Wwyd? Future Infant Spot...

[TwinKristi]

So I had an ex-coworker write me back in like Feb-Mar about a PT spot in late Oct for her unborn baby. I told her I would love to but have no idea what my numbers will look like then and to contact me closer to time so she could come by and such. We talked again in like June, still 6wks or so before she was due and again I told her to talk to me once the baby is born so they can come by and meet me and see my home, etc. I sent her a copy of my contract which specifically states that I take a 2wk deposit for entry. I saw on Facebook baby was born in mid or late-July I think and I haven't heard from her since. I've since enrolled a new baby to start FT in early Oct when my youngest almost 2yr old turns 2 and an infant spot opens up. Even at a higher rate I quoted her for their 12hr days (6:30-6:30) it's still $90 less a week than the FT family I just enrolled. Also, it going to be musical daycare with grandma 1 day, me 2-3 days and dad 1-2 days. I had hesitations to begin with but at the time she first wrote me I was so slow I would have taken anything. Since then I've completely filled up with a waiting list AND now we have to move and worst case scenario, move to a very small place temporarily, close my daycare and go license exempt with only one family. I won't know about the status of my childcare until we either find a house and move easily or we can't find one by early Nov. it's really a hard place to be and I feel bad flaking on this mom but she hasn't gotten back to me at all since having her baby like we talked about twice. I don't know whether I should write her and let her know 100% that I won't be able to take her baby in case she "thinks" that's all lined up or something just based on past conversation. I have had numerous new moms change their mind so I wouldn't be shocked if she did and don't want to have an awkward conversation either way. Ugh. And who knows, maybe something changes between now and then and I can accept her PT and don't want to burn a bridge or something.

[Thriftylady]

I wouldn't contact her about anything. IF she contacts you again, I would go from there and see where you are at that point. You don't OWE her anything. If you can do it, awesome. If you can't, well she should have finalized arrangements sooner.

[DaveA]

I wouldn't contact her about anything. IF she contacts you again, I would go from there and see where you are at that point. You don't OWE her anything. If you can do it, awesome. If you can't, well she should have finalized arrangements sooner.

+1 on this.

[spinnymarie]

I wouldn't contact her about anything. IF she contacts you again, I would go from there and see where you are at that point. You don't OWE her anything. If you can do it, awesome. If you can't, well she should have finalized arrangements sooner.

Same. Her job to contact you, I wouldn't worry about her at all.

[TwinKristi]

Ok... What's a good line to use IF she does write me in the next couple weks?

[Thriftylady]

Well it depends. I guess I would just say "sorry, but I didn't hear from you and thought you had changed your mind, would you like me to put you on my waiting list?". If you have no intention of working it out with her, you may word it a little differently.

[TwinKristi]

And I just double checked and she first wrote me Feb 11, then again in May 22 and again June 23rd. Baby was born July 26th. So we're going on 7wks since birth and no contact for 3 mos!! I know I shouldn't feel bad but I do. She's a first time mom and may not understand how infant spots work with daycare. I'm pretty sure I told her we're limited to 2 or 3 depending on our group and I did tell her I didn't know what my group would be like in Oct. :confused: Ugh I hate these situations.

[jenboo]

And I just double checked and she first wrote me Feb 11, then again in May 22 and again June 23rd. Baby was born July 26th. So we're going on 7wks since birth and no contact for 3 mos!! I know I shouldn't feel bad but I do. She's a first time mom and may not understand how infant spots work with daycare. I'm pretty sure I told her we're limited to 2 or 3 depending on our group and I did tell her I didn't know what my group would be like in Oct. :confused: Ugh I hate these situations.

I would simply say that you do not have any openings right now and you can put her on your wait list.

[Naptime yet?]

If she doesn't know how infant spots work with daycare then phooey on her! How could she not? She's on Facebook, she can't be that clueless, can she? Doesn't she have friends who could have told her how hard it is to find infant spots and she should have been lining up care when the stick revealed double lines ?

I wouldn't sweat it, especially since you may be moving. Caca happens, she should have been in touch with you. You don't have to feel bad, it was her responsibility, not yours. And who knows, maybe if/when she does contact you, you'll have space. Although you did have hesitations to begin with, trust that gut........

[TwinKristi]

Yeah I know. I was NOT looking forward to a 12+hr day and a PT infant who gets spoiled the other 4-5 days a week! LOL dcd is a cop, dcm is a dispatcher so they work long shifts and it's a good 30-45 mins away without major traffic. I quoted a higher price knowing that but wasn't happy about it. LOL It all happens for a reason I just hate the conflict or bad feelings to arise. But ultimately it is her responsibility. I have had 3 moms start and then quit their job after a couple weeks or not even start, plus one baby I was supposed to watch died during birth. I've learned not to count on anything with newborns or firsts time moms who are very anxious about working!

[Thriftylady]

Yeah I know. I was NOT looking forward to a 12+hr day and a PT infant who gets spoiled the other 4-5 days a week! LOL dcd is a cop, dcm is a dispatcher so they work long shifts and it's a good 30-45 mins away without major traffic. I quoted a higher price knowing that but wasn't happy about it. LOL It all happens for a reason I just hate the conflict or bad feelings to arise. But ultimately it is her responsibility. I have had 3 moms start and then quit their job after a couple weeks or not even start, plus one baby I was supposed to watch died during birth. I've learned not to count on anything with newborns or firsts time moms who are very anxious about working!

I am with you on the conflict thing, I HATE it. But you have done your part, so to quote a move with a song I am tired of, let it go. LOL.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would simply say that you do not have any openings right now and you can put her on your wait list.

Yes. First time mom or not she isn't an idiot. You gave her your contract which spelled things out.

I just had a mom BAFFLED that I no longer had a spot for her child when she ignored my security deposit notice at the interview and again in an e-mail. Buellar.

[TheGoodLife]

She hasn't contacted you? She might have found another place OR arranged for family FT to watch her baby. I wouldn't contact her, and if she contacts you just tell her you don't have an infant spot available. She doesn't need to know you recently filled your spot!

[Shell]

I had this same thing happen to me- dcm didn't contact me at all after the birth, but felt she had the spot (no deposit). I went back and forth with her trying. To make something work, but the truth was that she screwed up. Infant spots are very hard to come by, and it's not your job to chase her. If she contacts you, I would do what pp said and put on wait list- let her know you haven't heard from her since whatever date. It doesn't sound like a good fit anyway.

[Blackcat31]

Ok... What's a good line to use IF she does write me in the next couple weks?

I'd reply back with something like:

"Thank you for your interest in my program mom but unfortunately, I no longer have space available for an infant. I assumed you went another direction for care since I didn't hear anything back from you after the baby was born."