How Do I Fix This?

[melilley]

I have a p/t ( M, Th, Fri) dcf that I just love. I have told mom in the past that if there is an opening on a day that dcb doesn't attend and if they want to switch a day, that I would be more than happy to do so.

Well last year was my first year open and I was dumb and let dcf switch days even when I was closed due to a holiday or a vacation day even though my policy is they have to pay for holidays/5 personal days if they are scheduled on that closed day. Well this year, I have gotten smarter and realized that these are my PAID days off. So Memorial Day of this year, dcm of course switched days and I stood my ground and told her that Fri. was a paid day so if she wanted that extra day, she had to pay. She ended up paying. Then I was closed this past Fri. for a personal day and she switched days and I let her, without paying. Dumb on my part!

So this morning, dcm comes in with a "schedule" for the next 8 weeks (she is in school). It's the same as always EXCEPT for this week..she wants M-Wed...it's the 4th of July and he's scheduled on Fridays!'s She went to hand me the schedule and says "oh yeah, I forgot that you are closed Fri. so I'll let you know the days when I pick up". She hands me the schedule and leaves and right on the schedule, it says closed for the 4th! I think she was trying to pull a fast one to see if I would say anything about having to pay an extra day since she switched. Lets see what she says. I'm definitely going to tell her that Fri. is a paid holiday and if she wants to add a day, she has to pay.

I know it's my fault for letting her not pay for a paid closed day and I didn't used to mind, but now I realize that I deserve a day off or a day without their child and to be paid even if I said they could switch-I meant switch on non paid closed day.

How do I fix this? What should I say to her? I feel dumb for letting her get away with it and then enforcing my policies, but I thought she would realize from Memorial Day, that she has to pay if I'm closed and she switches because of that.

[NeedaVaca]

For me I love these short weeks with a paid vacation day! I really really look forward to them Maybe on holiday or any paid time off weeks just tell her you are not available for the day she needs switched. I'm sorry DCM I don't have room for him that day. If you don't mind the switching on other weeks then keep doing what you are doing but just never have space for him on the vacation weeks?

[Blackcat31]

Just tell DCM that when you said switch days you meant switching one paid day for another paid day. Not switching days to avoid paid holidays.

I'd send her a quick e-mail/text clearing up the miscommunication.

[AmyKidsCo]

Just tell DCM that when you said switch days you meant switching one paid day for another paid day. Not switching days to avoid paid holidays.

I'd send her a quick e-mail/text clearing up the miscommunication.

I read once that as a parent, if you bend a rule once you have to enforce it 12-15 times before your child realizes you're serious about it. I think it's the same with DCP when we let a policy slide once or twice...

[melilley]

I read once that as a parent, if you bend a rule once you have to enforce it 12-15 times before your child realizes you're serious about it. I think it's the same with DCP when we let a policy slide once or twice...

:: I think so!

[Sugar Magnolia]

Ugh, melilley, I know, I do this same thing, all the time. I'm doing it this week, and I have a lot of part timers. Cost me a couple hunge. And I've been doing this almost ten years. I don't really mind, I just annoy myself sometimes.

[TwinKristi]

Haha! I have had 2 sets of parents try this on me now and called them both out and said it would be extra for that day since it's a paid holiday on a day they often come. One mom decided to drop a day to avoid the extra and one is paying the extra. Usually if it's a day they don't come, like ever, then I don't charge. Like a family who comes Thurs & Fri ONLY I wouldn't charge for a Monday holiday. But a family who comes 4 varying days some weeks Tues-Fri and some weeks off Wednesday I would charge Fri holidays. If parents switch on purpose to avoid paying that's just plain rude and like I said, I told both parents who tried to do that that it's an extra day when they tried to get their 3-4 days out of the week and avoid the holiday pay! No way Jose!!

[midaycare]

That is frustrating! Can you tell her you need her to stick to the same 3 days now? That would avoid any future issues.

[rosieteddy]

Send the text Blackcat suggested .Short and to the point. Things change and as we work longer in this field we can change ,with notice our policies.Sorry Daycare Parent this arangement is not working for me anymore.Thats all change it but start this week.

[TwinKristi]

Of course I end up with a text this evening (from the DCBs grandpa who's paying for care via DCM) about why she has to pay for Friday when she wasn't going to use Friday this week anyway. LOL I explained politely that a) it's a contracted holiday for a day you've used the last 6 mos, this would be the first Friday he hasn't been here in 6mos unless home sick or something and b) she has the option of using 2 days and the holiday for their 3rd instead of 3 plus the holiday. She said he understood. I doubt he does and I bet he's bitching about it but paying anyway or he doesn't come one day. My backbone is finally in!