Who Follows Their Policies To The Letter?

[AfterSchoolMom]

Most all of us here have policies for payment, early drops off/late pickups, late fees, illness, etc. I also know that many of us (myself included) feel guilty for sticking to them on occasion. I'm just curious as to how many of us actually follow our policies exactly as written? If you do, do your parents fight you on them, or do they seem to respect your rules?

I have a theory that maybe if I'd enforced all of my policies hard core from day one, I may be having an easier time of things now.

[marniewon]

I think you are right - if you start hard-core from day one they would probably respect you and your policies more! But I wouldn't know about that, I don't follow mine all the time I want to, and it makes me mad when parents don't follow my policies, but it's my fault for not enforcing them. I have so many excuses for why I don't always follow my policies, but I really shouldn't excuse them, I should just enforce them.

[laundrymom]

I make exceptions. This week I let a long time family use this week as their vacation week. She called fridAy and said... I know itsnot your policy but is there any way I can use next week as our vac week? I said yes.... And explained that because of their history. They always pay are never late picking up bring supplies. They deserve special consideration. Will I miss that money this week? Yes. Do I consider it worth it to repay the curtesy they have shown me every week for 3 years? Absolutely.

[nikia]

I think you are right - if you start hard-core from day one they would probably respect you and your policies more! But I wouldn't know about that, I don't follow mine all the time I want to, and it makes me mad when parents don't follow my policies, but it's my fault for not enforcing them. I have so many excuses for why I don't always follow my policies, but I really shouldn't excuse them, I should just enforce them.

Ditto this exactly!!!!!!!

[AfterSchoolMom]

I make exceptions. This week I let a long time family use this week as their vacation week. She called fridAy and said... I know itsnot your policy but is there any way I can use next week as our vac week? I said yes.... And explained that because of their history. They always pay are never late picking up bring supplies. They deserve special consideration. Will I miss that money this week? Yes. Do I consider it worth it to repay the curtesy they have shown me every week for 3 years? Absolutely.

Laundry, I think in cases like this, you're absolutely right to make an exception. Families should be rewarded for being GOOD families...but usually it's the bad families that expect the special treatment, kwim?

[momma2girls]

Over the years of doing daycare, I gave this one a break, then another one, then another one, and so on and on...... Almost everyone one of them wanted more and more, then some of them actually bit me in the butt!! From now on, I am sticking to my contract, late fees, etc. I placed this note, in the contract for the upcoming yr. these late fees will be implemented from now on.... I give a 5 min. window and that is it anymore. I used to have one family think nothing of being 15-30 min late almost every single day. THen another family would see that, and she started doing it as well. Not anymore, I am totally charging for late pickups anymore!!

[MyAngels]

My policies are fairly simple, my contract is 3 1/2 pages, just the basics, and so, yes, I generally will follow my policies. The one I will occasionally flex on is my illness policy, which I will use my best judgment at times to allow a child to attend who would not be able to under the policy as it's written. I have always been fortunate to have families that don't give me much grief as far as the various items in my contract, including on time payments, vacation, on time pickups, etc. I don't know what I've done to achieve that, but I'm greatful for it every day .

[legomom922]

I find sticking to it from day one is easier, because if you let something slide once or twice, its harder then to stick to your policy. Then they think "well you let us do this before". If they think your policies our negoitable, they will fight you on everything!

[momma2girls]

I find sticking to it from day one is easier, because if you let something slide once or twice, its harder then to stick to your policy. Then they think "well you let us do this before". If they think your policies our negoitable, they will fight you on everything!

You are so correct on this!! I wished I did this since day one!! LOL!!!!! Anyone starting new, take this great advice!!!

[nikia]

I find sticking to it from day one is easier, because if you let something slide once or twice, its harder then to stick to your policy. Then they think "well you let us do this before". If they think your policies our negoitable, they will fight you on everything!

I should have stuck to it on day one. You are so right I let things slide once and now they just keep going. Give an inch they take a mile. Not everyone is like this but I found more are than not.

[TGT09]

I'm a stickler when it comes to the more important policies but there are some that I'm lenient on. That probably sends a mixed message but depending on the situation I don't feel comfortable sticking to certain things.

[momma2girls]

I should have stuck to it on day one. You are so right I let things slide once and now they just keep going. Give an inch they take a mile. Not everyone is like this but I found more are than not.

I have really learnt the hard way as well!! GOod to see another Iowan on here!!!!

[Blackcat31]

I agree that starting out it would have been easier to stick to it, but sometimes things happen and we all try to be a little human and understanding (Unless you are the one paying..haha) but I have found that if things start getting a little out of hand, I will actually send a letter out saying that too many people are taking advantage of such and such policy so I will no longer be making exceptions. Gets them all back on track and makes the offenders feel somewhat guilty and all is well for bit until we start the cycle all over again! Whew! Should of just been strict from the beginning.

[legomom922]

I had an issue with myself not be able to charge the late pick up fee, so the way I fixed it for myself was to readjust my work week. Before my wk ran from m-f, with payday being fri. I gave them their invoice the same day they paid me, but it wouldnt reflect the late fee if they were late on Fri, and usually when they showed up on Fri, their ck or cash was already made out for their normal weekly amount.
So I changed it to run Fri-Th with payday still on Fri, however now I send home the invoice on Thurs, which enables me to charge them for any late fees for that week, and if they are late on Fri, I put that on next weeks invoice since Fri starts the new wk.

Works great so far! Now I charge the late fees with no problem!

[SandeeAR]

Guess I'm lucky to have 3 really great families. They are considerate of me and I am considerate of them. We work within each others needs.