Parents Refusing To Bring Diapers

[littlemissmuffet]

I would never allow a parent to come in my house and tell me how things are going to be done. I always think it's hilarious that these parents raise 1-2 kids and think they know it all. Sorry, but I've helped raise more kids over the years than you will ever have to deal with - I am far more experienced... and besides, it's my house, my rules

I would put a pull up over the underwear. When you are out of pull ups for the day, phone one of the parents to pick up. Repeat daily as needed. They are going to get tired of this real quick if they are only supplying 1-2 pull ups per day. ::

Keep advertising. Make cheap business cards and hand them out to everyone you see out and about with kids, leave them in local business and schools. Print some pull tab flyers and posters to post around your neighborhood and city. Put a sign outside of you home. Register your daycare on free daycare advertising sites like godaycare.com and daycarebear.com. Get a few t-shirts made with your business name and logo and wear them everywhere - grocery shopping, out for walks, etc. Check with your local schools if they keep lists of surrounding daycare providers for parents with younger kiddos. Place an ad in locla newspapers. Get your name, number and ad in the phonebook under "daycares". Register your daycare name with Google maps and businesses! There are MANY ways to advertise your business - think outside the box.

[cheerfuldom]

I would advertise profusely to be prepared to replace these kids. Then if I absolutely had to cave for financial reasons, I would buy cloth trainers and plastic pants myself to use in my home only. There is NO WAY I would let them run lose with just underwear. The plastic pants go on as soon as they step thru the door. I wouldnt even try to let them do underwear only.

I have also had a daycare girl completely potty trained, including naps here when she wasnt trained at home. It is possible.

Another thing is to limit drinks to what is healthy but not letting them fill up and pee all over the place.

I dont do rewards or anything for potty training but in this case, whatever it takes to keep them from going in random places.

I would also put a diaper or pull up on them (purchase cheap ones myself if I have to) so that we can still go outside for a longer period of time.

[MarinaVanessa]

You're right. I should probably just **** it up and get some plastic underwear and extras. I am very frustrated because my personal pride is hurt (I know, sensitive pregnancy hormones) because I am just now finding my backbone and I now have to put up with this crap because of money. I really do like these kids a lot, but the parents are making a very unreasonable request that goes directly against my policies. I feel like my summer is ruined now, because the whole summer will be spent trying to keep my house clean and running to the potty every 20 minutes. I feel bad for the other children in my care, and my own children. How can we play outside when these children cant stay dry for any period of time? I know I am venting right now and being kind of negative toward all of the responses- I'm sorry, I don't mean to be. I am just feeling very down right now about this whole situation and the money is a big issue. My goodness- the kids are not even trained at all at home! Do they really think that they will be trained in a fun, stimulating, group care environment? Just unreasonable!

I think we all understand that under these curcumstances when you're pretty much forced to do something that's against your grain and so you will be at least a little bitter, but don't let it beat you. Just remember that it'll only be temporary and as soon as you get a few new clients then you can say buh-bye to them "and don't let the door kit you in the @$$ on your way out". Think about how even though right now you have to put up with it you do have something to look forward to later ... handing them their 2 week termination notice.

[daycare]

I would never allow a parent to come in my house and tell me how things are going to be done. I always think it's hilarious that these parents raise 1-2 kids and think they know it all. Sorry, but I've helped raise more kids over the years than you will ever have to deal with - I am far more experienced... and besides, it's my house, my rules

I would put a pull up over the underwear. When you are out of pull ups for the day, phone one of the parents to pick up. Repeat daily as needed. They are going to get tired of this real quick if they are only supplying 1-2 pull ups per day. ::

Keep advertising. Make cheap business cards and hand them out to everyone you see out and about with kids, leave them in local business and schools. Print some pull tab flyers and posters to post around your neighborhood and city. Put a sign outside of you home. Register your daycare on free daycare advertising sites like godaycare.com and daycarebear.com. Get a few t-shirts made with your business name and logo and wear them everywhere - grocery shopping, out for walks, etc. Check with your local schools if they keep lists of surrounding daycare providers for parents with younger kiddos. Place an ad in locla newspapers. Get your name, number and ad in the phonebook under "daycares". Register your daycare name with Google maps and businesses! There are MANY ways to advertise your business - think outside the box.

I am with you!! what you do at home stays there and I do what works for me and the rest of the kids here.

