Scammed On My First Kid

[Southern Mama]

Oh there is no way i would have even taken the kid in the first place from the sound of that.

You are SO right... *hangs my head in shame*

[Southern Mama]

Miss Elizabeth,

So sorry your first experience was so bad, but I believe in learning something new every day, and lets talk about it, because there are many lessons to learn here.

Lesson #1- Always follow you instincts on issues.
Lesson #2- Memorize Lesson #1
Lesson #3- Your drive the enrollment process, not the DCP!
Lesson #4- No one receives care until you have a completed application process, contact info, and acknowledged the acceptance of potential applicants; info on DCK regarding allergies, medical history, etc...!
Lesson #5- No one starts to receive care until they agree to your fees and payment process. Also must demonstrate an ability to pay!
Lesson #6- Deposits and first week of care already deposited in your bank account.
Lesson #7- DCP that comes to you without a reference from someone you trust needs to be vetted, background check, credit check, etc... this is what an application fee should pay for and easy to do using Internet.
Lesson # ....

I could go on, but this is enough. In your posting, it is clear you knew this was the wrong way to do it, but you did not take control and allowed the woman to manipulate you, so please remember this experience and learn from it. Thank god she only beat you for two days care! This type of person could have also done a slip and fall on your property to instigate a law suit too!
To remember this experience write down all that went wrong and then summarize it and use it as a score card when reviewing future candidates to see if your next DCP reminds you of this woman!!!

Good luck!

Big Lou

{{{{hugs}}}} I am sorry that happened to you.

Sometimes it takes a really crappy experience to teach us a REALLY valuable lesson.

Hang in there.

Ugh! You make me happy my nut didnt show. She wanted to drop her 10 mo old off with me one day too. I was like what kind f a parent does that without meeting me first?! Good luck to you.

You did learn a hard lesson OP but at least you learned it. There are, sadly, many providers that deal with these type of parents for months and never stand up for themselves. A friend of a friend kept a sibling set for over a year with NO payment! I dont know how this went on so long but goodness sakes, at least you put a stop to it quickly. For your own sake and future of your business, please never take a child that you do not have full emergency contact information on! That was the most alarming thing to me....if something would have happened to this girl, it doesnt sound like you knew who to call and that type of thing.

Thanks y'all! I definitely learned a lesson! As much as I want to have even one child enrolled, I need to follow through with my procedures. I made them for a reason! ALL forms filled out, fees and tuition paid and cleared, and I've already updated my handbook to include a "No personal checks" policy. Advance cash, money order, paypal and eventually MMK only for me. I need to listen to my gut and put my foot down in these types of situations. Live and learn huh?