I Feel So Guilty

[rmc20021]

I have a new family start this week...2 SA boys ages 5 and 9. I know, I said I won't do SA...but, the boys are very good kids, no trouble at all. Best I've ever had. Family is great. I quoted them a higher price than what I was charging for after school kids because I really didn't want to do them and I decided if I was going to take on SA kids I was going to make it worth my time.

Well...dcm is absolutely wonderful. She pays in advance and everything. Never dickered with the cost of my fees. Now I realize though that the longest time I will have the boys is one hour per day...except she has fluctuation schedules and she just stopped to pay me and told me she only works 2 days next week. But for the amount of money I'm charging her I feel so awful.

This really makes me resent the other family who I have to hold down and drag the money out of in order to get paid.

[butterfly]

Yay for a great family! happyface Especially with all the other stuff you have going on right now!!

[momofboys]

Don't feel guilty, be happy that so far they are ideal!

[bunnyslippers]

You are worth it, and she clearly knows it! Don't feel guilty - feel happy and relieved to have a no-stress family. You are offering her piece of mind. She knows she has good quality care when she needs it. Go you!!!!

[cheerfuldom]

There is no reason to feel guilty. You quoted a price which it sounds like the mom is more than willing to pay. She's fine with the charge even if it is just for one hour, so why should you feel guilty? She's an adult fully capable of agreeing to something.

As for the other family, if you can afford to risk losing them, up their charge to what the other mom is paying and do a strict, no pay/no stay policy always receiving payment in advance. that way if they dont bring the money, they cannot use daycare services. you dont need to beg for payment, just turn them away at the door over and over till they get it.....no pay no stay. usually just takes once or twice

[Lyss]

I had a family that I felt guilty over their rate, they paid full days but rarely used them. I at the time wasn't doing PT. Of course 6 months later schedules changed and DCG is here full days so if I had back tracked and reduced their rate now they would be getting a deal.