I Hate Having A Back Bone..

[DancingQueen]

I've left before.
but I've always been so casual with this family
lesson learned. I feel like he has this threat of leaving and going to old daycare hanging over me - but I couldn't care less... if they want to leave then leave. It would stink because I LOVE THIS LITTLE GIRL and her older sibling (not by this father) comes as well and I would hate to lose them - but I'm not going to sacrifice myself in the process.

[Live and Learn]

I think that you need to find a way to make this be his problem not the mom's.
I like the idea of leaving. make sure and tell him at pickup that you have a new policy of paying late fees at pickup and that you have commitments that require him to be gone by 5:00. If you leave the house be sure and head in the opposite direction of his house.
I really believe that you should raise your late fees until it really really hurts for this guy.....payable at pickup.
Good luck....

[marniewon]

I think that you need to find a way to make this be his problem not the mom's.
I like the idea of leaving. make sure and tell him at pickup that you have a new policy of paying late fees at pickup and that you have commitments that require him to be gone by 5:00. If you leave the house be sure and head in the opposite direction of his house.
I really believe that you should raise your late fees until it really really hurts for this guy.....payable at pickup.
Good luck....

Normally I would say this should work, and this is what you should do.....except, what is the "or else"? Pay the late fee at pick up "or else"....what? Dcg can't come in the morning? Well, that's great for dad - he wants her at the other dc anyway! Given the situation that you're in with this family, i would take pp's advice and LEAVE! Take dcg and go, leave a note on the door, and go. If he has to chase you all over town, he will think twice about being late again.

[MarinaVanessa]

Normally I would say this should work, and this is what you should do.....except, what is the "or else"? Pay the late fee at pick up "or else"....what? Dcg can't come in the morning? Well, that's great for dad - he wants her at the other dc anyway! Given the situation that you're in with this family, i would take pp's advice and LEAVE! Take dcg and go, leave a note on the door, and go. If he has to chase you all over town, he will think twice about being late again.

Yes, make it inconvenient for HIM to "give him a taste of his own medicine". There's no reason why you should be treated this way. He is showing that he has no respect for your time and that stinks. If you leave a few times and make it inconvenient for him he should get the point.

I tried this a few times with a client that did not get the point or cared that I charged late fees. This made me very frustrated. A couple of trips to the next town over in the opposite direction to their home for some emergency items that I just could not do without (supposably) did the trick. I even had to go as far as waiting for the initial call and telling them where I was and then not answering my phone once they got there making them have to get out of their car and come hunting for me. I made sure to always be moving once inside the store or wherever. Once they found me I was nice as always and sweet as pie.

I mean, what is he going to do? Be mad at you because he was late and you had things to do? ::.

[Crystal]

I'd be VERY careful about leaving with his child when you know he will be there soon. He COULD consider it kidnapping if you have not been given permission, in writing, to leave with the child at that time. Not likely that a parent WOULD consider it kidnapping and call authorities, BUT this guy sounds like he may be the type to do it if you reverse the tables and treat him as he treats you.

I'd give him written notice about your late fees, stating that effective immediately all late fees will be enforced and are due and payable at time of late pick up. If he continues to push it wit you, I'd inform Mom to either put a stop to it or she will be the only person on scheduled pick ups and if it continues then termination notice will be given.