Used My Backbone This Morning

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  • MarinaVanessa
    Family Childcare Home
    • Jan 2010
    • 7211

    Used My Backbone This Morning

    I exercised my backbone this morning and I didn't feel guilty this time ::.

    Quick Back-story:
    Family asks me if I could accommodate a PT child that would come only every other Friday and Monday and I agreed.
    Family needed early drop off of 6:30am (30 minutes before I opened) and I agreed for an extra fee because I wake up my DD at that time anyway.
    I set my alarm for 10 minutes before they are scheduled to arrive (enough time for me to get ready)
    Two months later and DCM starts to drop off at 6:25am then after 3 times shows up at 6:20 twice. Each time I mention that I was in the middle of getting ready, she apologizes each time but still shows up early.
    I talk to her about showing up early without notice after the second 6:20am drop-off, mention that she can't do that without asking, ask her of she needs an earlier drop-off time and she says yes.
    Signs a new contract with a 6:20 drop off time and earlier pick up time on February 25th (last day her child was scheduled)

    Fast forward to this morning (her child's next day of attendance since the last time he was here):

    -knock knock knock. I wake up and reach for my phone to check the time, phone is dead I forgot to charge it last night. Oh crap, my alarm didn't go off (my phone is my alarm). I jump out of bed dressed in my DH white t-shirt and taran-tarans - knock knock knock - I rush down the hall and down the stairs - knock knock knock - I feel horrible and panicked. I've only ever slept in once in the whole time that Ive been doing daycare and the other time was with this same DCM . I reach the front door and quickly glance at the clock ...

    It's 6:05 in the morning .

    I take a deep breath and decide to open the door. There I am in all my glory wearing nothing but an over-sized t-shirt, hair looking like a hot mess, barefoot and now angry. Mom gives me this look :confused:.
    ME - "I wasn't expecting you for another 15 minutes. I was sleeping. My alarm isn't set to go off for another 5 minutes." Blank stare.
    DCM - "Um yeah, I know I'm a little early."
    ME - "Didn't we just over this the last time you were here?"
    DCM - "Yeah ... um ... sorry" Stares at me. A couple of seconds of silence while I just stare back.
    ME: "You can either wait until 6:20 or pay the early drop off penalty fee." A couple of seconds more of silence, both still just staring at each other.
    DCM: "I'll pay the fee"
    ME - "Do you have it now?" Two seconds of silence.
    DCM - "Yes"
    I move out of the doorway and let her in, she sets DCK on couch and pulls out cash and hands it to me and without another word she walks out uncomfortably. She looked like a chastised child. I only spoke to her in short clipped sentences so I guess sometimes less is more. I think she got the point ::.

    Now I just have to figure out whether or not I want to hand her a termination letter or not .

    I know, not really a point to this story but I just wanted to share with those that I know would understand ::.
  • mom2many
    Daycare.com Member
    • Jun 2011
    • 1278

    #2
    ::::::TGIF!!!!happyface

    Comment

    • EntropyControlSpecialist
      Embracing the chaos.
      • Mar 2012
      • 7466

      #3
      She's LUCKY you even open the door. I ignore, ignore, ignore anyone who comes early. They only do it once or twice and it never happens again since all they end up doing is waiting on my porch bored to tears.

      Comment

      • snbauser
        Daycare.com Member
        • Jan 2011
        • 1385

        #4
        Good for you. It is sad that in so many cases when we try to be understanding and accomodating we get taken advantage of. And then so many people wonder why we don't want to accomodate changes.

        Comment

        • Texasjeepgirl
          Director Licensed Care
          • Jul 2008
          • 304

          #5
          I love it...
          EXCELLENT job with the BACKBONE
          and..
          Reminds me how happy I am that I have a chain link fence and double wide gate that is locked each night with a padlock..
          I don't unlock the gate till about 2 minutes before opening time...
          so I don't have to worry about someone knock knock knocking too early...

          Comment

          • HomeMADE
            New Daycare.com Member
            • Jan 2013
            • 85

            #6
            Wow!!! I hope she gets the point.
            HomeMADE

            Comment

            • momofboys
              Advanced Daycare Member
              • Dec 2009
              • 2560

              #7
              Originally posted by MarinaVanessa
              I exercised my backbone this morning and I didn't feel guilty this time ::.

