Stop Calling Me After Hours

[Blackcat31]

I would never ignore a text from a daycare parent.

I would however, reply to the text simply by stating: "ABC Child Care is closed. Please contact us during business hours. Thank you"

I would ignore their phone calls but if they called repeatedly rather than leaving a message, I would have no qualms answering the phone out of breathe and breathing heavily and as if they "caught" me doing something...you know... personal.

I actually have in my handbook a blurb about no communication after hours or on weekends unless it is a true emergency. If they need to tell me something, they can write it down and tell me the next time they drop off.

If they forget something here, then it wasn't important enough for them to remember it so they can wait until the next day to get it.

I don't live in my daycare and I have had a parent call in the evening to tell me DCK left a blankie or lovie at daycare and they "NEED" it... Sorry, Charlie...but their emergency is not MY emergency.

[Play Care]

Not Diva, but I will say it's hard to not answer the phone because it *could* be an emergency. I always feel the the one time I decide to put my foot down it would be a genuine emergency

[Evansmom]

I have in my contract that I only answer texts and phone calls during daycare hours and that's only when I'm able to. Kids are my priority and they get my primary attention. It's something I go over from the beginning when we first meet.

[MarinaVanessa]

One reason why I LOVE Google voice ... I have calls transfered to my cell and home phone, when daycare is closed I can turn it off. I don't always turn it off but I do ignore texts on weekends and evenings sometimes. When I do I say that I had it turned off. I do turn it off when I'm away for the weekend or at a family event.

[Unregistered]

yup

I had a DCD call this morning at 7;00 am to see if I could take his child... Mind you my kids today don't get here till 9:00... My BF and I were not happy and DCD dosen't have a clue. He came by last week for an interview and didn't want to waste my paperwork by taking it home. GRRRRR!

[boysx5]

I would NOT do this personally. Your business and you need to do what you need to do, but I wouldn't. I feel as though this is a HUGE sign of lack of trust. I would have to term and be done. I wouldn't waste my time documenting everything - what if you miss a bump? The documentation isn't going to stop the ridiculous calls after hours - will it?

I couldn't agree more

[daycarediva]

Not Diva, but I will say it's hard to not answer the phone because it *could* be an emergency. I always feel the the one time I decide to put my foot down it would be a genuine emergency

That is my concern. Dcb has chronic asthma. He is often in the ER (since Mom panics when he has a bad attack).

I told her I wont be answering from now on. That we can start documenting, or she can start signing the daily health check form, or we can let kids be kids and not be hyper concerned about minor injuries.

She got the point, backpedaled, knows dcb is safe and in good hands (I have this in print. Yay email) and does not want to document.

ANNNNNNNDDDDDDDDD dcb fell today on our walk. Nice scraped up elbow and a knee (he doesn't stop his falls) Sooooo we'll see now.

[Moppetland]

Do you know any businesses that answer phones after hours?

How about day care centers? Will a parent call the center if they forgot to get their DCK sweater out of their cubby, and really expect a teacher to answer or return their call at 1:00am in the morning? or at 12:00pm on a Saturday if they're closed?

Will a parent call the elementary school after hours, expecting for someone to pick up and answer their question about their child maybe falling on the playground that day, and the school closed 6 hours ago?

Therefore, in order for DCPs to respect your business as a business, then we must relieve ourselves of the unnecessary stress, and just don't allow it.

I have a separate number for my parents to call on. And I don't go near that phone after hours or on days I'm not opened. I have a family too, and there must be limits set. I'm just saying.

[sharlan]

My dcfs do not have my home number, only my cell. I leave my cell downstairs at night, so they can call or text all they want. I won't see it until I come downstairs in the morning.

[Heidi]

You know, this never used to bother me much, but lately there's been a lot of texts on weekends and evenings for stuff that isn't really even my problem to solve.

Like...why isn't the back-up sub (who is also my sub) answering my calls? or (another mom) texting me that dcb fell and split his lip (at home) and also wanting to know about her authorization. This one kills me, because she's almost always on her cellphone (ear piece) at drop offs and pick ups. So....you can't talk to me then?

[Play Care]

Do you know any businesses that answer phones after hours?

How about day care centers? Will a parent call the center if they forgot to get their DCK sweater out of their cubby, and really expect a teacher to answer or return their call at 1:00am in the morning? or at 12:00pm on a Saturday if they're closed?

Will a parent call the elementary school after hours, expecting for someone to pick up and answer their question about their child maybe falling on the playground that day, and the school closed 6 hours ago?

Therefore, in order for DCPs to respect your business as a business, then we must relieve ourselves of the unnecessary stress, and just don't allow it.

I have a separate number for my parents to call on. And I don't go near that phone after hours or on days I'm not opened. I have a family too, and there must be limits set. I'm just saying.

I do agree to an extent. But I also think many parents choose in homes over center care for the more personal service. Now I don't think that means you need to be on call 24/7, but I do think some give and take is a must.
Of course I haven't had major issues with evening/weekend calls, and if I did I'd address it directly. I've found that being ten years into this, I'm actually less inclined to make blanket policies (NO CALL ON WEEKENDS!) as I've found myself backed into a corner a lot in the early years because of it. I'm much more likely to see how things play out now.

[cheerfuldom]

I dont have an issue with the after hours stuff but that said, I have a small group and non-dramatic parents. Every now and then there is a set of parents that I will ignore. The ones that are so needy and everything is an emergency. It is pretty rare that they dont get the hint after awhile. I have never had a parent that called me 23 times. Now that, I would be all over. Strict/firm discussion in person with the clarification that this is NOT allowed and another incidence will be termination. I would not tolerate that at all!

[melilley]

That is really annoying. I used to have parents do that. Once I stopped texting, and only answered emails, all the nonsense calls stopped. Do these parents really think this kind of communication is going to continue in elementary school?! No way would that fly, they need a dose of reality!

I have one dcm who once had the nerve to come in on her cell phone, mouth "thank you" to me and take dcb and leave. Then about an hour later, calls me to ask something about his day. She has also called or has sent a text after hours a few times after that.
After that, I learned not to answer any of her texts or calls after hours. She hasn't done it in a long time.

[blandino]

I am also at this point with this. Two weekends ago I had a DCD text on a Saturday requesting a new copy of his tax statement to be emailed. Ordinarily, I would have done it right then. But I told him I would do it on Monday. I think he got my drift.

I am already available to these parents 52.5 hours a week. It is their lack of organization that makes them need to contact me after hours. My favorite saying is "A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine".

I am about to send out a letter say ing that any requests for statements/signed papers/ cafeteria plan forms, etc - will all be done on Mondays, (I do all my daycare paperwork on Mondays). If you ask on Tuesday, it will be done the following Monday.


A few weeks ago I had a DCM call me on a Saturday to tell me about DCG's symptoms. It's like they forget that this is my JOB. If I am considered "on-call" then I should get paid for it

[Starburst]

I would be insane. Poor kid.

I had a mom call me 9am on 4th of July last year to see if dcb liked just peanut butter or peanut butter & jelly better. Really? It's that important??? And you mean you don't know yourself???

That just goes to show that she knows you know her kid better than she does. Which is kind of sad...