I would be telling these parents sure you can bring them in underwear, not issues at all. I would ask them if they would bring pull-ups too. Place the pull-ups over the underwear.
If they won't bring pull-ups, then I have plastic pants and they will be used at my house.

Trust me when I tell you this.....when you have to hand the parents 2-3 bags of poopy pants and peed clothes at the end of each day, they will get it really quick.

I tell my parents two things..

1. No way will I subject the possibility of any child coming into contact with feces. Also the amount of time that it takes for me to clean up the children when they do have an accident will jeopardize the safety of the other children because of the lack of supervision that I can provide to the others. YOu cant be in two places at one time

2. plastic pants help the process of PT progress much quciker as kids do not like them at all and want them off. I have used this method with about 17 kids and it has worked wonders.

You can work with this family and say lets compromise you get to send them in underear; what you want and I get to keep all of the daycare kids safe by adding plastic pants; what I want. There ya go!! Win win....

[wdmmom]

Tell DCM & DCD that they have a few different options:

1.) Bring a package of pullups to keep at the daycare. You use at your discretion during awake and/or asleep hours until they get acclimated to potty training successfully during awake hours.

2.) Tell DCF that they will be required to purchase rubber pants to keep on over the undies in the event they have an accident, it can be contained a little better.

Explain to them that you know they are eager to get these kids trained, however, accident's are prone to happen and while some people don't consider urine a health hazard, you have to because of the other children in the house. It is a bacteria filled bodily fluid and it takes a lot of time, effort and energy to properly clean them up.

I had a family that thought the transition from pullups to undies was going to be easy. We had the child wear a pull up with his undies over (so he still felt like a big boy) for several weeks until he could use the potty on his own.

You can set a timer for about every 45 minutes and try that route but it honestly sounds to me like these parents are wanting you to potty train their kids.

If the parents aren't on board with your suggestions, you might have to **** it up and buy pullups yourself for a few weeks until they can get the hang of it.

[MarinaVanessa]

Keep advertising. Make cheap business cards and hand them out to everyone you see out and about with kids, leave them in local business and schools. Print some pull tab flyers and posters to post around your neighborhood and city. Put a sign outside of you home. Register your daycare on free daycare advertising sites like godaycare.com and daycarebear.com. Get a few t-shirts made with your business name and logo and wear them everywhere - grocery shopping, out for walks, etc. Check with your local schools if they keep lists of surrounding daycare providers for parents with younger kiddos. Place an ad in locla newspapers. Get your name, number and ad in the phonebook under "daycares". Register your daycare name with Google maps and businesses! There are MANY ways to advertise your business - think outside the box.

Yes, keep advertising. It's like I always say, no one thing will work ... you have to do a combination of things at the same time and that will eventually get you calls weekly even when you're not advertising. The one thing that I will say about Gooogle Maps and Google Business advertising is that you have to be willing to list your address on it. Many providers don't like this but this has been one of the best things that I have ever done. I then linked my website address to my Google Business listing to drive traffic to my website giving me a higher search placement. Doing this in combination has bumped my search placement to the first page in Google Maps when you search for daycare in my area and to the second page when doing a general serach for daycare in my area in google search ... for free.

If you need more ideas (not to toot my own horn here ) check out How to Advertise Your Daycare. Feel free to PM me too if you need help with anything from creating a website to submiting your link to search sites.

[Heidi]

I am with you!! what you do at home stays there and I do what works for me and the rest of the kids here.

I would be telling these parents sure you can bring them in underwear, not issues at all. I would ask them if they would bring pull-ups too. Place the pull-ups over the underwear.
If they won't bring pull-ups, then I have plastic pants and they will be used at my house.

Trust me when I tell you this.....when you have to hand the parents 2-3 bags of poopy pants and peed clothes at the end of each day, they will get it really quick.

I tell my parents two things..

1. No way will I subject the possibility of any child coming into contact with feces. Also the amount of time that it takes for me to clean up the children when they do have an accident will jeopardize the safety of the other children because of the lack of supervision that I can provide to the others. YOu cant be in two places at one time

2. plastic pants help the process of PT progress much quciker as kids do not like them at all and want them off. I have used this method with about 17 kids and it has worked wonders.

You can work with this family and say lets compromise you get to send them in underwear; what you want and I get to keep all of the daycare kids safe by adding plastic pants; what I want. There ya go!! Win win....

