Small Community Gossip and What To Do

[Play Care]

I would have been upset but when mom said those things to me I probably would have shrugged it off and said "you know how small towns are, especially when day care competition is stiff!"
I would have reassured her, but I wouldn't have confronted anyone. 1. nothing she said was untrue 2. and it just makes you look unprofessional. I would have been VERY uncomfortable if I were your new clients, and would probably be pulling on Monday. Essentially they were looking for reassurance and then it wound up being a confrontation at their child's ball game That could have easily gotten very ugly.

It the same when you have to let a family go and they trash talk you. As much as you want to defend and clarify, it's just unprofessional. So you hold your head high and say "they are a lovely family and it just didn't work out. I wish them the best," in a sincere tone. Even though you might want to say "they were horrible, the kids were awful and they never paid on time!!!"

So yeah, I agree with other posters. I would let it go.

[Familycare71]

I would have been upset but when mom said those things to me I probably would have shrugged it off and said "you know how small towns are, especially when day care competition is stiff!"
I would have reassured her, but I wouldn't have confronted anyone. 1. nothing she said was untrue 2. and it just makes you look unprofessional. I would have been VERY uncomfortable if I were your new clients, and would probably be pulling on Monday. Essentially they were looking for reassurance and then it wound up being a confrontation at their child's ball game That could have easily gotten very ugly.

It the same when you have to let a family go and they trash talk you. As much as you want to defend and clarify, it's just unprofessional. So you hold your head high and say "they are a lovely family and it just didn't work out. I wish them the best," in a sincere tone. Even though you might want to say "they were horrible, the kids were awful and they never paid on time!!!"

So yeah, I agree with other posters. I would let it go.

I totally see your point - and yes in the future this is what I will do- although I didn't go and get nasty...
But your right- it could have gone another way.

[Starburst]

My dogs are on a separate floor. I do have a basket of dog toys upstairs but during the interview pets never came up.
I don't volunteer that I smoke and they didnt ask. If they did I would have been honest.

I guess ill just let it go-

I'm not sure about your state, but my family is considering moving to Oregon so I read the daycare requirements and one of the requirements for having pets in a home daycare is making sure all your daycare families are aware that there are pets residing in the home, even if they don't bring it up and the pets will not be around the daycare children. I would tell them anyway so they don't one day find out and say that you 'withheld information'.

[Lyss]

They were confused! . They are generally quiet when the are in their crate. But if you came to my door while they were out you would probably think I have 20!::

:: my dog never makes a peep when I have her in the bedroom during interviews but when someone knocks when she's out of the bedroom it sounds like we have a super scary 100lb+ dog ready to lunge but she's a 55lb chicken barking from behind the couch ::

I've forgotten to tell people in interviews but under my general info/rules section in my handbook I just include a few quick statements about her. Like providers home inculdes a dog, Dog is kept current on all shots and licensing requirements, dog has had obedience trainging, dog will be kept separate... that kinda thing

[Unregistered]

I agree with the others who said that her statements were true so you shouldn't get mad. I also wanted to say that I am actually siding with your neighbor here. It sounds like you are not disclosing important information to your dc parents. Second hand smoke can come from clothes and increases SIDS risk. For the dogs, what if they got out, or one of the kids developed an allergy but didn't know why and didn't know about them? I think you're in the wrong here.

[Familycare71]

I agree with the others who said that her statements were true so you shouldn't get mad. I also wanted to say that I am actually siding with your neighbor here. It sounds like you are not disclosing important information to your dc parents. Second hand smoke can come from clothes and increases SIDS risk. For the dogs, what if they got out, or one of the kids developed an allergy but didn't know why and didn't know about them? I think you're in the wrong here.

You can agree with whom ever .
I generally do talk about the dogs. They aren't dangerous- they are away more for their safety than the dc kids.
It wasn't the info she shared- it was the way she shared it and the "facts" she put behind it. I think I stated that previously.
I understand that got lost in translation- I don't take it personally.
Plus a forum can only know a person so well- esp since I have been active a relatively short time.
I know who I am and the care I provide and that what the neighbor shared regarding how I take care of my kids was false and mean.
Sort of like saying " oh Sally drinks wine with her friends occ at home." Vs "oh you know Sally is a DRINKER don't you!?!"
Same info- diff intent and presentation

[Play Care]

You can agree with whom ever .
I generally do talk about the dogs. They aren't dangerous- they are away more for their safety than the dc kids.
It wasn't the info she shared- it was the way she shared it and the "facts" she put behind it. I think I stated that previously.
I understand that got lost in translation- I don't take it personally.
Plus a forum can only know a person so well- esp since I have been active a relatively short time.
I know who I am and the care I provide and that what the neighbor shared regarding how I take care of my kids was false and mean.
Sort of like saying " oh Sally drinks wine with her friends occ at home." Vs "oh you know Sally is a DRINKER don't you!?!"
Same info- diff intent and presentation

I did want to mention in my other post that she does sound like a piece of work. Everytime I saw her and waved I'd be thinking "eff you dumb witch" all with a happy smile on my face::

[Familycare71]

I did want to mention in my other post that she does sound like a piece of work. Everytime I saw her and waved I'd be thinking "eff you dumb witch" all with a happy smile on my face::

Pretty much my plan! ::

[countrymom]

at least you confronted her. Doesn't matter if the facts she said were true or not, its the matter of principle. Why would she go to this mom and start talking about you, did the potential parent see that you had dogs, and obviously they couldn't smell smoke otherwise they would have said something. I don't think your neighbour will pull this stunt again.