Gov't Drama Affecting My DC Family -- What Would You Do...

[Lucy]

Let's not turn this into a political discussion, but the government shut down has affected one of my DC families. He works as a civilian at the Air National Guard base. (He's also IN the Air Nat'l Reserves, but he makes his living from the civilian job.) He is on furlough due to the shut down.

Their 2 kids did not come today, and at around 4pm I got a text from the mom saying "is there a time we can get together to discuss our current situation?". I know what she means.... if he's off work for awhile, they won't be able to afford to pay me.

I haven't answered yet because I want to "get my ducks in a row", as they say. What would you all do? Two weeks notice, then a holding fee for their spot? Like maybe half the regular amount?? This is TWO kids, and represents 1/3 of my income! I can NOT refill their spot in the town I'm in. It's a small town with too many home DC's and lately some centers popping up at churches as well as "commercial" type centers. Too much competition for too small a town. I've tried, and I can't fill spots for beans.

Need advice!!!!!

[Michael]

I do not think this shutdown will last more then a few days.

[Unregistered]

OP here on my phone and can't remember password.

Yes, that is my hope too, but they're going to want to talk, and I should have some kind of contingency plan for them.

Pay full amt this week and see where to go from there? Or..... ???

[spinnymarie]

This might be unpopular, but if it were me I'd try to let them off the hook for a few days if possible.
If it lasts longer than a week, set another meeting to re-discuss.
If you can't fill the spots anyway... the best you are going to do by charging here is get the two-weeks notice, and then they go somewhere else.
Or, you give them a few days off, and keep them.
JMHO.

[cara041083]

This might be unpopular, but if it were me I'd try to let them off the hook for a few days if possible.
If it lasts longer than a week, set another meeting to re-discuss.
If you can't fill the spots anyway... the best you are going to do by charging here is get the two-weeks notice, and then they go somewhere else.
Or, you give them a few days off, and keep them.
JMHO.

That is what I would do also. Its better to loose a weeks pay then to loose them for good.

[Familycare71]

I would make a short term plan... And then a long term plan. I would ask that they pay the two weeks in full (I have two weeks notice to protect my budget) and then hopefully the shut down is complete and no issue. If it is still an issue then I would ask for a min of two days to hold the spot.
Because you want to keep this family and you can't replace I would be flexible. Hopefully they are honest about what they can and cannot do and don't take advantage. Maybe even break down the payments so you get your two weeks but over four weeks. So they end up being behind until the furlough is lifted and then can catch back up.
I think what ever you decide know your bottom lines- what you are willing to walk away from.
I have def done this for families - I think there is no problem as long as they are still prioritizing you as a bill. And I would make sure they understand kiddos don't attend full time care for part time pay...

[MCC]

I would make a short term plan... And then a long term plan. I would ask that they pay the two weeks in full (I have two weeks notice to protect my budget) and then hopefully the shut down is complete and no issue. If it is still an issue then I would ask for a min of two days to hold the spot.
Because you want to keep this family and you can't replace I would be flexible. Hopefully they are honest about what they can and cannot do and don't take advantage. Maybe even break down the payments so you get your two weeks but over four weeks. So they end up being behind until the furlough is lifted and then can catch back up.
I think what ever you decide know your bottom lines- what you are willing to walk away from.
I have def done this for families - I think there is no problem as long as they are still prioritizing you as a bill. And I would make sure they understand kiddos don't attend full time care for part time pay...

I agree with all of this. Where are they on payment right now? As in, did they pay you this past Monday for the next two weeks? Or are they day by day? If they have already paid in advance for this week and/or next week, maybe use that as their "two weeks" and hope that this is all over by then? I feel like this is such a sticky situation for us, anyone know what centers are doing?

[Lucy]

What is your username? I will send your password.

It's ok, Michael. I was just in the other room and too lazy to walk to the back of the house to look up my password!! LOL

This might be unpopular, but if it were me I'd try to let them off the hook for a few days if possible.
If it lasts longer than a week, set another meeting to re-discuss.
If you can't fill the spots anyway... the best you are going to do by charging here is get the two-weeks notice, and then they go somewhere else.
Or, you give them a few days off, and keep them.
JMHO.

I guarantee they won't go elsewhere. These people tell me often how glad they are that their kids are here, and that the kids love me and feel so at home with me. I'm not tooting my own horn, that's just the way they feel. One time I was joking about quitting, and Mom nearly cried. But my question to you regarding what you suggested is... when you say "give them a few days off", do you mean without pay? (I'm not disagreeing, just want to make sure I know what you mean) In other words, let's say this government thing lasts the rest of this week. They were here Monday, so would you give them 4 days (unattended) without charging them? Thanks for your help!