I would suggest the same. Underwear so they feel wet, but pullups over the top to protect your furniture and floors. Tell them it's a sanitation issue. If they only bring a pullup a day and they burn through it, just call them and very sweetly say "hey, I need one of you to come over and bring another pull up!" Then, put the rubber pants on until they get there.

[itlw8]

Target carries the thick undies though they are not thick enough. They can buy them online.

regular undies are for when they are completely trained and go by themselves

[My3cents]

In pretty sure they wouldn't go for that and term me.

Wow- I am surprised by this.

Who is in charge? Are you your own Boss? Do you own your business? It is your home or Center? Are you the responsible person that has to clean this mess up?

Do you have a policy/hand/Rule book that is clearly defined?

I have only read the responses up to this point but was going to light right into you from the first response.

No Family/Money is worth having clients make you feel this way!!! It is your home. It is for the sake of everyone's health and welfare. If you ask for diapers the parents need to comply. Simple- send the child home. Do not get into a heated debate over this- simply go to your potty training policies- and they should be clear and to the point. Leave no room for wishy washy or special. Your child has to be 6 weeks no accidents before underwear will be worn at all times during daycare and pull ups for nap are a must.

If you start operating your business on what the parents tell you of how it is going to be. Your headed for a downfall. Let them leave. They will learn fast that they had a good thing going. No one should put up with this.

I once had an interview tell me to let the diaper fill up nice and full because diapers are expensive and she couldn't afford to keep buying them. No way!!! I am not for you. Go somewhere else. Then after finding out how wonderful my food program was, when I asked what the child ate at home- mostly Ramon noodles. I think the child was like 6months old, if that.

I know and understand we need the clients- but at what point is enough enough. Backbone big time is needed here and don't be bullied into a wall that they will leave. They leave they leave. It is a lot of work to go and find another daycare- most parents don't want to do this when they know they have it good.

I hope I have turned on your light and you can think clearer now- parents have a way of making us 2nd guess ourselves and what we know to be right or the way that it is. Don't cave, be strong and most likely you will earn respect for sticking to what you know is right. If not- your not losing out. Find a new family that will be willing to follow your rules and respect you-
Ugh--- Best-

[My3cents]

You're right. I should probably just **** it up and get some plastic underwear and extras. I am very frustrated because my personal pride is hurt (I know, sensitive pregnancy hormones) because I am just now finding my backbone and I now have to put up with this crap because of money. I really do like these kids a lot, but the parents are making a very unreasonable request that goes directly against my policies. I feel like my summer is ruined now, because the whole summer will be spent trying to keep my house clean and running to the potty every 20 minutes. I feel bad for the other children in my care, and my own children. How can we play outside when these children cant stay dry for any period of time? I know I am venting right now and being kind of negative toward all of the responses- I'm sorry, I don't mean to be. I am just feeling very down right now about this whole situation and the money is a big issue. My goodness- the kids are not even trained at all at home! Do they really think that they will be trained in a fun, stimulating, group care environment? Just unreasonable!

hugs,
your not being unreasonable. Don't give in. You sound like a very wonderful daycare provider. Don't compromise yourself. Let them go and start advertising like crazy. You will find another family. They can either abide by your rules or find other daycare. I know money is tight- but it is not worth your health being pregnant. You will make it through. God doesn't give us more then we can handle- even if it feels like it at times. Hang tight and hold onto your backbone that you have worked so hard to build. You don't need this one more depresser to add to your stress- Give them the choice, bring diapers, your child is clearly not ready yet or we are done.

[MarinaVanessa]

Wow- I am surprised by this.

Who is in charge? Are you your own Boss? Do you own your business? It is your home or Center? Are you the responsible person that has to clean this mess up?

Do you have a policy/hand/Rule book that is clearly defined?

I have only read the responses up to this point but was going to light right into you from the first response.

No Family/Money is worth having clients make you feel this way!!! It is your home. It is for the sake of everyone's health and welfare. If you ask for diapers the parents need to comply. Simple- send the child home. Do not get into a heated debate over this- simply go to your potty training policies- and they should be clear and to the point. Leave no room for wishy washy or special. Your child has to be 6 weeks no accidents before underwear will be worn at all times during daycare and pull ups for nap are a must.