              Quick Back-story:
              Family asks me if I could accommodate a PT child that would come only every other Friday and Monday and I agreed.
              Family needed early drop off of 6:30am (30 minutes before I opened) and I agreed for an extra fee because I wake up my DD at that time anyway.
              I set my alarm for 10 minutes before they are scheduled to arrive (enough time for me to get ready)
              Two months later and DCM starts to drop off at 6:25am then after 3 times shows up at 6:20 twice. Each time I mention that I was in the middle of getting ready, she apologizes each time but still shows up early.
              I talk to her about showing up early without notice after the second 6:20am drop-off, mention that she can't do that without asking, ask her of she needs an earlier drop-off time and she says yes.
              Signs a new contract with a 6:20 drop off time and earlier pick up time on February 25th (last day her child was scheduled)

              Fast forward to this morning (her child's next day of attendance since the last time he was here):

              -knock knock knock. I wake up and reach for my phone to check the time, phone is dead I forgot to charge it last night. Oh crap, my alarm didn't go off (my phone is my alarm). I jump out of bed dressed in my DH white t-shirt and taran-tarans - knock knock knock - I rush down the hall and down the stairs - knock knock knock - I feel horrible and panicked. I've only ever slept in once in the whole time that Ive been doing daycare and the other time was with this same DCM . I reach the front door and quickly glance at the clock ...

              It's 6:05 in the morning .

              I take a deep breath and decide to open the door. There I am in all my glory wearing nothing but an over-sized t-shirt, hair looking like a hot mess, barefoot and now angry. Mom gives me this look :confused:.
              ME - "I wasn't expecting you for another 15 minutes. I was sleeping. My alarm isn't set to go off for another 5 minutes." Blank stare.
              DCM - "Um yeah, I know I'm a little early."
              ME - "Didn't we just over this the last time you were here?"
              DCM - "Yeah ... um ... sorry" Stares at me. A couple of seconds of silence while I just stare back.
              ME: "You can either wait until 6:20 or pay the early drop off penalty fee." A couple of seconds more of silence, both still just staring at each other.
              DCM: "I'll pay the fee"
              ME - "Do you have it now?" Two seconds of silence.
              DCM - "Yes"
              I move out of the doorway and let her in, she sets DCK on couch and pulls out cash and hands it to me and without another word she walks out uncomfortably. She looked like a chastised child. I only spoke to her in short clipped sentences so I guess sometimes less is more. I think she got the point ::.

              Now I just have to figure out whether or not I want to hand her a termination letter or not .

              I know, not really a point to this story but I just wanted to share with those that I know would understand ::.
              Good for you! I would be sure to remind her that in the future you will not be answering the door before your agreed upon drop-off time. And then stick with it!

              Comment

              • My3cents
                Daycare.com Member
                • Jan 2012
                • 3387

                #8
                Originally posted by MarinaVanessa
                I exercised my backbone this morning and I didn't feel guilty this time ::.

                Quick Back-story:
                Family asks me if I could accommodate a PT child that would come only every other Friday and Monday and I agreed.
                Family needed early drop off of 6:30am (30 minutes before I opened) and I agreed for an extra fee because I wake up my DD at that time anyway.
                I set my alarm for 10 minutes before they are scheduled to arrive (enough time for me to get ready)
                Two months later and DCM starts to drop off at 6:25am then after 3 times shows up at 6:20 twice. Each time I mention that I was in the middle of getting ready, she apologizes each time but still shows up early.
                I talk to her about showing up early without notice after the second 6:20am drop-off, mention that she can't do that without asking, ask her of she needs an earlier drop-off time and she says yes.
                Signs a new contract with a 6:20 drop off time and earlier pick up time on February 25th (last day her child was scheduled)

                Fast forward to this morning (her child's next day of attendance since the last time he was here):

                -knock knock knock. I wake up and reach for my phone to check the time, phone is dead I forgot to charge it last night. Oh crap, my alarm didn't go off (my phone is my alarm). I jump out of bed dressed in my DH white t-shirt and taran-tarans - knock knock knock - I rush down the hall and down the stairs - knock knock knock - I feel horrible and panicked. I've only ever slept in once in the whole time that Ive been doing daycare and the other time was with this same DCM . I reach the front door and quickly glance at the clock ...

                It's 6:05 in the morning .

                I take a deep breath and decide to open the door. There I am in all my glory wearing nothing but an over-sized t-shirt, hair looking like a hot mess, barefoot and now angry. Mom gives me this look :confused:.
                ME - "I wasn't expecting you for another 15 minutes. I was sleeping. My alarm isn't set to go off for another 5 minutes." Blank stare.
                DCM - "Um yeah, I know I'm a little early."
                ME - "Didn't we just over this the last time you were here?"
                DCM - "Yeah ... um ... sorry" Stares at me. A couple of seconds of silence while I just stare back.
                ME: "You can either wait until 6:20 or pay the early drop off penalty fee." A couple of seconds more of silence, both still just staring at each other.
                DCM: "I'll pay the fee"
                ME - "Do you have it now?" Two seconds of silence.
                DCM - "Yes"
                I move out of the doorway and let her in, she sets DCK on couch and pulls out cash and hands it to me and without another word she walks out uncomfortably. She looked like a chastised child. I only spoke to her in short clipped sentences so I guess sometimes less is more. I think she got the point ::.

                Now I just have to figure out whether or not I want to hand her a termination letter or not .

