All At Once...Payments

[My4SunshineGirlsNY]

I have great families that have always paid on time and are respectful and all of a sudden this week 2 families short me! One being my sister-in law...she called me on Friday telling me they shorted her pay at work and it was a BIG mistake, that they only deposited $55 instead of $550. I want to trust her on that, but a part of me is sceptical as last month she gave me a bounced check (first one EVER in a year and a half). She didn't pay me a dime this week and said she would catch it up on Tuesday when they are "supposed" to fix the error.

Then another mom came in on Friday afternoon and gave me $100 and said I'm short this week...blah blah blah. She owes me $150/week for her 2 girls. While I got most of it, she still owes $50... (meanwhile I have 2 of her girls for 11 hours/day and feed them both breakfast, snack, lunch, snack and one girl EATS!! that's only $75/week per child and I have to feed them on that and provide crafts)

so I was out $175 this week and had already scheduled payment on 2 of my larger bills that went through and I couldn't stop them...so now I have bank fees and NO money.

Ugg...these families have been great payers and awesome so a part of me says I shouldn't be mad BUT I am in a way as I had to scrape change to put in my gas tank. Had I known in advance, I would have paid one of those bills next week, but they sprung it on me at the last min. I could be firm and let them know I'm not happy, but where will that get me? Out of a job? With this being a very first for the one mom and 2nd for my SIL, I don't want them to feel they need to pack and leave.

I love what I do, I really do...I couldn't trade being with my kids and entertaining the others while their parents work....but why does the business part of this have to be so stressful and why do some feel the provider can wait? I understand things come up, but I have been a paying parent to daycare before and to me, their payment comes first..they have my child(ren) all day, I could never put them on the back burner. I have to buy their lunches/crafts..how can I do this if they don't pay me!!?? I'm sure they will fix this, it's just a bit frustrating as this was NOT a good week for this, especially when I just let one child go.

[My4SunshineGirlsNY]

Oh and forgot to add..I seen the parent of the 2 girls that owes me $50 at the park today as her girls and my girls were meeting their cheer coaches and she bought her girls a hot dog/chips/drink....meanwhile I am so broke I couldn't afford to get my girls anything. I wasn't near her so I didn't make it a point to go up to her and ask for if she had my money...I was observing from a distance and just shaking my head wondering "why?"....it's amazing how some parents find this money for extras but can't find it for me.

I'm hoping she squares up with me in the morning..she's always been really good so I hope she makes it right.

[professionalmom]

I know how frustrating this can be. BTDT!!!! I sure hope you have late payment fees set up in your contract. If you do, charge, charge, charge away. After all, you are getting fees charged from your bank, you should be getting fees paid by these clients.

Why not tell them something like, "Since you could not pay me on time, which made me late on my bills, I no longer have the money to buy groceries for your child for this week. Please send your child with a sack breakfast, lunch, and 2 snacks. Oh, and I couldn't get the craft supplies needed for this week, so here's the list of supplies you need to bring with your child next week. Once you are current on your account, you will no longer be required to supply these things. Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time."

Would I ever have the guts to say this? No. But I would want to. And I'd bet they would figure out a way to get you YOUR money. Remember, it is your money. They owe it. You earned it. Period. It's yours. If they are not paying, they are stealing - your time, your resources like food and crafts, your self-respect.

[boysx5]

that is one thing I hate about this job having to asked for my money but I have gotten good at it no more Mr. nice guy

[My4SunshineGirlsNY]

No, I never had late fees in my contract with them...I know I need to add it, I have had these families before I even got registered, when I first started child care back up a couple of years ago.

I guess I haven't added late fees especialy for these families for a couple of reasons...1, I have never had an issue with them being late or not paying until recently. 2, I always fear if I do this they will leave my daycare because around here there always seems to be someone else that will do it for cheaper and never have late fees. Sort of feel like I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't situation.

The mom of the 2 girls didn't pay me this morning either...she mentioned checking on getting money out of her retirement. She is split from her husband and her husband hasn't paid her child support in one month because he is temp. out of work. I am understanding as she has been an awesome payer right along and NEVER uses any of her non paid days even if the girls are not here...it was just a bad week for this to happen.

[gbcc]

This week a parent bounced $410 check. Then brought me $276 towards the money. In the meantime I now have bounced payments just like you and I'm still missing all that money.

Come September when I do the new contracts I want to change it to pre pay but I don't know how to go about that with current parents. They would need to make a double payment to start the pre pay billing.

[momma2girls]

This week a parent bounced $410 check. Then brought me $276 towards the money. In the meantime I now have bounced payments just like you and I'm still missing all that money.

Come September when I do the new contracts I want to change it to pre pay but I don't know how to go about that with current parents. They would need to make a double payment to start the pre pay billing.

I had to change my pay day to Monday, instead of at the end of the week. I moved, so there weren't any double payments.
Another thing I had to do is, add this to my contract- if not paid in full for the week, late fees will be assessed per day inc. Sat. and SUn. I have $10.00 per day. I used to have $5.00 per day, but too many families would pay this!!!! Good luck!!!

[My4SunshineGirlsNY]

This week a parent bounced $410 check. Then brought me $276 towards the money. In the meantime I now have bounced payments just like you and I'm still missing all that money.

Come September when I do the new contracts I want to change it to pre pay but I don't know how to go about that with current parents. They would need to make a double payment to start the pre pay billing.

I have been thinking about this pre-pay as well...but like you I don't want parents to double pay because I know they can't afford that. I take a week Vac. in Aug. unpaid so maybe I will switch it then so they are not double paying.

[momma2girls]

I have been thinking about this pre-pay as well...but like you I don't want parents to double pay because I know they can't afford that. I take a week Vac. in Aug. unpaid so maybe I will switch it then so they are not double paying.

Yes, this is the perfect time to do it!!

[professionalmom]

I had to change my pay day to Monday, instead of at the end of the week. I moved, so there weren't any double payments.
Another thing I had to do is, add this to my contract- if not paid in full for the week, late fees will be assessed per day inc. Sat. and SUn. I have $10.00 per day. I used to have $5.00 per day, but too many families would pay this!!!! Good luck!!!

Easiest way to word it: $XX will be assessed PER CALENDAR DAY UNTIL your account is current, including fees.