If you start operating your business on what the parents tell you of how it is going to be. Your headed for a downfall. Let them leave. They will learn fast that they had a good thing going. No one should put up with this.

I once had an interview tell me to let the diaper fill up nice and full because diapers are expensive and she couldn't afford to keep buying them. No way!!! I am not for you. Go somewhere else. Then after finding out how wonderful my food program was, when I asked what the child ate at home- mostly Ramon noodles. I think the child was like 6months old, if that.

I know and understand we need the clients- but at what point is enough enough. Backbone big time is needed here and don't be bullied into a wall that they will leave. They leave they leave. It is a lot of work to go and find another daycare- most parents don't want to do this when they know they have it good.

I hope I have turned on your light and you can think clearer now- parents have a way of making us 2nd guess ourselves and what we know to be right or the way that it is. Don't cave, be strong and most likely you will earn respect for sticking to what you know is right. If not- your not losing out. Find a new family that will be willing to follow your rules and respect you-
Ugh--- Best-

I think you may have just missed the part that she just termed another family over not following the policies and still has to replace them, losing this family on top of other family that she just terminated will put her into a financial hardship. She doesn't want to put up with them but needs their income and can't afford to lose them. I know that I wouldn't put up with this either but if terming a family meant that I would get behind on my bills, mortgage etc. then I would bite my tongue until I could first find a replacement and then I would terminate them vs possibly losing my home and then my business as well KWIM?

[SunshineMama]

Thank you ladies for all of the support, ideas, and encouragement. I am going to **** it up and do whatever I have to do- plastic pants and pull ups at my own expense if I have to, until I can replace these 2 if they are not potty trained by next week. If that doesn't work then I hope my advertising strategy will come through.

Marina-I'm going to check out that website ASAP! Thank you for sharing!

This is the big potty training weekend for this family, so hey, maybe all of my concerns will be in vain and they will come magically trained by next week. I have a fear though that they aren't going to do much and then just expect me to take the training wheels off and do it for them. I've caught this family in small lies (more like omissions) about illness, etc before.

My3Cents- On any other occasion, I would stand my ground, but I just termed a constantly sick boy for breaking my policy and if I lose these two kids too I will literally lose my car, my home, and everything else I have worked so hard for. It will be over $2,100 a month in income lost between the kid I termed and potentially terming these 2 so I just can't. (right now anyway) All I need is 1 replacement and I can scrape by, but missing the income from 3 kids would devastate my family

[My3cents]

Another idea for you - sorry I don't like plastic pants and I don't much care for pull ups other then for at night time.

I would the parents that if you refuse to bring diapers that I will buy them and bill you for them along with your weekly tuition.

Please go back and read Mrs.Muffets advice- she has been doing this for a very long time and she is right on!!! Don't negotiate- your house your rules. Being pregnant, its not good for you to be handling soils anymore then you have to, let along the other kids in your care. Health issue- and that is how you should put it to your parents. Health issue- sorry until dry for 6 weeks- we need to be in diapers or a pull up and those are provided by you and I need to have enough to be able to do my job.

I have my parents bring a sleeve of them and they know when I get low to refurbish the supply.

[skittles]

I have had one family in the past do this to me only they were not so open about it. Just one day they decided their almost 3 yr old son (2 1/2 yr old) was fully potty trained so they sent him in underware. Of course when I asked them about it they said he was fully potty trained at home and they were done with diapers, pull ups ect.. He had started to potty train but was far from being accident free. I knew explanation and arguing with this family would get me no where based on past issues with them. So I did get them to bring pull ups for nap. Every day after mom dropped off little guy a pull up went on and the underware went over the pull up. I did have to go out and purchase one bag of diapers per month. I would sill take him to the bathroom but his diapers stilled stayed on. Prior to mom's arrival each night the diaper would come off. So one day the mom dropped off her son late and said she had to change her son because he peed in the car. I'm like so I thought he was 100 percent potty trained at home. Which I figured out was a lie on their part as well because his clothes always had a faint urine smell. So I guess you could lie about it as long as the girls won't tell on you.

[LittleD]

Keep Positive!! Maybe they will catch on quick at your house!!

I had 2 yr old, who I thought was NO WHERE NEAR ready, whos mom said no more diapers. No PHB for me, so I just tossed a diaper over his undies/under his clothes. He had maybe 3 accidents the first wekk- then he was fine I was very pleasantly surprised! (And no going every 20 mins either)