Parent: 1 Backbone 0

[WDW]

Okay, so it's a lot higher score to parents... but... LOL

I have a DCM who works 8 to 4. I have her on a 7:30 to 4:30 schedule... she has been 15 to 20 minutes late 3 times in the past couple of weeks. Today, I am closing early to go meet with my child's teacher and she has known this for at least a month. She comes in this morning and asks me if I will bring DCB to the school with me and she will just meet me there.. she said she has left work early several times the past few days and needs to stay until 4 today. I'm so embarrassed that I said yes (had two other parents here as well). I should have said 1. NO. 2. You have known for weeks I was closing early today, you leaving early other days is NOT MY PROBLEM. 3. If you have been off early so many days why have you been so late to daycare lately?

Am I over-reacting (in my head)?

[DaisyMamma]

You absolutely should have said no.

[bgmeyers]

I would contact her today and tell her that it will NOT work for you. She has had plenty of time to make other arrangements.
Tell her that she caught you off guard this morning and this will not work for you.
I hope you are charging her for the late pick ups!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would contact her today and tell her that it will NOT work for you. She has had plenty of time to make other arrangements.
Tell her that she caught you off guard this morning and this will not work for you.
I hope you are charging her for the late pick ups!

Ditto this!!!!

[rhymia1]

I agree with the pp, I would call her and tell her she needs to get to your house on time. I also agree about late fees.
I know it may have been awkward with the other clients present, but if I were them it might seem as though your giving special treatment to the other client ie: why do I have to pick up early but Mary gets her child driven to the school?!"

[WDW]

I agree with the pp, I would call her and tell her she needs to get to your house on time. I also agree about late fees.
I know it may have been awkward with the other clients present, but if I were them it might seem as though your giving special treatment to the other client ie: why do I have to pick up early but Mary gets her child driven to the school?!"

I had that thought too.. she does work at the school.. which is about 6 houses from mine... I don't charge late fees until I "close" so she doesn't get charged until she's after close time. That will be changing with new contracts though I do believe.

[countrymom]

I would call her and tell her that she caught you off guard and that you can't take her child with you. Seriously, this makes me mad. Why is it that I can't see my kids teachers without bring others with me, but its ok that they can.

[littlemissmuffet]

On a regular day I charge $1/minute late fee. On days that I close early for appointments, important meetings, etc I charge a $5/minute late fee. If a parent is exceptionally late and I miss an appointment I wouldn't hesitate to terminate if there were other (even slight) issues. I HATE being late and I HATE it when others are.

I have learned over the years to reply to almost every question with "I will have to get back to you on that" because way too many times I have been caught off guard and said yes to people when I really should have said no. By saying you will get back to them, you are given an oppurtunity to really consider your answer, options and how you will phrase telling someone "no".

Now that you have had some time to think it over and you regret saying yes, I agree with those who said to call her and let her know you changed your mind. When she picks up ask her politely to not put you in this kind of position again, that you gave ample notice and her leaving early on other days had nothing to do with you and should not affect you.

It never ceases to blow my mind the kinds of ridiculous requests parents ask of us... but what's worse is when providers agree to them. Put your foot down!

[littlemissmuffet]

Also, another word of advice - never tell a parent what your appointments are for. Had she not known what this was for she very well may have never asked you to bring the child with her. She assumes this appointment isn't important, so she thinks it's fine if her kid tags along.

[WDW]

Also, another word of advice - never tell a parent what your appointments are for. Had she not known what this was for she very well may have never asked you to bring the child with her. She assumes this appointment isn't important, so she thinks it's fine if her kid tags along.

I agree with both of your posts.. I screwed up and I know it. For the record, I didn't tell any of them what this appointment was for, but she works at the school so she knew on her own. I have decided I am going to take DCB down there with me, and talk to her tomorrow and tell her that I was caught off guard and I won't be doing that again. I am also adopting the policy someone listed above about being late on an appointment/early close day. I like that, and I need it.

[littlemissmuffet]

I agree with both of your posts.. I screwed up and I know it. For the record, I didn't tell any of them what this appointment was for, but she works at the school so she knew on her own. I have decided I am going to take DCB down there with me, and talk to her tomorrow and tell her that I was caught off guard and I won't be doing that again. I am also adopting the policy someone listed above about being late on an appointment/early close day. I like that, and I need it.

Ugh. Right, I forgot that she works at the school. What a way to take advantage!! Anyways, I'm glad you are going to correct the situation and speak with her tomorrow. I haven't had any lates since I implemennted the $5/minute late fee and let parents know that being late could also result in termination (getting a psecialist appointment in my area can take YEARS). I hope the conversation goes well!