I Think I Was Rude To DCM - Convince Me I Wasn't

[Blackcat31]

You said she had to walk over with older child, so that may have taken a little more time than she intended. Since things were so close, why do you need to fuss over a few mins here and there.

Because those few minutes belong to the provider. Those few minutes were NOT part of what the mother is paying for and being late is completely disrespectful.

Plus if the mom had to walk with the older child, SHE should have made the adjustment and left earlier if having someone else with slowed her down.
Just because the provider is in her own home does NOT make HER time for HER family AFTER hours any less valuable than the daycare moms and the provider doesn't always have to be the one to "adapt" and "let it slide" when it has to do with the actions of OTHER people.

If more people stopped making excuses for these parents and stopped letting it go, maybe more parents would be respectful to their providers and stop being late.

Just change her pick up time and make it earlier. You chose to have your o w n business, these are the things that happen to a business owner. Go work for some pre school and you can get home on time without missing anything . And yes, even if you had a retail or food service business, people linger. You can't close your doors always at 6 or whenever on the dot.

You are right, the provider DOES own her own business and she does get to set the rules and her rules say she closes at a specific time. That means AT that time, not a few minutes later.

People DO linger but if other business allow that...good for them but this provider doesn't have to just because some people are rude enough to not be considerate of others and their time.

I CAN and DO close my doors on the dot. EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.

[crazydaycarelady]

She didn't walk to my house from her house. She walked down my driveway from her car, and considering she was already late I questioned why she took the older (6yo) child out and brought her to the door too.

I would like to see you work a 10 hour day with NO break and see how you feel after the same customer is late 3 times in one week.

[lovemykidstoo]

She didn't walk to my house from her house. She walked down my driveway from her car, and considering she was already late I questioned why she took the older (6yo) child out and brought her to the door too.

I would like to see you work a 10 hour day with NO break and see how you feel after the same customer is late 3 times in one week.

Unregistered = troll trouble maker haha

Did you see her today? How'd it go?

[Crazy8]

When she apologized, did you slip and say "oh, don't worry about it" or something like that? We are always so nice....until we're not.

I would email or call her and just clarify as the PP said.

...Sorry if I was rude, I was worried about DH, and the late thing is getting excessive, especially on a Friday. You adore her child, and you've always enjoyed working with her, but now you have to scold her or charge her a late fee. You don't want to do that, so can she please make sure to get here by 5:30? Thanks so much...

I tend to be too nice in person with the "oh, don't worry about it" but then steam about it later. You need to be honest and while you may want to apologize for being a little short with her at the door you need to address the late issue now before it becomes a bigger issue.

And I understand what you are saying about her bringing the other child in with her and that speaks volumes about how she sees being late. If she had any regard for it she would have just run in and grabbed dck while the other child waited in the car in your driveway.

[crazydaycarelady]

All was well today. Sometimes I think I stress out about something and the dcparents probably don't even give it a second thought.

As for safety and leaving the older child I the car - I am very rural. There is NO ONE around, and she could see the car the whole time.

[Play Care]

All was well today. Sometimes I think I stress out about something and the dcparents probably don't even give it a second thought.

I totally agree - this is something I have been working on - not letting things keep me up or weigh on my mind, because it's usually abundantly clear that *I'm* the only one who suffers for it!