Really?!?!

[Leigh]

Just got a text from someone who TWICE has been a no-show for drop-in care (I have never met her-she was "desperate" for drop-in care, and I was available, so twice I said yes). After the last no-show, I put her on my "black list". I have the feeling that the reason she didn't show is because I told her that payment was due at drop-off for drop-in kids (I had it happen to me ONCE that a mom picked up and told me she would pay me on Friday for care provided on Tuesday-never will happen again, that's why I now ask for $ at drop-off).

I am just in shock that this morning, she sends me a text asking me to take her 3 kids long-term. Um, no. First, I don't have the space for 3 (the drop-in was for just one). Second, I am still mad about the last no-show 2 months ago!

I am debating whether to just ignore her or tell her off. Evil me would like to set up care and then just not be home at her drop off time! What would you all tell her? I thought about just telling her that I am not willing to provide care for her because of the previous no-shows, that after 2 chances I am not willing to give a 3rd, and not to contact me again.

What would all of you say to this mom?

[Lil'DinoEggs]

unfortunately we cannot teach adults. a simple "Sorry, I am unavailable at this time" is fine. Anything else and she may bad mouth you or get into a conversation you don't want.

[Blackcat31]

Just got a text from someone who TWICE has been a no-show for drop-in care (I have never met her-she was "desperate" for drop-in care, and I was available, so twice I said yes). After the last no-show, I put her on my "black list". I have the feeling that the reason she didn't show is because I told her that payment was due at drop-off for drop-in kids (I had it happen to me ONCE that a mom picked up and told me she would pay me on Friday for care provided on Tuesday-never will happen again, that's why I now ask for $ at drop-off).

I am just in shock that this morning, she sends me a text asking me to take her 3 kids long-term. Um, no. First, I don't have the space for 3 (the drop-in was for just one). Second, I am still mad about the last no-show 2 months ago!

I am debating whether to just ignore her or tell her off. Evil me would like to set up care and then just not be home at her drop off time! What would you all tell her? I thought about just telling her that I am not willing to provide care for her because of the previous no-shows, that after 2 chances I am not willing to give a 3rd, and not to contact me again.

What would all of you say to this mom?

Dear DCM

Thank you for your inquiry for child care. At this time, I am unable to accommodate your needs. This decision is based on my current openings (none at this time) and your previous requests for child care that were not used or cancelled. The number to the local child care resource and referral agency is 222-444-5555. Thank you.



I would ABSOLUTELY mention her previous behavior! Not only because it's rude but because she SHOULD know that her past actions will eventually catch up to her.

We all need to cross the bridges we burn at some point in our lives. Silly woman! (Her, NOT you )

[Heidi]

Dear DCM

Thank you for your inquiry for child care. At this time, I am unable to accommodate your needs. This decision is based on my current openings (none at this time) and your previous requests for child care that were not used or cancelled. The number to the local child care resource and referral agency is 222-444-5555. Thank you.



I would ABSOLUTELY mention her previous behavior! Not only because it's rude but because she SHOULD know that her past actions will eventually catch up to her.

We all need to cross the bridges we burn at some point in our lives. Silly woman! (Her, NOT you )

that's great, although it's pretty long to text. :: Just the short version, then!

[Blackcat31]

unfortunately we cannot teach adults. a simple "Sorry, I am unavailable at this time" is fine. Anything else and she may bad mouth you or get into a conversation you don't want.

I would NEVER worry about what others say or could say about me.

99.9% of the time those people who are willing to spread rumors or gossip about me are saying FAR more about themselves than they are about me.

Those kinds of people are the type that I don't want for clients and anyone who listens or believes the lies/rumors/gossip they spout are also the type of people I don't want for clients.

I prefer adults who make their own decisions based on the truths they know.

I will never live my life afraid of what some PO'ed daycare client may say about me.

[itlw8]

I think I would politely say I am sorry but due to not cancelling or paying for 2 days reserved for drop in care , it is not in my best interest to enroll you as a client.

[Blackcat31]

that's great, although it's pretty long to text. :: Just the short version, then!

How about...

"No. U R unreliable."

[momofboys]

Just got a text from someone who TWICE has been a no-show for drop-in care (I have never met her-she was "desperate" for drop-in care, and I was available, so twice I said yes). After the last no-show, I put her on my "black list". I have the feeling that the reason she didn't show is because I told her that payment was due at drop-off for drop-in kids (I had it happen to me ONCE that a mom picked up and told me she would pay me on Friday for care provided on Tuesday-never will happen again, that's why I now ask for $ at drop-off).

