Why Do I Feel Bad? Should I?

[crazydaycarelady]

I started some new kids today, a 3yo and a 15mo. They'll be coming for 4 hours per day 4 days per week (originally told 3 days per week.) I won't have to give them lunch any of the days. Anyway I had told them I would charge $35/day. My policy is $54/day for 2 kids for anything over 4 hours. They will be right at 4 hours. When we talked about payment today the dcd thought it was gonna be $30/day but I clarified it was $35/day. Now I feel bad and am questioning if I should have just gone with the $30/day. I am such a softie (****er), they are young parents, they are paying me all up front out of student loan money and dcm is in college.

They are still getting a good deal right?

[familyschoolcare]

Do you have a hourly rate?

What would you have charged if it was 2 hours a day?

[daycarediva]

I would have charged (although this varies greatly on location) up to five hours under age 2 $20 (half day rate) and age 2+ up to five hours $17.50 (again... ) so $37.50/day. I no longer feel bad about my rates. I know that sounds mean, and I do help when I can but not on a regular basis like that. I believe it sells yourself short.

[e.j.]

If your regular rate is $54 and you're charging them $35, I'd say you have nothing to feel bad about. I would think anything below the regular rate is a good deal!

[crazydaycarelady]

If they were both here for 2 hours it would be $20. I only thought about charging less when I realized they would not even need lunch here. I just need to get over it. I am a family trying to raise my kids also.

[JenNJ]

It comes down to this: You can only worry about your family. If the situation does not work for them, they will need to find a cheaper alternative.Do not sacrifice an opportunity bc of someone else's issues.

[DaisyMamma]

If your regular rate is $54 and you're charging them $35, I'd say you have nothing to feel bad about. I would think anything below the regular rate is a good deal!

Absolutely. They are still taking up a spot. It's not like you can find someone else to come in after they leave and pay the $19 you are missing out on.

[laundrymom]

They had children, came to your business for a service that you are giving them a huge discount on, and you feel guilty because of what money they are using to pay for childcare for children they decided to have? Do you feel guilty that I used my vacation money to pay for my new tires? Or my cable bill money for sushi? Then don't stress over what funds they pay you with :-) they made that decision. You didn't.

[crazydaycarelady]

Haha.....okay.....especially considering dcm is going to school to be a pharmacist and will likely make 3-4x what I make when she graduates!