Friday Drama, Help Me Stay Strong

[KidGrind]

I feel that if she just plain does not respond to the email, the mom will take it as a negative. In other words, it'll make her think "Jeez, she couldn't even answer me! She just ignored my email like it wasn't there!" I don't think I'd want to take a chance of ticking her off if she's a really good client.

Out of respect for their good business relationship in the past as well as now, I would definitely respond to it... briefly. I would stick to my guns and not reveal any private issues.

Your suggested email response suggests there is a money situation. I don’t do a whole lot of back and forth with my clients ESPECIALLY when it involves another client. They respect the policies or they don’t and we can part ways. I say what I need to and move on. My method works best for me.

[KiddieCahoots]

I am a little confused. So the long term mom is agreeing to pay for the nephew out of her own pocket or maybe collect from deadbeat mom and give it to you?

If that is the case and you have no other problems with 'deadbeat family' (sorry but this is the easiest way to be clear as we don't have names), then I'd try letting her do it. I would tell her though that if it isn't paid on time then the arrangement will end and you'll have to term.

I personally wouldn't care who gave me the money. I mean if this is the only issue. If you think they will be a pain generally then I'd stick to my guns.

It looks like you already decided though so I think your letter is perfect. I like it.

Laurel

Good clients relieve stress I do what's feasible to keep them.

[TwinKristi]

I am also surprised by the non-payment. DCM did make a lot of excuses about getting on board saying Oh it's so hard being an at home mom with 3 kids and then working part time as the accountant of our family business 2 days a week. She mentioned this MANY times.

You do have a good point about they could very well be in a lot of debt. I know that they just sprung the bill for their family renuion of 50 people to all go to Disney world. We live in CA, so I bet that was a pretty penny.

The DCM does not drive super fancy cars, but I do know that they live in a 5700sf house with 4 acres of vineyards. they import and export wine from Italy and Chile. I have never even seen the DCD or really even hear anything other than he is always gone.

I have never posted about this family or the other family before.

I don't get it, I think that the DCM is just super High Maintenance and flaky and is used to having everyone doing everything for her......

So you had another family who wanted the cousin to attend your daycare who flaked as well? I remember you posting about a long term FT family you were worried about losing if the cousin didn't work out but mom wouldn't reply to your emails and return her paperwork for a spot a few months away. Weird!
And I agree, they may be credit rich and not cash rich.

[KidGrind]

they may be credit rich and not cash rich.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Family well-to-do does not mean kid’s well to do.

[My3cents]

Sorry this got really long..........

Back story. One of my long time families referred their cousin to enroll. Well this week ended the trial period. 3 weeks for PT spot. It actually ended up being a 4 week trail, the child got very ill during the trial period and missed one week, so I waived the fees for that week and extended out the trial period. I let the family know that this was a one time courtesy.

During the trial period the DCM had a really hard time catching on. I know she gave it her best efforts showing up with her check book and asking how much do I owe, despite the fact that I emailed her an invoice telling her the exact amount. only once did she pay on time during the trial period without my constant nagging for payment, not something I normally do. She paid 2 late fees during this time of $50 and $100.00

I felt that do to the child getting ill that the dcm was all over the place. The dcm was very out of it and trying to juggle a lot on her plate. The DCM was very upset about her child getting very ill and even emailed me to ask if anyone here at the DC had been very ill. I was a little upset by her comment, but I guess she was just trying to find out why her kid got so sick. DCM does have two other girls that are in formal schooling,lso I was sure to point that out.

Well I waived the late fee that week that the child was out sick along with the dc fees. I know that the DCM was being truthful because my husband works in the ER and he was there the night DCK was admitted.

Moving forward, DCk comes back, I tell mom that she still needs to pay for that week, that it was due last week, but I didn't want to make them come over while child was ill. She says MY BAD and will pay at pick up, again did not pay. (OH I am forgetting one major thing here. This family is VERY and I mean VERY well to do, so I know it's not a money issue.)

Pick up no $, I tell DCM again I need payment at drop off tomorrow, again no $. So I say ok, No pay, NO stay. DCM is a little upset. I told her that she needed to get on board with our program I know that it will take time to adjust but DCK can not stay without payment. She says can I leave dck here and go get my check book, I agree. Well DCM comes back with check book and I am in the middle of class. I try to explain what is owed should she want to move forward with our program on a permanent basis. DCM says yes, so I have her sign the permanent enrollment form and tell her that she needs to pay security deposit plus month of April Fees. DCM is like OH, I didn't know I needed to pay all of that, but ok I can do that. Something happens with one of the kids and I have to walk away. She gets a phone call steps outside and does not come back in. I see no check and no paperwork.

UGH. PIck up I tell DCM I sent you an invoice via email did you get it. DCM NOPE I didn't check my email. I told her well now I have provided services for you without payment, something I never do. I need for you to submit this weeks payment, late fee and April tuition by closing on Thursday at 6:00pm.

I sent one email letting DCM know that I was going to be in and out all day yesterday but she could leave papers and payment with my assistant in an envelope. I never heard back, so this morning I sent via email a termination notice and asking for payment for this week. I still hear nothing.

At drop off, the SIL says what happened with my nephew? SIL told me that you sent her a term letter. I tell DCM that I can't discuss it with her, that unfortunately we were not a good fit for each other and that I gave it my best shot. DCM begs me to take nephew back. Again pries for more information and I say nothing. I just say sorry, I am not at liberty to discuss this with you for reasons of confidentially. She says she understand, but just emailed me again begging to let her nephew come back and she will pay all fees owed.

I have not said anything at all. I don't know legally what I can say other than what I already did. The family that I termed did not even call me, email me or anything. THey have made zero attempt here to communicate with me.

Help me stay strong here. I don't want to move forward with this family and I most certainly do not want to lose my FT family that I have had for 3 years, they are one of my wonderful ones.

Sorry that this got so long any advise here would be great...UGH. BTW I could care less about the money that I am owed for the services that I already provided, not worth the fight for me. I just want to be able to secure my FT family and need to write an email back to them letting them know that.... I am afraid they are going to leave.............

have her come over and pay you and sit down and talk with her. Explain you need to be paid before services are rendered from this point foward and offer another two weeks trial... with payment being paid before services. Sometimes it just takes a bit to get into the groove of how daycare works. but have her pay you a week ahead and with knowing that if she doesn't pay kid doesn't stay....no more chances

[My3cents]

You’ve already explained it’s not a right fit. I wouldn’t send out an email. You’re fulfilling your contract with them. The other DCF isn’t contacting you, it should be a dead issue.