I am just in shock that this morning, she sends me a text asking me to take her 3 kids long-term. Um, no. First, I don't have the space for 3 (the drop-in was for just one). Second, I am still mad about the last no-show 2 months ago!

I am debating whether to just ignore her or tell her off. Evil me would like to set up care and then just not be home at her drop off time! What would you all tell her? I thought about just telling her that I am not willing to provide care for her because of the previous no-shows, that after 2 chances I am not willing to give a 3rd, and not to contact me again.

What would all of you say to this mom?

I would say the bolded above.

[Leigh]

Thank you for your input, ladies. I just texted back telling her that I am not willing to pursue this with her based on her previous history of wasting my time and resources by not showing up or calling to cancel twice, and I did refer her to the local child care referral resource (I know she has already been through pretty much every one on the list, so this gave me much satisfaction to refer her there!).

I am thankful to have some level heads to turn to when I have steam coming out of my ears-After taking the time to get over the gall of this person trying to set up care again, I was able to respond politely and professionally while still letting her know that she screwed me over and won't have the opportunity to do it again. You were all helpful.

Dino, I agree that we can not teach adults, and I fully admit that telling her WHY I won't provide care won't make a difference to her, but I did that for ME to satisfy my own needs (which are also important).

[butterfly]

unfortunately we cannot teach adults. a simple "Sorry, I am unavailable at this time" is fine. Anything else and she may bad mouth you or get into a conversation you don't want.

I wouldn't mention the last behavior. You don't want to deal with her so just tell her you're full and be done with it. I wouldn't want the drama of bringing up the past.

[butterfly]

Thank you for your input, ladies. I just texted back telling her that I am not willing to pursue this with her based on her previous history of wasting my time and resources by not showing up or calling to cancel twice, and I did refer her to the local child care referral resource (I know she has already been through pretty much every one on the list, so this gave me much satisfaction to refer her there!).

I am thankful to have some level heads to turn to when I have steam coming out of my ears-After taking the time to get over the gall of this person trying to set up care again, I was able to respond politely and professionally while still letting her know that she screwed me over and won't have the opportunity to do it again. You were all helpful.

Dino, I agree that we can not teach adults, and I fully admit that telling her WHY I won't provide care won't make a difference to her, but I did that for ME to satisfy my own needs (which are also important).

Oops, I should read all the posts before responding. Glad it's handled.

[Leigh]

Oops, I should read all the posts before responding. Glad it's handled.

I do agree that bringing up the past doesn't help, but I felt a need to address it for purely selfish reasons. I did so politely, but it still felt good to do it. Had I responded right away, it would NOT have been polite.

[mnemom]

Dear DCM

Thank you for your inquiry for child care. At this time, I am unable to accommodate your needs. This decision is based on my current openings (none at this time) and your previous requests for child care that were not used or cancelled. The number to the local child care resource and referral agency is 222-444-5555. Thank you.



I would ABSOLUTELY mention her previous behavior! Not only because it's rude but because she SHOULD know that her past actions will eventually catch up to her.

We all need to cross the bridges we burn at some point in our lives. Silly woman! (Her, NOT you )

I seriously could follow up you around yeah thising all your posts!

[Blackcat31]

I do agree that bringing up the past doesn't help, but I felt a need to address it for purely selfish reasons. I did so politely, but it still felt good to do it. Had I responded right away, it would NOT have been polite.

I agree! But I think that only a portion of it is for selfish reasons.

Sometimes I think people DO need to be told that their own actions are the reasons for other people's actions....kwim?

One of the biggest rules I have here and repeat often to my daycare kids is
"If you are big enough to do it, be big enough to own it" and adults NOT owning their own actions is most of what's wrong in the world today.

Whether this mom takes to heart what you said, she still needed to hear it.

[nanglgrl]

I would NEVER worry about what others say or could say about me.

99.9% of the time those people who are willing to spread rumors or gossip about me are saying FAR more about themselves than they are about me.

Those kinds of people are the type that I don't want for clients and anyone who listens or believes the lies/rumors/gossip they spout are also the type of people I don't want for clients.

I prefer adults who make their own decisions based on the truths they know.

I will never live my life afraid of what some PO'ed daycare client may say about me.

Thank you for this. It's totally not daycare or thread related (sorry op) but Ive been a little down in the dumps because of what a person is saying about me personally. This reminded me that I shouldn't worry about it.