Bracing for the Storm

[Unregistered]

Not a weather storm. A parent storm. I have a family who terminated me, without an end date. I gave them an end date, so now they say that I terminated them, and they do not owe me for an additional week per my contract.
Today she put polite nasty notes to all the parents in the kids' cubbies. Supposedly to "keep in touch and say goodbye" but also announcing where dcg will be going in glowing terms. Even though she told me she's very concerned that it's an "inferior daycare" and that I pushed them to that. Notes say several untrue things about me and how things went at the end. Anyway. She understands privacy policy because of where she works, and knows that I can't lawfully defend myself to my current families.
I have spent endless hours on this dcf. They are very unorganized and make my job harder than it has to be in so many ways. I worked hard to stay polite and professional, and still hold my ground.
I also spent hours in the past two weeks with a soon-to-begin dcf who just experienced a sudden illness and death in the family. Took their baby, talked to dcps and listened. I feel like I already know them, and I don't mind helping. It was all so hard for them to process. A new baby, and a death.
But it is all a big emotional mass of I-don't-know-what, kwim? I am exhausted.

[Kabob]

Um....isn't it illegal to be slandering your business like that and harassing the other parents? If she is still there, kick her out and give your licensor a heads up....

And I thought I had crazy parents...goodness I would be livid...

[craftymissbeth]

Oh heck no! There's no way if pit up with that another minute. Putting notes with untrue things about me in MY cubbies for my current DCP's?! No way!

Did you find them before your families saw them or did someone bring it to your attention?

[Unregistered]

I found them. Dcm brought a boatload of treats and goodies for everyone, with weird cards that say stuff like "my first crush". I think she thought she would overwhelm with "goodness" and I would be so busy sorting out her hot mess that I wouldn't look in the cubbies? Or that I am that duh? I know what's going on around here, believe me. I have had to check for meds & other stuff in her kids diaper bag for years.

[butterfly]

I'd remove all notes and hand them back to the parent. There is no way I'd allow that in my home.

That type of communication can be done outside of your business!

[NeedaVaca]

I would have taken them out of the cubbies! I don't see how she has the right to do that in your house and your place of business? I guess I could be wrong but I don't see how that would be unlawful, to not allow her to do that on your property and place of business...

[craftymissbeth]

Wait, did you put them back in the cubbies?!

[Unregistered]

No. Out. I am reading it to try to determine if it is libelous. (Is that a word?)

[saved4always]

I'd remove all notes and hand them back to the parent. There is no way I'd allow that in my home.

That type of communication can be done outside of your business!

Yes, this....tell her she cannot use the cubbies in YOUR home as mailboxes for letters of any kind, especially ones that slander you. She can mail the letters to the parents herself if she wants to send them so much. And don't give her any addresses. She can find them herself, including last names if she doesn't have them. What a "B".

[CraftyMom]

Wow! Just wow! Is this her last day? If not it should be!

[Heidi]

I think you can say that dck will no longer be there, that you can't give details, but to please take anything they here with a grain of salt.

Something like:

"I'm just letting everyone know that today was dck's last day. I can't really say much, but as I'm sure you realize that there are two sides to every story, and some hurt feelings here. If you have any concerns, please talk to me. Otherwise, I'm going to consider the subject closed".

You KNOW she's going to call or FB the other parents. I'd give them a heads-up, without any details.

I might also mention that you've contacted you licenser, and that she's aware of the situation. That's telling them something, without telling them anything...::

[sharlan]

Pull the flyers out of the cubbies, save one for your analyst, and give the rest back to the parents.

The parents know the truth.

[Play Care]

I think you can say that dck will no longer be there, that you can't give details, but to please take anything they here with a grain of salt.

Something like:

"I'm just letting everyone know that today was dck's last day. I can't really say much, but as I'm sure you realize that there are two sides to every story, and some hurt feelings here. If you have any concerns, please talk to me. Otherwise, I'm going to consider the subject closed".

You KNOW she's going to call or FB the other parents. I'd give them a heads-up, without any details.

I might also mention that you've contacted you licenser, and that she's aware of the situation. That's telling them something, without telling them anything...::

[MarinaVanessa]

I would pull them out, make photo copies of them, send copies to my licensor and say nothing more. If for whatever reasons DCM asks you what happened to them I would say "Oh, I found them and due to certain things that were written in them about me I sent them to licensing. Here is their number, feel free to call them and discuss them with licensing" if she nags about how they weren't yours to take I'd say "you and I both know that many of the cards had fabricated information. I showed them and your file to licensing an an attorney. I chose to remove them to save you and I the hassle of a civil suit" the end.

Either that or "what cards?"

[Heidi]

I would pull them out, make photo copies of them, send copies to my licensor and say nothing more. If for whatever reasons DCM asks you what happened to them I would say "Oh, I found them and due to certain things that were written in them about me I sent them to licensing. Here is their number, feel free to call them and discuss them with licensing" if she nags about how they weren't yours to take I'd say "you and I both know that many of the cards had fabricated information. I showed them and your file to licensing an an attorney. I chose to remove them to save you and I the hassle of a civil suit" the end.

Either that or "what cards?"

::