WWYD? Family Starting In Aug..Already Talking Sh!T! :-(

[Brustkt]

So I have a couple of children going to full-time K in the fall so I had two spots open. I mostly take care of teachers children and keep my summers light. I ended up with a few calls for the spots and really hit it off with one family so I offered her the spots. She told me she would let me know April 1st. She is a junior high school teacher. Long story short...last week my best friends daughter came home from school and told me that she overheard Mrs. SuchandSuch complaining to another teacher about how rediculous it is the $ daycare providers get away with charging! She said "why don't we get paid per child?" My best friend also does daycare and that is why her daughter was intrigued and shared with us. She had no idea I had interviewed that family.
Anyway, of course she texted me last night and wants the spots.
I know I need to let this go, but it drives me crazy! This is a very small town and I have no problem terminating if I feel the family is disrespectful. This job is hard enough without feeling like a family doesn't respect what you do.
P.S. I only charge $100 a week, yes..per child...give me a break!

[Blackcat31]

I don't think the family is disrespecting YOU personally, just not the profession.

There are tons of folks out there who think we watch TV and eat Bon-bons all day.

Whatever....as long as they follow my rules and pay me on time...they can think whatever they want....

I don't see them doing what I do.

[Play Care]

I don't think the family is disrespecting YOU personally, just not the profession.

There are tons of folks out there who think we watch TV and eat Bon-bons all day.

Whatever....as long as they follow my rules and pay me on time...they can think whatever they want....

I don't see them doing what I do.

[llpa]

It just stinks when people are so darned rude! However, she would be complaining about the money no matter who was providing care. Take her money and run with it she would never find care in my area for that price!

[Crazy8]

It just stinks when people are so darned rude! However, she would be complaining about the money no matter who was providing care. Take her money and run with it she would never find care in my area for that price!

I would do the above… but I would LIKE to say "oh I'm sorry, I filled the spots when I heard you weren't happy with my prices PER child".

[taylorw1210]

I would do the above… but I would LIKE to say "oh I'm sorry, I filled the spots when I heard you weren't happy with my prices PER child".

I would want to say the same! But I think she was just complaining about the expense, not what you charge. $100 per child a week is the lowest I think I've ever heard of!

[Brustkt]

Thanks Ladies...

I would LOVE to say that to her....

But, I will take the money and run...and if I ever feel she is disrespecting "me" personally...she can hit the road.

I know I am cheap...I am also the only provider in town with a degree in Early Childhood Ed. I keep it as close as possible to what the State pays for childcare in this area. The other providers charge around the same in town too. A little more, a little less.

[NoMoreJuice!]

Not personal

I agree that it wasn't personal. I feel pretty strongly that most teachers are severely underpaid for the important work they do, and I understand her jealousy. I make more money than all my teacher friends, and over a glass of wine they will occasionally gripe about it. I have 7 kids, they have over 30, and I make double their salary. They do get summers off, but they spend so much of it planning lessons and going to classes that I don't consider all of it "off."

Her remark was probably from jealousy, or she's swamped in debt and is having financial problems, and her only fault was that it was a little unprofessional that she would let a student hear it.

[Brustkt]

I agree that it wasn't personal. I feel pretty strongly that most teachers are severely underpaid for the important work they do, and I understand her jealousy. I make more money than all my teacher friends, and over a glass of wine they will occasionally gripe about it. I have 7 kids, they have over 30, and I make double their salary. They do get summers off, but they spend so much of it planning lessons and going to classes that I don't consider all of it "off."

Her remark was probably from jealousy, or she's swamped in debt and is having financial problems, and her only fault was that it was a little unprofessional that she would let a student hear it.

[Tdhmom]

I don't think the family is disrespecting YOU personally, just not the profession.

There are tons of folks out there who think we watch TV and eat Bon-bons all day.

Whatever....as long as they follow my rules and pay me on time...they can think whatever they want....

I don't see them doing what I do.

[daycarediva]

lovethis

I agree that it wasn't personal. I feel pretty strongly that most teachers are severely underpaid for the important work they do, and I understand her jealousy. I make more money than all my teacher friends, and over a glass of wine they will occasionally gripe about it. I have 7 kids, they have over 30, and I make double their salary. They do get summers off, but they spend so much of it planning lessons and going to classes that I don't consider all of it "off."

Her remark was probably from jealousy, or she's swamped in debt and is having financial problems, and her only fault was that it was a little unprofessional that she would let a student hear it.

having teacher friends, I agree with this. I make double their salary, with 1/4 the amount of children and no degree is required.

I also think that MOST of my clients think that daycare is expensive. It IS a big expense. Kids ARE expensive! They also don't see/know how much of that is actual profit, either.

[Blackcat31]

If I had the same benefit package as the teachers in my area did, I'd lower my rates for everyone.

[KSDC]

If I had the same benefit package as the teachers in my area did, I'd lower my rates for everyone.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

If I had the same benefit package as the teachers in my area did, I'd lower my rates for everyone.

Amen.

[TwinKristi]

Wow! She needs a wake up call! My weekly rate is more than double your's, and my drop-in rate is close to that for the DAY!!

I don't know what to do about your dilemma here though. I would just bite my tongue I guess!