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Oh I would be refusing him in a heartbeat. I have a parent who is extremely inconsiderate, pulls things like this weekly, I stood up to her and she freaked out on me and accused me of being inconsiderate and difficult to deal with, she tried to pull the ol', "I've been with you since before you were an approved home day care so I should get some leniency" trick. I was so furious I couldn't respond right away (this was via email). And it's' actually a good thing I didn't respond because she ended up emailing me again apologizing and agreeing that she was not following my contract and that I had every right to ask what I was asking.
Parents just do NOT get that we are running a business. We care for their kids and in most cases we love them, but at the end of the day it's a business, and this is our career. We do not work for free, and there are rules like any business. I don't know why that is so hard for them to get, but it is. I mean, of course if they are running late and it's unavoidable, I am not going to just sit their child outside at their regular pick up time and forget about them...it just stirs my blood.
The other day, my cousin's husband was late picking up their son, who I care for. 6pm is my close time, if they call to let me know they will be late I charge $10 per hour. If they do not call, I charge $10 for every 15 minutes (which is still pretty lenient). Anyway, I got no phone call from him but he came in at 6:07 and apologized profusely and handed me a $10 right then. That is the way it should be, compliant parents who need no reminders. It's SO awkward having to remind parents of your policies, especially when it comes to money!Comment
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No money this morning. I took him because it was 5 am and I was groggy. Shame on me. I texted her just a minute ago asking if it was in the diaper bag (it's not, I checked but I gave her the benefit of the doubt.) If she doesn't respond in 30 minutes I'm going to have to come pick him up.
AND HE HASN'T HAD WIPES IN A WEEK!Comment
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Change your rates to a flat rate with contracted hours, and it if it is a drop in or rotating schedule charge a lot more- you most likely can't put anyone else in that time spot. Explain to your parents that you only have so many slots and need to be able to make a steady income. Charge if she comes or does not come for any reason- Anything over her contracted hours is more- and explain to her one last time that it is embarrassing for you to have to ask for late fees, please come cash in hand and call asap. Hope this helps you- your worth it, your time and everything that goes into running a well operated daycare is worth it. This advice was given to me early on and it took me a while to wrap myself around it. Sometimes it is easier then others and when you have parents that appreciate all that you do- once well established, you can decide if you want to be lenient about your rules- because you know who is taking advantage and who is not.Comment
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I am sorry you are having this happen to you and I am sure you don't need or want to hear all the things you should have done.....buuuuuut, next time (if she dares) tell her to NOT even bother bringing the child in the morning without ALL money that is owed to you.
I would personally want the money at the time of pick up when late, but if she doesn't have it then, I would ABSOLUTELY make it clear that she cannot drop off in the morning until she pays the late fee for late pick up and I might have even added a late fee for the late pick up fee not being paid the night before.
So anyways, since you already have him, I would tell mom that she is NOT getting any more services until ALL fees and payments are paid in full.
Hope you get your money.
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I've made my decision that I am giving her my term notice and I am not taking any more kids. He just broke my daughters play kitchen that she got for her first birthday to the point where it is irreparable.
And she threw in my face that shes a single working mom and forgets stuff sometimes. Well, I'm a married work at home mom juggling 2 kids, being paid less than 2$ an hour and up at 5 am for YOU.
However, I told her yesterday it would be 15$ and to bring it when she picked him up. When she didnt have it at pick up she said shed bring it in the morning. She had all day yesterday to put 15$ in her purse. When you're a working mom, isn't child care your #1 concern?
I dont know. I am tired of people playing me for an idiot and then making me feel like the bad guy because I don't work for free. Child care is HARD. It's hard when this little person takes over my house destroying stuff, hits my daughter and breaks her toys. It's hard being up at 5 am and then dealing with thrashing tantrums because hes mad that he has to come to daycare. UGH just UGH.Comment
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Oh boohoo. I am so tired of hearing that excuse. My mom was a single working mom my entire life, raising two kids. So was my mother-in-law. Neither of them EVER used that as an excuse for ANYTHING. LIFE IS HARD, GROW UP AND DEAL WITH IT.
I am so sorry you're going through this, poot. I hope you will not allow anything like this to happen again - unfortunately you can't let parents "get away" with anything these days because they will end up taking it way too far. Term her and carry on.
Running a daycare is difficult, but it's MUCH LESS difficult when you enforce your rules and stop feeling guilty. Your clients problems are not yours. That doesn't make you heartless - it makes you a successful business owner.Comment
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Chalk this up to a lesson learned. I personally don't give two hoots if you are single or married. Money is money, it is all green, and the point is you owe money and you need to pay it. I am sick of hearing excuses from parents. I am a little brash, but after 25 years in this business I have had to get a back bone. It is hard not to take things personally but when it comes to my kids and my money you don't mess with me. I am sure she is getting paid, so should you.
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An update from this morning?
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She paid me yesterday. I had texted her and told her to pay me or come pick her kid up by 12. She paid me.
She picked him up and was out of uniform at 4:00 on the dot. Thus she had been off of work long enough to go home, shower, change and do her hair. I think she was making a point because normally she picks up early and is ALWAYS in uniform which means she comes straight from work.
Tomorrow is his last day here and then he goes to dads for the month. She will get her term notice then and will have 5 weeks to find new care. He head butted me today when I picked him up while thrashing and the right side of my face/cheek area is bruising. Husband pointed that out just a bit ago.
I have terrible luck with this business! I'm 2 for 2 on the bad scale! UGH.Comment
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How are you doing now?Comment
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