How long should I wait?

[NaptimesMyFav]

Dck is a drop in. Dcm is a friend from hs that asked me to start watching him once in a while while she sleeps (she is a nurse on night shift). He hasn't been here in over a month. A few times she has contacted me and I was full on the days she wanted. Last week she asked if dck could come Tuesday and Wednesday. I told her Tuesday was full but Wednesday he could come. No response and he never came. Tuesday evening this week she texted me about today. I waited until yesterday to tell her yes because I have no other kids scheduled today and was excited for a day off with just my kids. Thought we would do something fun! I decided to say yes since I haven't been able to for a while.

Well they still haven't showed up. I waited until 9 to text and ask if he is still coming. I know once she said she was going to go home and sleep until he woke up then bring him. But usually when he is going to come she cancels anyway. How long should I wait for her to respond before I take my kids and leave? I might go to the mall or even my mom's to sit for a while and hopefully she shows up while we're gone! I'm just ticked at the lack of respect and communication I've had and I will just tell her no from now on unless I have other kids. Definately not giving up a day off to sit around and wait on her if she's not going to show up.

[Blackcat31]

Dck is a drop in. Dcm is a friend from hs that asked me to start watching him once in a while while she sleeps (she is a nurse on night shift). He hasn't been here in over a month. A few times she has contacted me and I was full on the days she wanted. Last week she asked if dck could come Tuesday and Wednesday. I told her Tuesday was full but Wednesday he could come. No response and he never came. Tuesday evening this week she texted me about today. I waited until yesterday to tell her yes because I have no other kids scheduled today and was excited for a day off with just my kids. Thought we would do something fun! I decided to say yes since I haven't been able to for a while.

Well they still haven't showed up. I waited until 9 to text and ask if he is still coming. I know once she said she was going to go home and sleep until he woke up then bring him. But usually when he is going to come she cancels anyway. How long should I wait for her to respond before I take my kids and leave? I might go to the mall or even my mom's to sit for a while and hopefully she shows up while we're gone! I'm just ticked at the lack of respect and communication I've had and I will just tell her no from now on unless I have other kids. Definately not giving up a day off to sit around and wait on her if she's not going to show up.

I wouldn't wait at all. If she isn't there by the time she said she was coming and hasn't texted to let you know they are running late, I'd go about my day as normal.

You already said she was suppose to come Wednesday but didn't show up or contact you. Because of that, I would not have agreed to taking him today but I definitely wouldn't be waiting around to see if she "might" show up.

If she truly needs you, she'll be there on time or contact you to say otherwise. If not, her problem. Don't wait around for someone who doesn't have the decency to respond to you.

[NaptimesMyFav]

She responded 22 minutes later and said he just woke up and they're on their way. But from now o. I won't be taking him anymore! I'm new to this but have a lot of new policies I will be implementing in the near future. Drop offs after 9 are going to be a no no. The kids just don't have very good days. Thanks Blackcat for your help!

[Crazy8]

sorry your day off ended up cancelled but I agree with BC - I would have said no from the start. I would have just said sorry, have no other kids scheduled so not taking drop ins for that day.

I wouldn't take them in the future.

[LysesKids]

Dck is a drop in. Dcm is a friend from hs that asked me to start watching him once in a while while she sleeps (she is a nurse on night shift). He hasn't been here in over a month. A few times she has contacted me and I was full on the days she wanted. Last week she asked if dck could come Tuesday and Wednesday. I told her Tuesday was full but Wednesday he could come. No response and he never came. Tuesday evening this week she texted me about today. I waited until yesterday to tell her yes because I have no other kids scheduled today and was excited for a day off with just my kids. Thought we would do something fun! I decided to say yes since I haven't been able to for a while.

Well they still haven't showed up. I waited until 9 to text and ask if he is still coming. I know once she said she was going to go home and sleep until he woke up then bring him. But usually when he is going to come she cancels anyway. How long should I wait for her to respond before I take my kids and leave? I might go to the mall or even my mom's to sit for a while and hopefully she shows up while we're gone! I'm just ticked at the lack of respect and communication I've had and I will just tell her no from now on unless I have other kids. Definately not giving up a day off to sit around and wait on her if she's not going to show up.

First, I tell all parents that they have to contact me within 30 of time scheduled - no call/no text/no show, the drop-in is automatically cancelled; you show up later and I will turn you away... I may have turned away another drop-in client too thinking the spot was booked, so you just cost me income. My 2nd rule, You no show/no pay means you don't get to ask for drop-in again unless you pay me at the time of request.

Pisses people off, but I am a business, not a babysitter you can just blow off when you want to

[Unregistered]

My contracts and policies state that all fees are non-refundable.
This year, my regular families kept scheduling extra days, not paying in advance, and then not showing up, even on days that they knew I would only have their children.
I changed my policy. No request for extra days is considered unless accompanied by payment.
Maybe this would work for your drop-in families.

[daycare]

I require all drop ins to use paypal to prepay for their drop in spot...

no pay, no stay. no-show, no refund

all drop off must occur before 9 am

This way I get paid, if they show or not. I also don't wait around.

I would not wait. You also don't want her to think that you are always going to be at her beck and call.