Fast Help On Wording Regarding Schedule

[momofboys]

I agree with BC. You have already requested it twice now and gave them a deadline. If they choose to ignore the request or they forget (or whatever other excuse they might try to give you) that is NOT your fault. If by tomorrow you don't have the schedule by the time that you suggested then consider yourself closed.

Just imagine and pretend that you waited until tomorrow and got nothing and you were waiting for a response so that you could book and confirm an actual vacation. So you get nothing tomorrow and therefore go ahead and book your reservations to go out of town (plane ticket, hotel etc.). Then suddenly the Friday before your vacation or the the day before your vacay they contact you and tell you that they need you Monday morning ... um, you're not getting your money back for booking your trip or if you are already gone you wouldn't leave your vacation just to go home and care for their kids right?! Just treat it the same way.


If you don't get the schedule by tomorrow "book" your vacation and if they contact you after the fact and ask for child care just like drugs, just say no! Tell them you have family visiting, or you'll be out of town or something and make sure that you remind them that you asked for their schedule twice and gave a deadline and didn't get any type of response, so you did exactly what you said you would do and assumed they were not coming and closed your daycare and booked your vacation. So sad, too bad .

lovethislovethislovethisITA!

[momofboys]

I always love your advice!!! As for OP, I hope you get your schedule today so you don't have to stay in limbo about it- I never understand how people can just ignore simple things like that, or wait until the last minute. I'm one to like to know what's going on I hope you get your days off and can relax!

I am just a planner by nature too but how would they feel if they didn't know their work schedules? They both have normal 8-4:00ish jobs so I am sure they would hate being in limbo too. I figure I have given them 2 oportunities & they have by tomorrow at pick-up to let me know (& I won't ask again- am leaving it all up to them!) - it will be too bad for the DCP b/c I know she likes her free time but sorry Charlie I won't do it if you don't give me the advance notice!

[TheGoodLife]

I am just a planner by nature too but how would they feel if they didn't know their work schedules? They both have normal 8-4:00ish jobs so I am sure they would hate being in limbo too. I figure I have given them 2 oportunities & they have by tomorrow at pick-up to let me know (& I won't ask again- am leaving it all up to them!) - it will be too bad for the DCP b/c I know she likes her free time but sorry Charlie I won't do it if you don't give me the advance notice!

Ahh, I thought you were saying the DCM was home from work for spring break since she was a teacher- I agree about the schedules if they are both working! Either way, good luck- I hope she gets back to you so you aren't in the position of having to say "sorry" for any requests- I hate doing that!

[Play Care]

I am just a planner by nature too but how would they feel if they didn't know their work schedules? They both have normal 8-4:00ish jobs so I am sure they would hate being in limbo too. I figure I have given them 2 oportunities & they have by tomorrow at pick-up to let me know (& I won't ask again- am leaving it all up to them!) - it will be too bad for the DCP b/c I know she likes her free time but sorry Charlie I won't do it if you don't give me the advance notice!

Your post reminded me, I had a family that would put me off as long as possible because they were waiting to see what their plans were I finally just started closing because I would either wind up with just their child, or they would tell me at the last minute they were not coming.
I agree with Blackcat, and start telling them when you will be avalible.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Ahh, I thought you were saying the DCM was home from work for spring break since she was a teacher- I agree about the schedules if they are both working! Either way, good luck- I hope she gets back to you so you aren't in the position of having to say "sorry" for any requests- I hate doing that!

DCM is a teacher and will not be working at all.

[momofboys]

Ahh, I thought you were saying the DCM was home from work for spring break since she was a teacher- I agree about the schedules if they are both working! Either way, good luck- I hope she gets back to you so you aren't in the position of having to say "sorry" for any requests- I hate doing that!

She will be off for spring break but I think she will still want to send her child! Sorry if I confused you! :-)

[momofboys]

Update!

Well giving them an ultimatum worked - Monday evening mom texted me that child would be here 2 of the days I was allowing them to come - however, it is only going to be partial days & she didn't tell me the times?! So now I have to beg for timeframes? Ughhhhhhh. I think I will say, "I will need to know the approximate arrival & departure times for Billy's time in care on X & X day so I can plan other appointments" - the dad is a high school coach so he needs care on these days for team scrimmages but no times?! I offered to give them a cheaper rate if it was under 4 hrs but with no idea as to when child is coming I think I should have said they had to pay my daily rate.

[Blackcat31]

Well giving them an ultimatum worked - Monday evening mom texted me that child would be here 2 of the days I was allowing them to come - however, it is only going to be partial days & she didn't tell me the times?! So now I have to beg for timeframes? Ughhhhhhh. I think I will say, "I will need to know the approximate arrival & departure times for Billy's time in care on X & X day so I can plan other appointments" - the dad is a high school coach so he needs care on these days for team scrimmages but no times?! I offered to give them a cheaper rate if it was under 4 hrs but with no idea as to when child is coming I think I should have said they had to pay my daily rate.

Hun, please don't take offense but why do you keep asking them and not just TELLING them what works for you?

I offer half day rates to my regular families if they want to attend on their normal off days but I don't allow the half day rate unless NONE of the care includes nap or lunch.

Even if they only need 1 hour of care, if it falls during lunch or nap time, the full day rate applies.

YOU need to set the limits if you aren't happy with any of the times they want to attend.

I am sorry they are ruining this "vacation" time for you

[momofboys]

You are 100% right bc!

[TheGoodLife]

Well giving them an ultimatum worked - Monday evening mom texted me that child would be here 2 of the days I was allowing them to come - however, it is only going to be partial days & she didn't tell me the times?! So now I have to beg for timeframes? Ughhhhhhh. I think I will say, "I will need to know the approximate arrival & departure times for Billy's time in care on X & X day so I can plan other appointments" - the dad is a high school coach so he needs care on these days for team scrimmages but no times?! I offered to give them a cheaper rate if it was under 4 hrs but with no idea as to when child is coming I think I should have said they had to pay my daily rate.

Uggh, I HATE having to track down specific times for my drop-ins. I just amended my contract to have contracted times instead of business hours but still have to text and hound for my drop-in family's times the night before. I agree that you should just tell them what works for you, and if they ask for something different or more hours then its your choice to take it, but I'd say "OK, that will be a full day's fees" if you do!