Thinking About Pulling The Plug.....

[Blackcat31]

and as nannyde has said in the past. you won't get their attention until you attach money to it.... Guess I need to give this a shot........

That ONLY works if the money means anything to the parents.

If your DCP's are well off and don't care about cost, then attaching a fee to things isn't going to teach them anything and it surely won't detour them from behaving a certain way.

You will just find yourself with more spending money and parents who still don't abide by your policies.

[daycare]

That ONLY works if the money means anything to the parents.

If your DCP's are well off and don't care about cost, then attaching a fee to things isn't going to teach them anything and it surely won't detour them from behaving a certain way.

You will just find yourself with more spending money and parents who still don't abide by your policies.

very true for some of these parents, but most of my parents are very put off by fees.
See one thing about the area I live in is that it is very and I mean VERY superficial.

These moms rather have more money for their botox than give to me. Trust me I have been told these exact words.

You know those shows "house wives of xyz" well imagine one of them being your DCP.......that is what I deal with daily

[My3cents]

I am not understanding how these parents are having these high demands but yet don't see how they have a responsibility in making sure those demands are met.

You aren't hired help. You aren't their personal nanny.

For them to "demand" specific things for a child care program and then not do their part is utterly rediculous.

I also don't think it has anything to do with money. I've worked with plenty of parents with money and they still do their part as parents.

Maybe that should be your minimal requirement when interviewing from now on......pass on any parent who doesn't see that they have a personal responsibility to make sure their child is given their attention as a priority.

Sorry you are dealing with this. Parents definitely have a way of making this job much harder than it needs to be.

I have seen parents with no money, dig for the deepest for the child and I have seen parents with money not bother for the child. I agree about the money not having anything to do with it.

Then again I think I have seen it all. I am lucky I have parents that truly care, good clients to work with right now. When I worked at a Center years ago I worked with crappy parents. The only difference between the two are that I interview my clients and pick who I want to work with, before I took who came in. I agree that you should filter out your clients more when interviewing. Tweak your program as you go and learn. I am still learning new things because we are working with people that are multi faceted. What is important to one is not to another.

[Country Kids]

*clapping*


I am always at a loss when parents say they didn't have time. Um, I have 4 children, in bachelors degree classes, take additional classes for state requirements, work 60+ hours a week, etc etc etc.....

Just this morning I got "We didn't have time for breakfast or to change so can you give him a little something now, here are his clothes.?" No. Breakfast is earlier than your drop off. Hand back clothes, you can change him. Get up earlier and plan for your day.

I personally know it can be done! I worked one time (outside the home) and had to be at work by 5:30-. I had my child up, fed, dressed and ready for the day. Yes, they ate breakfast again because they were ready by then, yes they took a good nap, and yes there was a definent bedtime routine. Was it easy, no but we made it through. There were nights I did this by myself as my husband would work 12 hour shifts at night. So some times I may only seem him an hour a day!

[My3cents]

thanks so much..... and thank you all for the advice....

thinking about everything eveyone has said, I do think that the parents have gotten laxed. We just got done with having a lot of time off from the holiays, then when everyone came back kids were all sick. some days I only had two kids in care. This would really be the first week where things were some what normal. No days off and no kids out sick.

I think that me speaking up and brining everyone back on board is what needs to happen.

my kids have been sick too here and there. I just go on with what I have planned for the day. If I can I will update when the child comes back but if I can't we move forward. Even though the kids are back, some are still not up to par so we slow things down and work around that.

I agree with you, speak up and gather everyone in again. When things are not working out for me, I take a step back and see what I can do that will help make it work again. I often come here for helps and get great advice, even if I don't want to hear it sometimes. I know the peeps here are in my corner and looking out for my best interest. Grateful for this forum I am!lovethis

[countrymom]

have you tried a whole week of not doing anything. No program and then see if it makes a difference. See if the children ask for it, see if the parents ask for it. We can all give our opinions but maybe if you took it all away and go from there.

[mom2many]

daycare, I totally understand your frustration and have had some great parents that are totally on top of making sure their child has what they need here every single day and others that seem so busy with their own lives & careers that they forget to bring something basic like shoes!

It happens rarely, but it does happen, so I can imagine how difficult it would be to have some parents remember to bring the extras that are required for field trips! However, like pps mentioned...it is what they signed up for, so it's not like it is a big surprise and it's their responsibility to make sure their child has what they need.

I know what it is like to send out notices, post things, send emails etc and still have parents "forget".

Now whenever someone forgets something, I have parents simply leave the item on the bench on my covered porch, where I keep all of the kids bags. This way I can retrieve it later and it never disrupts our routine.

[daycare]

have you tried a whole week of not doing anything. No program and then see if it makes a difference. See if the children ask for it, see if the parents ask for it. We can all give our opinions but maybe if you took it all away and go from there.

yes, over the summer somtimes there are days that it gets so hot I have had to do a week of nothing. The kids go nuts and the parents complain because the kids are so pent up with energy that their behavior goes out the window here and at home....

[daycare]

daycare, I totally understand your frustration and have had some great parents that are totally on top of making sure their child has what they need here every single day and others that seem so busy with their own lives & careers that they forget to bring something basic like shoes!

It happens rarely, but it does happen, so I can imagine how difficult it would be to have some parents remember to bring the extras that are required for field trips! However, like pps mentioned...it is what they signed up for, so it's not like it is a big surprise and it's their responsibility to make sure their child has what they need.

I know what it is like to send out notices, post things, send emails etc and still have parents "forget".

