Do You Charge or Not

[My3cents]

How do you guys handle late fees that are really beyond parent control. They are doing some major, major construction in my area that are causing parents to run later then normal.

It is very easy to be stuck waiting for 30 min. or so. The school by this is up in arms because kids can get stuck on the bus for an hour! Yesterday buses where running an hour late to stops. My one friend said the traffic was backed up a almost 3/4 a mile. Busses where arriving early at stops today so they wouldn't get stuck which didn't help because kids weren't ready.

The only other way around this is about a 30 min drive so either way parents would be running late.

you know your parents and you know who truly is stuck in traffic and who uses this BS line. I am lenient unless it effects somewhere I have to go, or a parent that is pulling this crud over and over again. If I have to be somewhere my parents know ahead of time.

Inform your parents that the buses are getting stuck in traffic so they are arriving early to avoid this, please try to make sure your child is here a bit earlier so they don't miss the bus. Sorry for the inconvenience but no one can help road work at this time and we are all just going to have to get through it until it is finished. When it is finished send home a note that drop off and pick up can resume at the regular times now that road work is finished. Not only do I send home a note for little things like this but I also post a note on the door so that it is in the parents face and I do verbal too.

[My3cents]

If they left work a little early and made every effort to be on time I wouldn't charge. That would include a phone call well before closing saying they were stuck again. We have huge construction problems in my city for months each year and my families sometimes will start or finish work early to avoid some of it.

Leaving work early is not always an option for parents. Asking this of parents is not realistic either. No work, no job, no payment for me.

I just find you have to be a little accommodating for things like this. It is out of everyone's control and a temporary thing. Hopefully.

[JenNJ]

I wouldn't charge my late fee, but I wouldn't do it for free either.

I figure that each family has a minimum of 2 adults who care for the kids and emergency contacts. This is the time for parents to use those favors. One parents goes into work early and leaves early, the other goes in late and stays late. The one who goes in later drops off and the one who leaves earlier picks up.

If they can't arrange that, I would charge an extended day rate vs. my $1 a minute late fee. So maybe $5 an hour payable if any part of that hour is used.

I know it isn't their fault, but it isn't yours either. And you deserve to be compensated for your time. Working for free just builds resentment IMO.

[Country Kids]

Thanks for everyone replys!

I have 3 sets of parents that come this way from work and the way they work its not a go in early type (shift work).

All my parents have thanked me alot for understanding so that means so much to me!

Now I have to figure a new one out-. I have parents arriving now before kids are getting off the bus. The bus is anywhere from 20-45 min late and parents are now here waiting for kids.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

Put 'em to work! here can you sweep the front porch while your waiting? Would you mind wiping off the table? Dishes anyone? No, seriously, I would have some ice tea and water waiting .. possibly at an outside table, where they can hang out talk and wait for their kidlets

[Country Kids]

Well I have had a few go do errands which I really don't mind as I don't know how long it will be. I'm in the play area with the other kiddos so I can't really be entertaining.

A few have been late to sports/practices and such because of the bus schedule.

[Rachel]

I gave my parents 3 "free passes," each worth 15 minutes. They didn't take advantage, in fact only one parent was late the whole year, it was only 5 minutes, and it was because the bus he was on broke down and the whole bus had to get off and wait for another bus to pick them up. On the contract they have to sign if they use a free pass and the date. I figure that covers "things happen" but not "well I know I always hit traffic here, but I'll just use that as an excuse"

[DaisyMamma]

How do you guys handle late fees that are really beyond parent control. They are doing some major, major construction in my area that are causing parents to run later then normal.

It is very easy to be stuck waiting for 30 min. or so. The school by this is up in arms because kids can get stuck on the bus for an hour! Yesterday buses where running an hour late to stops. My one friend said the traffic was backed up a almost 3/4 a mile. Busses where arriving early at stops today so they wouldn't get stuck which didn't help because kids weren't ready.

The only other way around this is about a 30 min drive so either way parents would be running late.

Honestly I don't see how you could charge while all of this is going on. That really stinks!

[lovemykidstoo]

Thanks for everyone replys!

I have 3 sets of parents that come this way from work and the way they work its not a go in early type (shift work).

All my parents have thanked me alot for understanding so that means so much to me!

Now I have to figure a new one out-. I have parents arriving now before kids are getting off the bus. The bus is anywhere from 20-45 min late and parents are now here waiting for kids.

Is it possible for these parents to pick up their children right from the school during this time? The up to an hour late picking up would definately not work for me (even though I understnad it's not their fault really) because I have my own kids to run around after work. Is it possible for whomever is on their pickup list to pick up the children on time? I understand it would be difficult to get out of work early for the parents, but maybe grandma or grandpa?