Just Venting

[cara041083]

All of my dck are not here today except for 1. Okay no big deal I get paid no matter what. Well it turns out this mom is off today and still brought her just because. If I had known that I would have not charged her for the day just to be able to take my own kids to do something fun. And as I sit here I'm starting to realize how much my own kids are missing out on because I'm to busy taking care of other people's kids. Just feeling blue

[cara041083]

And I do want to add that this mom knew I had no kids but didn't tell me she was off (she gets 2 weekdays off a month) until she showed up this morning.

[hope]

This is the perfect time to plan a day off for yourself and plan something fun for just you and the kids! Even if you can't take a day off for a month or so it will give you and your kids something to look forward to. AND I would let this dcm know that you are planning this day because today made you realize just how much your kids miss out on due to other parents needing me time.

[Blackcat31]

But if you didn't know she was off, this wouldn't be bothering you right?

Sometimes knowing something makes a big difference.

I am sorry you are stuck with just one kid but like you said you are getting paid.

Maybe in the future, you could ask her if she would be kind enough to let you know when she is off and you can plan to be closed those days and not charge her.

Also even though she is off from work it doesn't necessarily mean she doesn't have other things to take care of today. Not many kids like going with their mom to her gyno appointments... :: or whatever she might be doing.

[cara041083]

But if you didn't know she was off, this wouldn't be bothering you right?

Sometimes knowing something makes a big difference.

I am sorry you are stuck with just one kid but like you said you are getting paid.

Maybe in the future, you could ask her if she would be kind enough to let you know when she is off and you can plan to be closed those days and not charge her.

Also even though she is off from work it doesn't necessarily mean she doesn't have other things to take care of today. Not many kids like going with their mom to her gyno appointments... :: or whatever she might be doing.

Yes u are right. I'm only bothered because I know. But this mom calls into work constantly but then tells me she will get fired if she has to call in because I have a doc apt or something. Unfortunately This Is Just How She is. And it's taking everything I have to be professional and not call her out on it.

[Play Care]

Yes u are right. I'm only bothered because I know. But this mom calls into work constantly but then tells me she will get fired if she has to call in because I have a doc apt or something. Unfortunately This Is Just How She is. And it's taking everything I have to be professional and not call her out on it.

Well now, that's a whole different situation.

Honestly for those people I just close when *I* realize I'll only have the one. Sometimes it might encourage them to seek other care. That's usually more than okay

[cheerfuldom]

I have a rule for days like that....if attendance is low, we go out and do stuff and I will take an extra DCK with me. We are not getting stuck at home for situations like this.

[CraftyMom]

I would have taken dck with me and gone to do something fun, but we go places all the time. Some providers don't travel with dck's

[sally]

This is why after this school year I am changing my hours and letting 1 family go. That way I can have more time with my own kids before my youngest starts school.

[cara041083]

I would have taken dck with me and gone to do something fun, but we go places all the time. Some providers don't travel with dck's

I can't. I am licensed by the state and I don't have the required paperwork for my can and kids that I need to go

[midaycare]

Bummer, sorry :-( But I don't see anything wrong with what dcm is doing? I'm sure I'm in the minority, but if she is paying for the day, and it's contracted hours, it just becomes part of the job.

It never bothers me if parents are working, getting their hair done, or going shopping.

You may not be able to go places with your kiddos, but you are home with them. That's pretty awesome :-)

[Play Care]

Bummer, sorry :-( But I don't see anything wrong with what dcm is doing? I'm sure I'm in the minority, but if she is paying for the day, and it's contracted hours, it just becomes part of the job.

It never bothers me if parents are working, getting their hair done, or going shopping.

You may not be able to go places with your kiddos, but you are home with them. That's pretty awesome :-)

Generally I agree with you. However the OP has said this mom claims she's not able to keep the child home on days the OP requests off or able to pick the child up when she needs to be picked up early because she doesn't have the time at work... I imagine the OP would be less concerned with how mom handles her PTO if she actually was using some of it appropriately, KWIM?

[midaycare]

Generally I agree with you. However the OP has said this mom claims she's not able to keep the child home on days the OP requests off or able to pick the child up when she needs to be picked up early because she doesn't have the time at work... I imagine the OP would be less concerned with how mom handles her PTO if she actually was using some of it appropriately, KWIM?

I understand that. But on those days ... then it's "too bad dcm, I need the time and I am taking it."

[cara041083]

Here is an example. I would say this mom calles in at least once a week and brings me the kids. I am 100% ok with that. I have in my contract that you pay for the spot and I get paid no matter what. Well I have been having some dental issues. So I have had to take about 3 days off in the last 2 months. All of which I have either paid my back up or not charged her for the days for the inconvenience. I was told that I was going to get her fired because she can't miss any more work. Same with my vacation. I gave her 4 months notice. Her response was well im taking my in nov and this won't work for me. If I could term this mom I would. I just have SA kids of my own, and if she would have told me she was off I would have offered her a "free day" and not charged her so that I could have taking my kids to the pool or something. She knows that on wed her kids are the only one's here. Its not that I wanted her to keep her kids home and still pay for it. I just could have used the day as an opportunity instead. In my mind, I really want to tell this woman that if she didn't blow all of her time off, she wouldn't get into trouble and be blaming me. but thats just me

[Blackcat31]

Here is an example. I would say this mom calles in at least once a week and brings me the kids. I am 100% ok with that. I have in my contract that you pay for the spot and I get paid no matter what. Well I have been having some dental issues. So I have had to take about 3 days off in the last 2 months. All of which I have either paid my back up or not charged her for the days for the inconvenience. I was told that I was going to get her fired because she can't miss any more work. Same with my vacation. I gave her 4 months notice. Her response was well im taking my in nov and this won't work for me. If I could term this mom I would. I just have SA kids of my own, and if she would have told me she was off I would have offered her a "free day" and not charged her so that I could have taking my kids to the pool or something. She knows that on wed her kids are the only one's here. Its not that I wanted her to keep her kids home and still pay for it. I just could have used the day as an opportunity instead. In my mind, I really want to tell this woman that if she didn't blow all of her time off, she wouldn't get into trouble and be blaming me. but thats just me

Okay, first mistake was taking into consideration her issues...

If YOUR vacation dates don't work for her, SHE has to figure it out

If YOU need to close, do so. SHE can figure it out.

She is giving you excuses because you have accepted them. Do your sanity a favor and stop listening to her details about work.

ALL you need to care about is days you are open and days you need to close. SHE can work out the rest or find new care.