Fleas, Gross!

[midaycare]

I got a text from a dcm today stating that she found a flea on dcg. She said it could of come from her cousin, who has dogs, but she wasn't sure.

I have 2 cats and a dog who are on flea and tick meds - the best money can buy because we live in the woods. We constantly check them and keep our dog and 1 of the cats away from them. Only one of our cats is even allowed on the dc floor - it's in the basement. The other cat and dog have NEVER been down there. They do not have fleas, I am 100% positive.

Anyways, I don't want dcg to bring fleas into our home. How should I respond to dcm?

[Silly Songs]

If mom didn't tell you, you wouldn't have known . It's ok that mom found 1 flea on her child. Even animals that are treated can bring a flea into the house , the flea will die . If you overeact the mom will stop telling you things .

[Wednesday!]

My vet said the dog can go out to potty, collect a flea, come back inside, and then the flea abandons ship. So there's really no way to be 100% flea proof.

I came across somthing called diatomaceous earth. You can buy it on amazon. It's a powder made up of finely ground crustaceans, I think. Gross, I know. I spread in all over my yard in the spring and we had ZERO fleas all summer without flea meds! Apparently, it creates a hostile living environment for tiny insects like fleas because the powder is actually very sharp, jagged pieces of crustacean bodies. We also had almost no fire ants, which are normally a big problem for us throughout summer. The first one I saw this season was just a couple of weeks ago when my ds had an allergic reaction.

And because its organic based ingredients there are no pesticides. It's all natural and very green.

[midaycare]

I'm not concerned about how to treat fleas by us - we haven't had an issue. I just don't want dcg bringing them in, or them really being lice and dcm not knowing the difference.

We haven't had any fleas or ticks in the year we have lived here. That I have ever seen, anyway!

[midaycare]

I'm also not sure how to respond. It seemed like an informational text, but why tell me if it was just 1 flea? Is she implying it may come from my animals? A day after dcg was here?

Should I just say, "Hey thanks for letting me know"?

[Wednesday!]

I would think she is implying it came from your house. Maybe say, Wow! Wonder where that came from! That's so odd.

[Cradle2crayons]

My vet said the dog can go out to potty, collect a flea, come back inside, and then the flea abandons ship. So there's really no way to be 100% flea proof.

I came across somthing called diatomaceous earth. You can buy it on amazon. It's a powder made up of finely ground crustaceans, I think. Gross, I know. I spread in all over my yard in the spring and we had ZERO fleas all summer without flea meds! Apparently, it creates a hostile living environment for tiny insects like fleas because the powder is actually very sharp, jagged pieces of crustacean bodies. We also had almost no fire ants, which are normally a big problem for us throughout summer. The first one I saw this season was just a couple of weeks ago when my ds had an allergic reaction.

And because its organic based ingredients there are no pesticides. It's all natural and very green.

totally agree. That stuff works. We sprinkle it under the house. We have wayyyyy too many afrs to use it everywhere but I like using it under the house because it's not poisonous.

Also, our two dogs and five cats are on flea meds but yes, it's very possible they can track a flea inside.

One of the best ways to prevent fleas from inside is to remove all carpet.

[racemom]

I would respond by telling her exactly what you have told us.. animals treated with meds, not in daycare area, etc. I think she is looking for reassurance that you don't have fleas in your house. At least that is my take on the text. I can understand her concerns, who wants their kid to bring fleas home!

[midaycare]

I would respond by telling her exactly what you have told us.. animals treated with meds, not in daycare area, etc. I think she is looking for reassurance that you don't have fleas in your house. At least that is my take on the text. I can understand her concerns, who wants their kid to bring fleas home!

I did just that, thanks for the advice everyone I'm a little annoyed because of the implication it's from here 24 hours after she left my home, after she's been with other pets, but you know ... Oh well! I shouldn't complain, my dcf's are pretty good.

[Blackcat31]

I did just that, thanks for the advice everyone I'm a little annoyed because of the implication it's from here 24 hours after she left my home, after she's been with other pets, but you know ... Oh well! I shouldn't complain, my dcf's are pretty good.

You said she told you she wasn't sure where it came from and even implied it may have come from cousin's dog so I am not seeing where she implied it came from you/your house? Did she text/reply again?

If not, I would have replied as you did and left it.

I know as providers, it's easy to assume that parents are pointing fingers when they inform us of something but I've found a good rule of thumb that has helped lessen the stress and reduced the possibility of being resentful is to not assume anything....if the parent outright said she was concerned about your house having fleas, that's a completely different story but if she was simply informing you.....just leave it at that and don't read any more into it.

When the mom drops off, I would casually ask her if she found anymore fleas and thank her again for letting you know as you definitely don't want your pets to get them.

That way she'll know your pets don't have them and that you aren't taking responsibility as a source for the fleas either.

[midaycare]

You said she told you she wasn't sure where it came from and even implied it may have come from cousin's dog so I am not seeing where she implied it came from you/your house? Did she text/reply again?

If not, I would have replied as you did and left it.

I know as providers, it's easy to assume that parents are pointing fingers when they inform us of something but I've found a good rule of thumb that has helped lessen the stress and reduced the possibility of being resentful is to not assume anything....if the parent outright said she was concerned about your house having fleas, that's a completely different story but if she was simply informing you.....just leave it at that and don't read any more into it.

When the mom drops off, I would casually ask her if she found anymore fleas and thank her again for letting you know as you definitely don't want your pets to get them.

That way she'll know your pets don't have them and that you aren't taking responsibility as a source for the fleas either.

I'm super sensitive to this dcm right now. On Friday she was supposed to drop off at 9:30, texts to say it will be 10:30. Then she ends up dropping off at 12:15. I called and texted, no response. I was not happy. I was thisclose to refusing drop off. When dcm texted about the flea, I was wondering if it was to get back at me for letting her "have it" (professionally, and kindly, of course) on Friday.

[Wednesday!]

So I take it you aren't friends? :: I'm asking because, if your were, it could've been that she was complaining to you as a friendly vent, kwim? If she feels like you guys are friends, she may have been griping, not implying.

[midaycare]

So I take it you aren't friends? :: I'm asking because, if your were, it could've been that she was complaining to you as a friendly vent, kwim? If she feels like you guys are friends, she may have been griping, not implying.

Ha ha, no. This is the only dcm I am cautious about. She is on her third job since starting with me 3 months ago, schedule is always changing, she wants dcg to have all healthy/organic while feeding her gummy bears/chocolate/cookies/pies at home...

I really like dcg and so do all of the other kids. This is also my only state paid child. The next person that calls looking for full time, I will probably interview to replace. The constant schedule changes and late drop offs - by hours - drive me nuts.

[Wednesday!]

You should consider a cut off time, whether or not you keep her. I would be so angry if one of my parents tried to drop off that late. I do not have a revolving door! That's after lunch and during naptime for us. My cut off time is 11am and they know that's pushing it. If a child comes that late, they need to bring their own lunch because I'm probably already in the middle of cooking and they have to be ready to nap within the hour, AKA they didn't sleep in.

I'm not going to let a parent's messed up morning cause us to have a messed up naptime and afternoon. We keep a schedule regardless of whether or not they do.