The Myth of the Early Pick-up

[SilverSabre25]

Pick up the kids early, they said.

Have them ready by three, they said.

Well, I got 'em up from nap at 2:45 and had 'em ready to go by 2:55 and now's it's 3:25...and they're still here.

The request bugged me in the first place because if the doctor's appointment is at 4 why do they need picked up at three...and furthermore why do *I* need to get them ready? What's so hard about parents putting shoes and coats on their own offspring, especially when you have an HOUR to get someplace?

And WHY ARE THEY LATE?

Time to leave for my daughter's bus stop...guess dcm'll find us there. Or, you know, not...

[Soccermom]

Pick up the kids early, they said.

Time to leave for my daughter's bus stop...guess dcm'll find us there. Or, you know, not...

LOL Love this! ::

[SilverSabre25]

heh heh yeah it was "not". we're back from the bus and still no sign of dcm. it's 3:47. supposedly this appointment is at 4. Argh! dcm isn't even working today, so there's really no excuse.

[Soccermom]

Why do DCPS still send their DCKS to daycare when they are not even working?? It boggles my mind. I torture myself daily doing childcare in order to not have to send my kids to daycare and some parents take the day off and ship the kids to the babysitter....I don't get it.
I have a DCF like that too...

[crazydaycarelady]

Oh yeah, I get "I'll pick up early" all the time too. Then they show up at 5:20- I close at 5:30 - just because you aren't late doesn't mean you are early!

[sharlan]

I would rather parents show up unannounced then tell me that they're picking up early. I get it in my head that I'm off early for that child, then get bummed when it doesn't happen.

[daycare]

I hate hate hate hate this...

Soooo.. I told parents that if they tell me that they are changing their contracted times set and tell me to have their kids ready to go and don't show. I charge the $1.00 a min fee. Don't have me waste my time, I definitely don't waste yours.

[SilverSabre25]

Why do DCPS still send their DCKS to daycare when they are not even working?? It boggles my mind. I torture myself daily doing childcare in order to not have to send my kids to daycare and some parents take the day off and ship the kids to the babysitter....I don't get it.
I have a DCF like that too...

in (very slight) defense of this family, this time, they moved over the weekend and scam is unpacking and getting the house set up--I understand the kids being here in order to get that done faster and easier. i do not, however, understand the late pick up for a doctors appt. that's just odd. and a bit disrespectful.

defense side though, i do frequently haves these kids when one or both parents are off and while i don't mind, it does make me a bit sad...especially since those tend to he the days the parents pick up super late

[SilverSabre25]

I would rather parents show up unannounced then tell me that they're picking up early. I get it in my head that I'm off early for that child, then get bummed when it doesn't happen.

the worst part is that these are my only dcks today, too. they're still here...

[daymommy]

ugh, I hate when parents do that! I had one family that was notorious for it. At least once a week mom would say she'd be there to pick up early and he was ALWAYS the last to leave. "oh sorry i got busy doing, blah blah blah". I never wake kids from nap for this reason. If they're lucky I will watch for them and get their child up when they pull in the driveway, but otherwise they just have to wait while I get their child up when they get here.

[Crystal]

the worst part is that these are my only dcks today, too. they're still here...

I would charge them a late fee. That is just down right inconsiderate and rude.

[Country Kids]

I have some that are like this week after week. They tell me the time and then are always late. I stopped having the kids ready but the minute the parent arrives it "lets go, lets go, we are late. We need to be there right now!"

Why have to have your kids somewhere all the time if you cna't be on time?

[Blackcat31]

I go about my business as normal. If a parent says they are picking up early, I ask them to text or call when they are on their way. If they don't I assume they aren't coming early.

Silver~ I would absolutely be pretty mad at this point! How rude and disrespectful of this family.... I agree with Crystal and would be charging them a late fee.

[Lyss]

I would charge them a late fee. That is just down right inconsiderate and rude.

I agree as well! How rude! Maybe karma will strike and they'll be cranky tonight for DCPs as they've been woken up from nap early for apparently for no reason


One of my DCks was dropped off today with "Oh DCD is gonna pick up early today, he'll text you what time when he gets a break between meetings" So at 11am I get a text from DCD "be there @ 5! Thanks!" I guess 15 minutes earlier than normal is technically early but it's sure not the time I was hoping for! !

[SilverSabre25]

So they were finally picked up at 4:30...by dcd. This is a pretty normal pick-up time. I asked, with a raised eyebrow, "Doctor's appointment cancelled I take it?" and he said, "She didn't call you?!" and when I shook my head and said, "Nope. They've been ready since 3 as requested." he rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath (presumably about dcm not calling).

Guess what new policy is going in next year's handbook... "If you tell me that you'll pick up early and you don't, I reserve the right to charge a late fee if you don't call me beforehand." I think I may also add in something about "No, I won't get your kids ready before you get here; you need to get here with enough time for them to get ready as usual" but I don't know quite how to phrase it...any ideas?

I did go about our normal routine...bus, snack and then outside to play. It's about what I would have done even if they'd been picked up, so it wasn't too big a deal...just annoying. I'm glad you guys don't think I'm ridiculous for being annoyed and feeling like it's rude and disrespectful. Even though I have a hard time standing up to this family (they're my oldest...second family I ever took on), knowing that my feelings are right, so to speak, helps grow the back bone (even if I hesitate to apply it here...I'm learning to apply it to others so that's something at least).