Term or not? I did this to myself....ugh

[LaLa1923]

I had a DCG start January 2nd, 2013. She's 6mo old. Here are the current issues:

1. Mom never drops off at contract time, she's ALWAYS late!

2. She does not like sharing me at all, she cries when I put her down to help someone else.

3. When she is here, she sleeps all day. This makes it hard to have a schedule and go out to play etc.

4. She cries when another baby makes noise, any noise at all!!!

Here are the pros:

1. Mom is never late picking up.

2. Occasionally doesn't bring her if Dad is off.

3. Provides everything and I never have to ask for supplies.

The biggest issue is I accidentally quoted her the wrong price when she enrolled. I know, I know. She was my first infant and I really figured it wouldn't be an issue, but I forgot how much work babies are! She pays about $15 less a week than my rate. My infant rate is already $25 lower than most providers in the area. (I didn't realize this when I quoted my rates)
In addition, she will also be coming 12 hour days May & June.
What do I do?! Do I raise her rate and tell her she's been getting a really good deal? Or do I take the loss and charge her for the overtime?
Or do I term all together because of the issues? What would you do?

*She would be easy to replace as I now have a waiting list.

[countrymom]

how old is the child.

[LaLa1923]

how old is the child.

She's 6mo old

[DaisyMamma]

Do you want to have her 12 hrs a day? That would be the deciding factor for me.

In the meantime I would wait it out and see how the next couple months go.
And when she switches to 12 hours is when you not only raise her the $15 but raise at least $25. But tell her this now in case she wants to leave because of it.
"DCM, I've been thinking about the hours you want to do starting in the spring. Its a lot more time, so I will have to raise your tuition by $xx"

Cons
1. That's not all bad! Personally I would list this in pros. If you have somewhere to go tell mom the day before that she needs to be on time. Or tell mom you need a concrete drop off time as its really messing with your schedule.

2 & 4. She will get used to it. Don't give in.

3. It's normal. Just wake her up for outside time or try to transfer to a stroller. She will grow out of the sleeping.

As for the Pros, those are HUGE! great pros and more the reason to work on the cons.

[bunnyslippers]

If it is only the money and the drop-offs, I would probably be honest with the mother, and let her know you need to raise her rate in ___ weeks. Give her the option to stay at the increased rate. I would also let her know that you will not allow the late drop-offs anymore. Are 12 hour days your norm? That is a LOOOONG day!

If the issue is that the baby is truly not a good fit, then I would probably term. If you don't enjoy caring for the child and have other options, then go with your gut. I always think if making a change makes your day easier and it doesn't effect your bottom line, then you should make the change.

[MyAngels]

I had a DCG start January 2nd, 2013. She's 6mo old. Here are the current issues:

1. Mom never drops off at contract time, she's ALWAYS late!

How late is late? I personally would not begrudge the parent of a 6 month old extra time with their child, but that's just me. I would insist that I be informed ahead of time of any schedule changes.

2. She does not like sharing me at all, she cries when I put her down to help someone else.

You just have to work on this. It can be tough, but helping them adjust is part of having a 6 month old. I'd give it time.

3. When she is here, she sleeps all day. This makes it hard to have a schedule and go out to play etc.

If she sleeps all day then the crying to be held shouldn't be too hard to handle. She'll outgrow all the naps in short order.

4. She cries when another baby makes noise, any noise at all!!!

I got nothin' on this one . Hopefully she'll outgrow it soon.

Here are the pros:

1. Mom is never late picking up.

2. Occasionally doesn't bring her if Dad is off.

3. Provides everything and I never have to ask for supplies.

The biggest issue is I accidentally quoted her the wrong price when she enrolled. I know, I know. She was my first infant and I really figured it wouldn't be an issue, but I forgot how much work babies are! She pays about $15 less a week than my rate. My infant rate is already $25 lower than most providers in the area. (I didn't realize this when I quoted my rates)
In addition, she will also be coming 12 hour days May & June.
What do I do?! Do I raise her rate and tell her she's been getting a really good deal? Or do I take the loss and charge her for the overtime?
Or do I term all together because of the issues? What would you do?

*She would be easy to replace as I now have a waiting list.

I answered a couple of your questions above, and as far as the rate, I'd just give them some notice and raise their rate. If it's too much of a burden, they'll look for someone else and it'll work itself out.

[LaLa1923]

She's contracted for 8-5:30 but May and June is 8-8!

Do I raise them $15 now and charge for overtime?

Or do I keep the rates the same and just charge for the overtime?

[MyAngels]

She's contracted for 8-5:30 but May and June is 8-8!

Do I raise them $15 now and charge for overtime?

Or do I keep the rates the same and just charge for the overtime?

Personally, once I quote a rate I don't raise it for at least 6 months. I feel like it would be a bad business practice to quote a lower rate to attract a family but then change it on them too soon. In your case, since it sounds like you wouldn't be too upset if they left and you can replace them easily you could raise their rate and they may take the decision as to whether to term away from you by leaving on their own.

I would never do 12 hour days, but if I did it would incur a hefty overtime rate.

[EchoMom]

Don't term. You haven't had the baby very long at all. The baby will adjust and you will learn and get better at working with/around infants. It sounds like overall a very good situation. I agree that some of your cons are actually pros!

