Higher Prices Attract Bigger Problems???

[EchoMom]

Has anyone else had experience with higher rates attracting higher maintenance families/babies?

Ever since I considerably raised my prices, I've had a string of intense rage babies and high maintenance families. With the higher price, I keep getting babies who have never been in a PNP ever, babies who sleep with their mom, babies who have never been to daycare before, babies who scream ALL day.

The price also seems to have brought me higher maintenance mothers. Mothers who text constantly, want to know every detail, and seem to worry constantly.

These babies are not laid back easy going personalities. Is it really because of the price??? And if so, is the higher price worth it?????!

Seriously, it's miserable!

[Cat Herder]

Yes.

That is all.

[Evansmom]

Oh boy! That does sound miserable! I'm so sorry you're dealing with that!!

I personally haven't had an experience like what you describe. I do charge second highest in my city as far as all the pricing I've seen. But I'm also extremely picky about the families I now accept. 5 years in the home daycare business and 17 in child care/teaching has taught me that it's so not worth it to deal with parents and kids that stress you out. I truly believe that kind of daily stress takes years off our lives!

I have run into some high maintenance families over the years but I end up terming if the problems don't get fixed. I'd rather have an empty spot.

Have you tried telling the parents what's not working for you? It might help and might push them out on their own if they're not a good fit for your program.

[cheerfuldom]

Either way there is a set of issues that come with it. but yes, higher prices normally is parents that would prefer nanny care but cant quite afford it. they can be high maintenance, first time parents with one child that is doted on and spoiled.

dirt cheap prices can be parents that arent as nurturing and caring about their kids. i hate to say that but a lot of time you will run into issues like improper clothing and bathing, lice, lack of food and supplies, or other issues with parents just plain out not caring much for the kids.

[daycare]

YES!!! I call it the hmm....HMM. High Maintenance MOM.. IF they make me say Hmm at any point during the interview, I say

NEXT!!!

[nannyde]

Yes!!!!

[BumbleBee]

I know what you're talking about.

My dcm who "tips" me every week is my highest maintenance mom. She's gotten better but I've had to be very strict w/policies.

Her kid was a rage baby and is now an intense toddler.

However, mom knows she's high maintenance and after I explained every policy & the reason for it, she backed off.

[daycarediva]

YES!!! I call it the hmm....HMM. High Maintenance MOM.. IF they make me say Hmm at any point during the interview, I say

NEXT!!!

:: :: ::


I am SOOOO using this phrase. Genius!

[daycare]

just yesterday I had an interview with a mom that basically disagreed with all of my polices, hours of operation and so on. She offered me $600.00 more a month to do things her way.

The Blackcat and MV in me took over thank god and I said I am so sorry but my polices, hours and what not are not negotiable. THanks for coming by.

NEXT!!!!

[Willow]

Odds are the more one has the more likely they'll be to suffer from entitlement issues.

"I'm paying you a lot of money so you better do exactly what I want."


As opposed to those who have and pay less, odds are they'll feel more incline to simply have care at all.

[blandino]

Yes ! It definitely happens. Our rates are the highest (two others are the same) in our area, and it does happen.

Subsequently, we also attract a lot of clients who are more serious and active about child rearing/philosophies, methods, and research and not looking for the cheapest care they can find. Those parents are my favorite, and sometimes it is hard to discern them from the HMMs (to borrow that phrase), but there is definitely a difference.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I've noticed this from my part-time clients, who DO have a higher daily rate. Interesting. I just assumed our society had transitioned to being a bunch of high maintenance moms...HMM. I like the HMM.

[ShellAve]

Odds are the more one has the more likely they'll be to suffer from entitlement issues.

"I'm paying you a lot of money so you better do exactly what I want."


As opposed to those who have and pay less, odds are they'll feel more incline to simply have care at all.

"You get what you pay for" right?

[MyAngels]

I've found that putting my rates just a bit lower than the highest, but not at the "dirt cheap" level keeps me swimming in families who are appreciative and cooperative. My selectivity during the interview process may help, too.

[AmyKidsCo]

Not me - I must attract HMMs; I've even had some on assistance only paying a $5/week co-pay that were high maintenance.