Parents Are Driving Me Crazy

[sammyj]

This has been a short week all fees were reduced and out of the five parents that were to pay me this week on the first day I reopened only two paid me and only one of the three that didnt pay called to apologize because they had forgotten due to the short week. For the last two months I have had numerous late payments and to top it off they walk in here bring their children and dont even bother to say why they have not made payment I have to ask for the payment then they tell me for whatever reason they have to pay me whenever. At Christmas time I had a calendar special made with color pictures listing bdays and other events and not one even thanked me or said they liked the calendar. In all my years of doing dc I have never charged a late fee but a notice is going out today informing them that late fees will be enforced, payments will be made on time or I will not provide care. I dont want to be harsh but my bills are suffering because of these constant late payments. I do think of my (personally) as a ministry but the line has to be drawn.

[coolconfidentme]

I have learned that if there are not consequences, people will not be punctual in paying.

[melilley]

You could have them prepay. My families pay me on Friday's for care for the next week or they can't come, that way I don't have to worry about if they are going to pay me or not. Just an idea...

[MotherNature]

The late payments **** & I have a hard time enforcing late fees as well, but to not even thank you for your Christmas gift? Rude!

[mrsnj]

Send a notice and mention it so they understand. They expect their paycheck on time and would not be pleased if their boss forgot or they had to ask for their paycheck. Their payment pays your bills. And they should be considerate of you too. Then charge them

[Cat Herder]

Can you explain how your program is a ministry? I am not familiar with this...

[sammyj]

Re: Ministry

I feel that opening my home to care for children is not just a business I know that I have to be professional have a contract and be "Businesslike" for the very reason I posted this thread in the first place, but when I say ministry It is almost like a Pay-it--Forward thing when my children were small and I needed child care I had some very special people in my life who provided that for me free of charge. As it turns out the great majority of my parents are single parents and I realize and can relate to there struggle. Most of my parents have appreiciated how I work with them when they have "situations" and in return have not taken advantage of of my generosity. There have been times that I have kept children for free for a week taken a partial fee and keep my fees as low as I can. I am a Christian woman and I am led by God to do certain things in fact I was very conflicted as I sent those notices out but I prayed about it and realized as in Jermiah 11 that God does want us to prosper and he also wants our needs to be met so I felt like I can be generous and kind yet not cause myself hardship becasue other peoples spirit dont alliagn with mine.

[TwinKristi]

Unfortunately in this business it typically leads to parents taking advantage of you and not treating you as a professional but as someone who's doing this for the ministry side and don't really "need" the money. If your bills are suffering than this isn't just about ministry but that you're relying on this money as income. That's then a profession. It's hard to maintain both of those without hurt feelings.
My DCP when my kids were little was funded by the state subsidy program and then a 3rd party plan. When that all expired my provider worked with me on what I could afford as ALL my kids (4) were in her care and I'd been with her like 8yrs at that point and this was 9yrs ago. She happily took 50% of my pay which ended up being $250/wk for an infant and toddler and 2 after school kids M-F. But now that we're no longer "friends" (long drawn out story!) she said I took advantage of her. 3 other providers, a friend who nannied, another license exempt type nanny we knew through a DCP and a licensed DCP, all took this rate in the year plus that followed before I stayed home after #5. It really hurts my feelings that she now wants to be rude about it when she could have just said no. But I always paid her on time, every Fri after work. I always picked my kids up on time or pre-arranged any changes. I was not one of "those parents" and it seems like resentment is building up with your arrangement. I would somehow try and convey that while your services are discounted and based on many different situations, fees are still to be paid in full on time or there will be a penalty of $X per day. I also agree with prepaying. It's just so much easier.

[Sunchimes]

I think that your daycare can be a ministry yet not affect your payments and your own bills. There are so many other ways to minister to children besides financially. Do you see a child who needs new shoes or a warmer coat? Do you see a child who won't get a fun birthday party because mom can't afford it or can't be bothered (yes, those count just as much as money things.) I suspect that you minister to these children each and every day by your words and actions. Do you point out the tiny ants and pretty flowers and blue skies? You are introducing them to the joys of God's world--that's a ministry. Do you make sure that all children are taught that they are loved and valued and smart--things they may not hear at home because of time constraints or poor parenting? All of those things are a ministry even if they don't involve money. I think we all fall into the trap of thinking that it has to involve money. For parents with financial problems, there are programs to help, places to go, sacrifices to make--it doesn't have to be you whose bills are late. There aren't any places for children to feel loved, valued, thoroughly hugged, and taught to enjoy our world except you. In short (oops, too late for that) you can give these kids the most important ministry in their lives and still pay your bills on time.

[sammyj]

Re: Responses

Love the comments much insight and things I never thought about. Someone said that there are programs for those who need assistance and the irony of that is that out of 6 I only have 2 private pay parents the rest are subsidized and only have to pay me a few dollars per week and yet... I beloieve things will get better even if I have to lose someone.