Rejection...

[Jack Sprat]

I had a family come and interview on Wednesday. The interview went well. Mom is in her late 40's and dad is in is early 30's this is his first and her third child. They are very lax in a schedule and routine. Meaning 8m old baby had NONE. He goes to bed whenever, and I mean whenever. Mom works late so she said it wasn't unusual for baby to go to bed at 2 or 3 and sleep till noon or later. Dad was a stay at home dad. This raised concerns for me but, baby was very happy, came to me, played with myself and Dh. I told her we were very routine and it was my goal to get baby on our schedule within the first two weeks of care. I explained that he would take two naps a day. One in morning and one in afternoon. Yadda, yadda. Parents said they could understand why it had to be routine etc and seemed happy with the program etc. Said they would come be today with either $ to hold the spot or payment for his first week. So today I get a text from mom saying she thinks I would be great for a toddler but, with her crazy work schedule she didn't think we would be a good fit.

Not sure how to take this. Does she mean the routine thing is something she can't handle? What does that mean?? DH advised texting her and asking if it was something about my program and that I am always open to suggestions.

I guess this is more of a vent, pity party then a question. I'm rather bummed. I was so excited to have filled my one spot. I do keep telling myself the no routine at home thing wouldn't be good here and make for a hard transition. The more I think about it really they did mention that baby sometimes doesn't eat dinner till 10 or so at night. Okay done rambling. This was a blessing in disguise.

[butterfly]

This was a blessing in disguise.

[ihop]

Absolutely don't change your program to suit one family. My guess is that with a good infant schedule, he would be asleep when she got home from work and she would get to see him much.

I personally would never take a child with that schedule, or lack thereof. It would be a terrible transition and the child would likely be a train wreck all day.

[sharlan]

You dodged a bullet with this one. Be happy.

The mom was telling you that they can't work around your schedule for the baby. With the schedule that they have, there is no way that baby would be able to adapt to your schedule.

[cheerfuldom]

Dont worry about this any longer. I would bet this is more about the parents not wanting to abide by a drop off/pick up schedule than about their worry about their baby while in your care. For people that are really this unscheduled, it is far more than just being relaxed. This is as unscheduled as you can get. I would bet the major issue was that they would all have to wake early and consistently to get baby to your house. I assume that you wont allow people coming and going all day. I bet they just didn't realize at first that baby being in daycare means the whole family is then committed to daycare, you know?

[Brustkt]

Definitely a blessing in disguise!!! That sounds like a nightmare!!!

[MarinaVanessa]

This was a blessing in disguise.

"I completely understand. It is important that my clients share the same child care philosophy and if you feel that it is not a good fit I wish you well. Thank you very much for your initial interest in my daycare. I hope you find something soon."

[Naptime yet?]

I wonder what dad was going to do when baby was in your care (I know it wouldn't be any of my business, but still curious).

[Jack Sprat]

I wonder what dad was going to do when baby was in your care (I know it wouldn't be any of my business, but still curious).

He would be working.

Feel much better. I was disappointed. But, do see where it could have been a disaster. Thanks for pointing those things out!

[TwinKristi]

It's always disappointing when someone doesn't choose you, especially if you felt they would be a good fit. I just heard back from someone after 2wks that they chose someone else. Uhhhh yeah I figured that out last week! I've been tempted to ask what about me or my childcare home didn't seem appealing to them or if there was a major issue but I know that's just asking for trouble. And you truly can't change your policy based on each family so it's almost always for the best. A bummer, but for the best.

[Kabob]

He would be working.

Feel much better. I was disappointed. But, do see where it could have been a disaster. Thanks for pointing those things out!

I understand the rejection feeling when a parent says you aren't a good fit or they simply never get back to you...but it gets easier especially once you realize that they were doing you the kindness of saving you the headache. Imagine how upset you'd be if you turned down a potential interview or wasted time not advertising when a few days or months or so pass and you realize they are not a good fit and you have to go through terming them and finding a new family?

That was more rambling than I meant to do but still...hang in there!

[Josiegirl]

You probably both realized it wouldn't be a good fit; she was just the first to say it. Personally, very few programs could accommodate a schedule like that; mine certainly would be thrown all over the place.