I would make a short term plan... And then a long term plan. I would ask that they pay the two weeks in full (I have two weeks notice to protect my budget) and then hopefully the shut down is complete and no issue. If it is still an issue then I would ask for a min of two days to hold the spot.
Because you want to keep this family and you can't replace I would be flexible. Hopefully they are honest about what they can and cannot do and don't take advantage. Maybe even break down the payments so you get your two weeks but over four weeks. So they end up being behind until the furlough is lifted and then can catch back up.
I think what ever you decide know your bottom lines- what you are willing to walk away from.
I have def done this for families - I think there is no problem as long as they are still prioritizing you as a bill. And I would make sure they understand kiddos don't attend full time care for part time pay...

"min of two days to hold the spot" meaning charge them for 2 days per week until this blows over? (during which the kids could come the 2 days if they want, right?) I LOVE the idea about breaking down the payments. And I'm comfortable with this family that they would not do me wrong. I would still put it all in writing, though. You know... just in case!

I agree with all of this. Where are they on payment right now? As in, did they pay you this past Monday for the next two weeks? Or are they day by day? If they have already paid in advance for this week and/or next week, maybe use that as their "two weeks" and hope that this is all over by then? I feel like this is such a sticky situation for us, anyone know what centers are doing?

As far as payments now, they are on a weekly rate, and pay on Friday for that week's care that has already taken place. (Yes, I know, I know! I have everyone else pay in advance, but these people went through schedule changes like crazy awhile back. Dad's work kept messing with his shifts. They went from full time for both kids, to part time for one and full for the other, to part time for both, back to full time for both, etc., etc., and I got tired of re-figuring everything each week, so I switched them to paying AFTER care takes place so that I could just charge them actual amount instead of doing complicated math. Don't scold me!!) Anyway.... they are always current, and always pay on time. No problems whatsoever.

Again, thanks so much for your suggestions, everyone!! I'm really struggling on what to do with this one, and NEED your input!!!

[MyAngels]

If I could afford to do it I would probably allow them some time off unpaid as long as we kept in good contact as far as how long the layoff would last.

If I could not afford it I might offer them an opportunity to take the time off now unpaid, but then make up the unpaid fees later by paying an extra amount each week when they go back to work until they have paid the arrears.

Ideally people should have an emergency fund for just this type of situation, but realistically many people don't have that mindset.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you that this shutdown doesn't last long .

[Lucy]

If I could afford to do it I would probably allow them some time off unpaid as long as we kept in good contact as far as how long the layoff would last.

If I could not afford it I might offer them an opportunity to take the time off now unpaid, but then make up the unpaid fees later by paying an extra amount each week when they go back to work until they have paid the arrears.

Ideally people should have an emergency fund for just this type of situation, but realistically many people don't have that mindset.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you that this shutdown doesn't last long .

Good thoughts - thanks. Gosh, I just don't know what to do! I'm going to text Mom in the morning and set up a meeting. I hope I can come up with something coherent to say by then!!! :confused:

[Laurel]

This might be unpopular, but if it were me I'd try to let them off the hook for a few days if possible.
If it lasts longer than a week, set another meeting to re-discuss.
If you can't fill the spots anyway... the best you are going to do by charging here is get the two-weeks notice, and then they go somewhere else.
Or, you give them a few days off, and keep them.
JMHO.

Laurel

[Lucy]

Yikes... just now on The Today Show, the "expert" said it could be a week, maybe two weeks till this crud plays out.

[MyAngels]

Yikes... just now on The Today Show, the "expert" said it could be a week, maybe two weeks till this crud plays out.

I saw that too and thought of you. The first thing I did this morning was get online and send all of my Congressmen a message stating my displeasure about the way they are handling their jobs .

I equated it to real life. If my boss gave me a major assignment and a year to get the job done, but all I did was delay, stonewall and argue with my colleagues and end up causing major layoffs within my company, I'd get fired. I told them that I would campaign to get them fired, too, if they didn't shape up and do their jobs .

[Lucy]

I saw that too and thought of you. The first thing I did this morning was get online and send all of my Congressmen a message stating my displeasure about the way they are handling their jobs .

I equated it to real life. If my boss gave me a major assignment and a year to get the job done, but all I did was delay, stonewall and argue with my colleagues and end up causing major layoffs within my company, I'd get fired. I told them that I would campaign to get them fired, too, if they didn't shape up and do their jobs .

Love it! (But I still don't want this to get into a political discussion. Those never go well!)

So I set up a meeting. I have 5 hours to come up with a plan. You guys.... I still don't know what I'm going to do!!!!

[Maria2013]

This might be unpopular, but if it were me I'd try to let them off the hook for a few days if possible.
If it lasts longer than a week, set another meeting to re-discuss.
If you can't fill the spots anyway... the best you are going to do by charging here is get the two-weeks notice, and then they go somewhere else.
Or, you give them a few days off, and keep them.
JMHO.

that's my thinking