Coming Back From Vacation, No Wonder I Want Out Of Daycare!

[MaritimeMummy]

Arrrgh, see, this is why I don't want to do this anymore. Because of the little things! Today is my first day back at it after a week's vacation. My only child coming today is my cousin's little guy. My cousin had marked "early', which always means before she goes to work, at 7am. She texted me this morning at around 5:30 and said that her son was going to be dropped off by her mother in law. I asked when that would be, she said she had no idea, probably between 7 and 7:20, "not much later than normal". It's now 8am and no sign! I could have been laying in bed cuddling my kids!

Oh, and then one of my other DCM's emailed me while I was on vacation and asked if it would be possible for her daughter to go from 3 days a week to 1 or 2, because her younger child is only 3 months old and I don't take children under 1 year, she works from home, and she wants to hire a mother's helper for in the house, and wants to save money by bringing her to me less, but she still wants her DD to keep coming here! I felt like saying, "you know what? don't even bother, keep her home, I don't want to inconvenience you..." but I told her that if I put her down to even 2 days, I would have to advertize for someone to come in to cover that 3rd day, and if I did that, I needed to replace her (because really, who brings their child to day care for one day a week? It doesn't happen often). So I would need to let her go and bring someone else in. Plus, I make it a personal rule to have no more than 3 day care kids on my attendance list, even if they overlap days. Anyway, she seemed okay with it, but we'll see.Honestly, I wouldn't mind if all the parents just magically pulled on their own from my day care. The only thing stopping me right now is the fact that i'd likely upset a few people and I don't want to do that! Aren't I a pushover? hahahah

[Soccermom]

I have a 3 day minimum so wether a DCK comes 1 day or 3, they pay for 3. It is crazy to have a DCK 1 day a week! Parents need to realize that good childcare is hard to find and you either pay or lose your spot.

It sounds like you have some pretty hard to deal with DCFs.

If you want out though, don't be afraid of making people mad. It is your life and your business and you shouldn't feel like you need to stay open to convenience others if this is not what you want to be doing.

How long have you been doing daycare for? Sometimes in the beginning it can be really rough until the DCPs finally push you over the edge and you start to stick up for yourself because you just can't take it anymore.

Being a pushover is the worse thing when it comes to daycare because if they smell fear, they will take full advantage of that. I closed once for an entire year because I just couldn't take the disrespect and all the crap. When I reopened I vowed to only deal with DCFs who respect me, my home and my family. I do Childcare on a 2-3 week trial basis and can term at any time in those weeks if things don't go well with either DCK or DCF.

I put a lot of rules in place as well and told myself I would stick to them and would not back down, if the DCF didn't like it they could leave. Late payment rules, late PU fees, 3 day min. , etc.

There are days when I love my job although there are still days when I want to throw in the towel but I try to tell myself that without the DCKS, money would be tight and I wouldn't be able to do the things I do with my own Kids.

((Hugs))

[DaisyMamma]

I have 2 different dck come 1 day a week. I dont mind at all. they are the best behaved kids. but everyone does it differently and if that doesnt work for you then say no. Dont ever feel bad saying no! Your business, your rules!

[MaritimeMummy]

Update: It's 9:20am. He just got here.

I don't blame my cousin. I guess her mother in law had DCB all night and my cousin worked all night, so she had no idea what kind of night DCB had. I guess he had been up at 4:30am and didn't go back to sleep but a phone call to either myself or to my cousin so she could relay to me would have been appreciated. Zero communication.

The families aren't difficult. they just forget that I'm not a babysitter! To be perfectly honest, I started the job hunt. I'm not aggressively searching, but if something comes up that floats my boat and justifies my leaving daycare, i will do it without hesitation. of course, that leaves me with the problem of giving them notice...

[SilverSabre25]

I feel your pain (although I didn't just get back from vacation :P) I expected one family over an hour ago and they JUST pulled in the driveway.