                I know, not really a point to this story but I just wanted to share with those that I know would understand ::.
                IF the drop off fee is good, very high and very good. Consider just waking up and taking it every time!!! As long as you can handle opening that early.
                I would be blunt and tell her that early drop off is discussed in advance and you don't want it to happen again. It was awkward for both of you and if you wanted early hours you would have set your hours to be at that time. I would give her one last harsh warning. Then next time ask her to leave- I am mad for you!

                Comment

                • butterfly
                  Daycare.com Member
                  • Nov 2012
                  • 1627

                  #9
                  Thank for the inspiration! I've very proud of you!!

                  Comment

                  • Crystal
                    Advanced Daycare.com Member
                    • Dec 2009
                    • 4002

                    #10
                    Good job! happyface

                    I wouldn't have been so nice though. I would have made her wait.

                    Comment

                    • CedarCreek
                      Advanced Daycare.com Member
                      • Jan 2013
                      • 1600

                      #11
                      That had happened to me twice! Only I've just let them in and stared at them menacingly..

                      I should have charged them a fee like you did! Great job!

                      Comment

                      • TheGoodLife
                        Home Daycare Provider
                        • Feb 2012
                        • 1372

                        #12
                        I hope you have a good early drop off fee- just curious what yours is. What a way to start your Friday!!!

                        Comment

                        • just_peachy
                          New Daycare.com Member
                          • Feb 2013
                          • 186

                          #13
                          Wow she sounds totally clueless! I guess if you give an inch...

                          Totally unrelated, but I think it's amazing you can be ready in 10 minutes! I can dress and do my face that fast, but I need a solid 30 minutes AT LEAST to wake up enough to handle kids. I love sleep but I'm completely useless without veg time in the morning. (Don't you drink coffee?!?)

                          Comment

                          • MarinaVanessa
                            Family Childcare Home
                            • Jan 2010
                            • 7211

                            #14
                            Originally posted by mom2many
                            ::::::TGIF!!!!happyface
                            OMG, you're telling me . At least 2 of my DCKs are out today so it's been a nice slow day so far. Kind of makes up for being scared the crap out of in the AM because I thought I was running late.

                            Originally posted by EntropyControlSpecialist
                            She's LUCKY you even open the door. I ignore, ignore, ignore anyone who comes early. They only do it once or twice and it never happens again since all they end up doing is waiting on my porch bored to tears.
                            Yes, she was lucky but at that point I wanted to express my distaste for her showing up early so bad that I wanted to open the door at that exact moment.

                            Originally posted by snbauser
                            Good for you. It is sad that in so many cases when we try to be understanding and accomodating we get taken advantage of. And then so many people wonder why we don't want to accomodate changes.
                            Tell me about it. I had already accommodated her earlier drop off and then literally the last time that DCK came I changed her contract to accommodate the 10 minute earlier drop-off time. I HAD LITERALLY JUST TALKED TO HER ABOUT DROPPING OFF EARLY!!! What the heck?!?! I wasn't okay with dropping off 10 minutes early, what makes you think that dropping off early 15 minutes more after I just extended your drop-off time by 10 minutes?!?! That means dropping off 55 minutes before my official opening time, PLUS my first client doesn't arrive until 7:30am .

                            Originally posted by Texasjeepgirl
                            I love it...
                            EXCELLENT job with the BACKBONE
                            and..
                            Reminds me how happy I am that I have a chain link fence and double wide gate that is locked each night with a padlock..
                            I don't unlock the gate till about 2 minutes before opening time...
                            so I don't have to worry about someone knock knock knocking too early...
                            My next home will have a fenced in yard, barbed wire and a moat with sharks with frickin lasers.

                            Originally posted by My3cents
                            IF the drop off fee is good, very high and very good. Consider just waking up and taking it every time!!! As long as you can handle opening that early.
                            I would be blunt and tell her that early drop off is discussed in advance and you don't want it to happen again. It was awkward for both of you and if you wanted early hours you would have set your hours to be at that time. I would give her one last harsh warning. Then next time ask her to leave- I am mad for you!
                            I charged her $1 a minute so I made $15 on top of the $40 a day that she paid for today. If she wouldn't have wanted to pay it then she would have sat outside for those extra 15 minutes. I'm still debating on whether to just let her go now or wait and see how it goes next Monday. She already KNOWS I don't appreciate early drop offs without notice. That's why I had her sign the new contract duh. he dumb part is that she obviously had somewhere to be because she hesitated for a bit when I gave her the choice to pay or wait. I don't think she wanted to pay the fee because she seemed reluctant so she probably had to be at work early today and knew it. Why not just call me yesterday and ask to drop off earlier? It would have saved her the $.

                            Comment

                            • EntropyControlSpecialist
                              Embracing the chaos.
                              • Mar 2012
                              • 7466

                              #15
                              Heeey. I want sharks with lasers, too.

                              How early are you willing to accommodate her? It seems like her drop offs just get earlier, and earlier, and earlier, and earlier.

                              Comment

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