Now whenever someone forgets something, I have parents simply leave the item on the bench on my covered porch, where I keep all of the kids bags. This way I can retrieve it later and it never disrupts our routine.

I did think about this idea...I dont have a covered porch, but I can have them leave it in the front seat of my car or have them leave it in a plastic bag on the door. I have done that in the past where a kid forgot their lovey and the parent came and placed it on the door knob, sent me a text to let me know it was there. Then when I had a break in our schedule I went to get it our my asst did.

It ssoooooooooooo hard for a child to see their parents again in the morning and have to say good bye twice. UGH I hate it

[daycare]

wanted to update on this..


So I took your guys advice and sent out a letter to all of parents and I got back a great response.

I told them all that I know things have been crazy with all of the holidays and the kids all out being sick the past several weeks.

I explained that I know things can get hetic, but in order to assure everyone that I could continue to run our program smoothly that I needed everyone back on track.

I then went on to say that I never want to be the bad guy, but if any child shows up with out the correct supplies that I will send them back home for the day or if they can get back here before 9am, they will be able to join us. As well as told them all about the fees that would be charged for not having proper items.....

3 parents emailed me with deep apologies telling me that they love everything that I do and will be sure to get back on track.

One mom called me and really just made my day. She even booked me an interview for last and final full time spot.

I am happy that I talked to you guys about it and found some way to get everyone back. Sometimes I just need that kick to remind me what to do to get back on top of everything.....

[wdmmom]

I wouldnt pull the plug, for the kids sake. but i would start doing less for your own sanity. perhaps you are stretching yourself too thin with all the extras and such.

if clothing is the main issue, i would invest in basic sweatpants, sweatshirts for use during daycare. change them back to their regular clothes before sending them home. you only need a couple pairs just for emergency and i know Walmart sells garanimal sweats as low as $1 a piece. to me, it would be worth it. i would also round up some sneakers. i did the same thing this year with snow clothing and most of the items i rounded up were given free from various places.....or purchased second hand and very cheaply. it was worth it to me to not have these issues with the parents.

if it is lunch and other necessities, i would make up fees for everything and add it to the next bill when parents forget and then provide the item myself for the day.

Yep!!! Hit up Walmart, 2nd hand stores or garage sale and get yourself a stock of clothing, coats and shoes.

When it comes to a fee for something, have them pay on Friday for the upcoming week. No pay on Friday, no care on field trip day. And anyone needing a sack lunch, $5 fee for you to provide.

[My3cents]

wanted to update on this..


So I took your guys advice and sent out a letter to all of parents and I got back a great response.

I told them all that I know things have been crazy with all of the holidays and the kids all out being sick the past several weeks.

I explained that I know things can get hetic, but in order to assure everyone that I could continue to run our program smoothly that I needed everyone back on track.

I then went on to say that I never want to be the bad guy, but if any child shows up with out the correct supplies that I will send them back home for the day or if they can get back here before 9am, they will be able to join us. As well as told them all about the fees that would be charged for not having proper items.....

3 parents emailed me with deep apologies telling me that they love everything that I do and will be sure to get back on track.

One mom called me and really just made my day. She even booked me an interview for last and final full time spot.

I am happy that I talked to you guys about it and found some way to get everyone back. Sometimes I just need that kick to remind me what to do to get back on top of everything.....

We all need that kick from time to time. So glad you were able to make it work. Sounds like you have a great group of kids and parents and everyone was just get settled in their ways and needed to regroup.

[countrymom]

thats great that they all agreed, but for how long. I don't want to burst your bubble, but your comment about how bored the kids where in the summer and the parents where complaing, well it got me thinking.

I think that your families and the kids expect you to entertain them. Sounds to me like if they are not busy every single minute then they don't know what know what to do. Just like the field trips, the parents want you to do them because a)that means the parents dont' have too b)your entertaining them.

you probably don't realize it, but its that comment that really got me thinking. Don't take it the wrong way, but sit back and look and listen.

[Mom&Provider]

I wouldn't stop everything completely, you obviously enjoy doing it too! I would stop with all the extra handouts/emails of caledars etc. Maybe just give a reminder to the parents at pick-up the day prior that you are going to do X tomorrow, so please send warm clothing, boots etc. and if someone comes without the proper attire, it's cancelled. That way if you are ever asked why you didn't go or don't do this and that anymore you have a reason and it's in the parents hands to fix the issue.

[daycare]

thats great that they all agreed, but for how long. I don't want to burst your bubble, but your comment about how bored the kids where in the summer and the parents where complaing, well it got me thinking.

I think that your families and the kids expect you to entertain them. Sounds to me like if they are not busy every single minute then they don't know what know what to do. Just like the field trips, the parents want you to do them because a)that means the parents dont' have too b)your entertaining them.

you probably don't realize it, but its that comment that really got me thinking. Don't take it the wrong way, but sit back and look and listen.

I do hear what you are saying, but this is my program. I have spent many years putting it together. Most of our lessons take place in our community and I am never going to change the way that I run my business.

I know that the reason the parents complained about the week we did nothing was because all of the kids were out of their normal routine and it just messed everything up. BUt they did understand that it was just too dangerous to be outside for any great length of time due to the extreme heat.

I'm very happy to have this form to remind me how to pull it all together. Sometimes even the most obvious or simple things get away from me because I let myself get to frustrated with the situations.

Thanks again everyone.

Oh and today..... I had 2 parents bring in all of the supplies for next month and 2 others that said they were bringing it tomorrow.