Groan...

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

My 3-day-a-week (WThF) dcd texted asking to trade tomorrow for Wednesday. I'm annoyed because I arranged for my new baby and mom to visit us tomorrow BECAUSE their child would not be here. It is going to be difficult to love on the new baby that I haven't met yet with their 10mo clamoring for my attention as well. Which happens every day anyway, but not for mama to witness.

I wanted to text back and say, sorry, I can't do it...but I know it is going to seriously tick them off, and I already have 2 spots to fill. Would it be wise to say okay, but also let him know that while I have space that day, it is truly an inconvenience and I would like more notice? If so, can you help me with wording?

I feel like I am having trouble finding the middle ground of daycare policy gestapo and little-miss-flexible!

[MarinaVanessa]

"Aww, wish I could. I filled tomorrow with another child. So sorry"

OR

Depending on what time your meeting tomorrow is you could offer to switch days if they drop off after the meeting is over. Say meeting is at 8:30am:
"Aww, I filled tomorrow morning with another child. It's only a couple of hours though. I have 10am-close available."

They contracted for W-Fri. THEY are causing themselves an inconvenience by changing the schedule, not you.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

"Aww, wish I could. I filled tomorrow with another child. So sorry"

OR

Depending on what time your meeting tomorrow is you could offer to switch days if they drop off after the meeting is over. Say meeting is at 8:30am:
"Aww, I filled tomorrow morning with another child. It's only a couple of hours though. I have 10am-close available."

They contracted for W-Fri. THEY are causing themselves an inconvenience by changing the schedule, not you.

I agree. You are not a baby-sitter or a nanny service ... they are not your employer. They bought a certain slot. THAT is the days they can use.

[deliberateliterate]

Ditto the above. If they are peeved, oh well. Word the email in an "oh darn, I wish I could, but"...kind of way. If they want access to all 5 days, they should pony up payment for all 5 days.

[preschoolteacher]

I wouldn't do it. Each time you do it gives them more go-ahead to switch on you in the future.

[Second Home]

If you feel having their child is going to mess up your meeting then do not take him . It is worth it to be stressed out during the meeting knowing it won't go the way you want with him there .

[MarinaVanessa]

If you feel having their child is going to mess up your meeting then do not take him . It is worth it to be stressed out during the meeting knowing it won't go the way you want with him there .

Yes this, switching days is only possible upon availability right? Well tomorrow you're not available.

[SignMeUp]

Yes this, switching days is only possible upon availability right? Well tomorrow you're not available.

I had a parent ask to switch days this week too, for free. I don't switch under normal circumstances. Families can ask for an additional day, and let me know that they don't need their regular day. Both paid.

I have switched, for family emergencies - a grandparent suddenly hospitalized, etc. But that is at my prerogative.

But you are not available that day

[e.j.]

I agree with the others. If it were me, I'd say, "Ordinarily I'd be happy to help you out but I don't have an opening tomorrow. You may want to give me more notice in the future just to make sure I do have an opening. I can't always accommodate changes on such short notice."

The family contracted for W-Fri. Unless you agreed to switch days anytime they want, I think you're well within your rights to refuse care on a day they don't generally pay for - especially since you did make plans based on dc child not being there tomorrow.