Parents Say The Dumbest Things

[SignMeUp]

I had a ridiculous one, years ago. A parent did not want to pay over the Christmas holidays because her older child did not have school so she was taking time off work. She figured she might as well short me last-minute and have plenty of fun money

I stuck to my contract and said she could certainly keep younger child home if she wished, but she needed to pay me. She politely questioned why and I politely explained that I had just bought gifts for all of the children (including both of hers), things for the children to make for their parents, specialty foods for our holiday celebration, and that I also had to pay regular bills and provide Christmas for my own family

She said: Well if you can't afford to pay your bills, maybe you should rent out some rooms in your house. :confused::confused:

I don't even remember what I said, but I know what I thought ::
If you can't afford to pay your bills, why don't you rent out your children's rooms?

[drseuss]

Ugh, I got a version of that a couple of weeks ago. "Well she doesn't work". I'm sure dcm meant that I don't have to physically travel to a job...right.?

Reading this made my blood pressure shoot up. That would have been the moment when dcm would have learned a thing or two about a thing or two. Don't think I could stop myself.

[MommaB3]

I once told a perspective client that I had a degree in Early Childhood Education and he said, "Really? Why didn't you go on to be a teacher?" as in an elementary school teacher. He just couldn't believe someone with a degree would "sit at home" and watch kids.

His wife is a nurse and I so badly wanted to ask, "Why didn't your wife go on to be a doctor?"

[taylorw1210]

I FINALLY got the "I wish I didn't have to work (implied: like you) and could hang out with babies all day" comment.

I now truly am a daycare provider

Oh man, I don't know if I could still have the family in my care that said that to me! I've only ever gotten compliments and praise from people for being a daycare provider.

[melilley]

I had a ridiculous one, years ago. A parent did not want to pay over the Christmas holidays because her older child did not have school so she was taking time off work. She figured she might as well short me last-minute and have plenty of fun money

I stuck to my contract and said she could certainly keep younger child home if she wished, but she needed to pay me. She politely questioned why and I politely explained that I had just bought gifts for all of the children (including both of hers), things for the children to make for their parents, specialty foods for our holiday celebration, and that I also had to pay regular bills and provide Christmas for my own family

She said: Well if you can't afford to pay your bills, maybe you should rent out some rooms in your house. :confused::confused:

I don't even remember what I said, but I know what I thought ::
If you can't afford to pay your bills, why don't you rent out your children's rooms?

, just Yeah dcm, I'll rent out my rooms just so YOU can skip a payment.

I had one dcm try to pull the same thing for Christmas, except that I was only open for 3 days that week and I lost power so I didn't open. Dcm called and asked if she could not pay because dh couldn't work (I have suspicions that this was a lie) because of not having power, I actually used my backbone and told her she still had to pay. Then the week after she said they gave money to a friend that week to help her out, I'm all about helping out, but I have a family too.

[DaisyMamma]

I had a ridiculous one, years ago. A parent did not want to pay over the Christmas holidays because her older child did not have school so she was taking time off work. She figured she might as well short me last-minute and have plenty of fun money

I stuck to my contract and said she could certainly keep younger child home if she wished, but she needed to pay me. She politely questioned why and I politely explained that I had just bought gifts for all of the children (including both of hers), things for the children to make for their parents, specialty foods for our holiday celebration, and that I also had to pay regular bills and provide Christmas for my own family

She said: Well if you can't afford to pay your bills, maybe you should rent out some rooms in your house. :confused::confused:

I don't even remember what I said, but I know what I thought ::
If you can't afford to pay your bills, why don't you rent out your children's rooms

I wouldn't have explained anything. Its all in the contract. I would have said "payment is due regardless of attendance, as always."

[DaisyMamma]

"I'm sure dcg means that she misses mommy. I KNOW dcg would love for mommy to pick her up at 6 tonight to take her to get ice cream. Right dcg?? "


Right back at ya, dcm!!

That's the answer, right there.

[KiddieCahoots]

I FINALLY got the "I wish I didn't have to work (implied: like you) and could hang out with babies all day" comment.

I now truly am a daycare provider

Ditto!
My mom had just adopted a baby for the first time, and said it with a genuine smile. I just chalked it up to inexperience, and her thinking.....working with babies is ALWAYS so much fun! ::......

[Blackcat31]

I FINALLY got the "I wish I didn't have to work (implied: like you) and could hang out with babies all day" comment.

I now truly am a daycare provider

I have a couple DCM's that have said that before.

My standard reply is

"Yes, it's fantastic. The pay, respect and appreciation **** but the babies are awesome!"

[spud912]

I have a couple DCM's that have said that before.

My standard reply is

"Yes, it's fantastic. The pay, respect and appreciation **** but the babies are awesome!"

What is their standard response ::::?

[Blackcat31]

What is their standard response ::::?

Most just hurry out the door.