Do you want to work 8-8????? I would NEVER work that late! Don't you need personal time? Does anyone else come earlier than 8am? I just don't see how you could possible survive working constantly. Do you have your own kids? You need alone time with them.

Now as far as the rate. That really stinks and is a big goof up on your part. Why did you give the discount? Because it was urgent to get someone started? I totally understand. When I started a year ago I took whoever I could get, now I can be very very picky. I really don't know how you could fix this... You could raise the price but that seems super unfair to me. She's only been with you a month or two and to raise the price already is like a bait and switch. If it were me I would have to just wait for awhile before doing a price increase. I raised my prices after 1 year.

[My3cents]

I had a DCG start January 2nd, 2013. She's 6mo old. Here are the current issues:

1. Mom never drops off at contract time, she's ALWAYS late! Talk with her and explain that when she is late for arrival it throws off your day. I know many implement a fee for late arrival.

2. She does not like sharing me at all, she cries when I put her down to help someone else. more reason to put her down and not hold her all the time. Pick her up when she is not fussy.

3. When she is here, she sleeps all day. This makes it hard to have a schedule and go out to play etc. babies sleep a lot. Bundle her up and take her out, put her on your schedule at least try and work toward that goal

4. She cries when another baby makes noise, any noise at all!!! pretty normal.

Here are the pros:

1. Mom is never late picking up.awesome

2. Occasionally doesn't bring her if Dad is off. nice break for you, just want to make sure that for the most part baby coming is consistent. I find babies that are on part time schedules can be hard.

3. Provides everything and I never have to ask for supplies. awesome

The biggest issue is I accidentally quoted her the wrong price when she enrolled. I know, I know. She was my first infant and I really figured it wouldn't be an issue, but I forgot how much work babies are! She pays about $15 less a week than my rate. My infant rate is already $25 lower than most providers in the area. (I didn't realize this when I quoted my rates)
In addition, she will also be coming 12 hour days May & June.
What do I do?! Do I raise her rate and tell her she's been getting a really good deal? Or do I take the loss and charge her for the overtime?
Or do I term all together because of the issues? What would you do? either be up front with her and tell her that you made a mistake when you quoted her a price or raise your rate. OR **** it up and call it a learning lesson and take the loss- probably not in your best interest to do this, but if you were financially all set it could be an option.

*She would be easy to replace as I now have a waiting list.Something stands out that you want to replace this child, maybe you just don't mesh or mesh with the parent. That is ok- but best to do it now then wait till later.

I find all of the above workable and not that bad of issues to be able to work out. but..... I am not you, and I like working with parents to make it work for all. I do have things that are non-negotiable. Pick up time is one of those, having what I need for supplies is another, sick policy. If you need someone to say it is ok to term because it is not working for me, you got it. It is ok. Good luck, Best-

best-

[itlw8]

She just started so I do not see how it would be right to raise the rate. I would give her a rate now for when it will be 12 hours. after 5:30 it should be at a higher hourly rate. I assume she is you only child after hours. I think you should NEVER work for less than minimum wage plus there will be more meals included. I would charge $10 an hour after 5:30 and I would not nickle and dime it if they picked up early some days. they pay for contracted time plus more if late.

then raise your infant rate next fall and give her some warning.

[LaLa1923]

Don't term. You haven't had the baby very long at all. The baby will adjust and you will learn and get better at working with/around infants. It sounds like overall a very good situation. I agree that some of your cons are actually pros!

Do you want to work 8-8????? I would NEVER work that late! Don't you need personal time? Does anyone else come earlier than 8am? I just don't see how you could possible survive working constantly. Do you have your own kids? You need alone time with them.

Now as far as the rate. That really stinks and is a big goof up on your part. Why did you give the discount? Because it was urgent to get someone started? I totally understand. When I started a year ago I took whoever I could get, now I can be very very picky. I really don't know how you could fix this... You could raise the price but that seems super unfair to me. She's only been with you a month or two and to raise the price already is like a bait and switch. If it were me I would have to just wait for awhile before doing a price increase. I raised my prices after 1 year.

When I rasearched the rates on our dhs website I found out later that they were were old rates. I found out AFTER dcg stated.

[LaLa1923]

I do like the baby and the mom, because I messed up I am leaning towards taking the loss and charging for overtime.

[LaLa1923]

Don't term. You haven't had the baby very long at all. The baby will adjust and you will learn and get better at working with/around infants. It sounds like overall a very good situation. I agree that some of your cons are actually pros!

Do you want to work 8-8????? I would NEVER work that late! Don't you need personal time? Does anyone else come earlier than 8am? I just don't see how you could possible survive working constantly. Do you have your own kids? You need alone time with them.

Now as far as the rate. That really stinks and is a big goof up on your part. Why did you give the discount? Because it was urgent to get someone started? I totally understand. When I started a year ago I took whoever I could get, now I can be very very picky. I really don't know how you could fix this... You could raise the price but that seems super unfair to me. She's only been with you a month or two and to raise the price already is like a bait and switch. If it were me I would have to just wait for awhile before doing a price increase. I raised my prices after 1 year.

The long hours would be temporary, yes I have kids. She would be my only after hours child. However, I am licensed from 6am-12 am 7 days a week.

[LaLa1923]

As for the Pros, those are HUGE! great pros and more the reason to work on the cons.

I know! That's part of why I'm torn.