First Ever In Person Confrontation at Pickup

[deliberateliterate]

It's their first day and he was arguing with me over my vacation policy (no charge when I'm off, 50% for anything additional). He wouldn't let it go, and I stood my ground. The mom and son are absolutely adorable, but I'm not changing policy for them. I just started another new f/t family last week and wasn't looking for anyone else, but she called, we met and I loved her son and her days and hours were perfect. Now I know why she didn't bring back my contract herself when she came Mon/Tues/Today to ease him in. She wanted him to do the dirty work . He brought the contract, but with a big X through the policy. Um no.

I said everything that I knew you guys would say. How this is my only source of income, and that he was paying for the spot. I even said that if he didn't like it, to find other arrangements (very diplomatically of course). He didn't care, he said he didn't want to pay for something that he wasn't going to use. When he could see that I wasn't backing down, he suggested a compromise of only paying for 1 week (he wanted 2 weeks no charge), and I said no to that as well.

I ended up venting to the parent who came in immediately after he left. She could tell I was shaken. happyfacehappyfacehappyface:dislike:

[Shell]

Good for you! Um, dcd this isn't a negotiation- take it or leave it!

[Michael]

Haven't used this in a while but you earned it.

[holly333]

Oh my, how obnoxious! I'm sorry, but great job standing up for yourself and your business!

[Luna]

Good for you! It is not easy to stand your ground at a time like that, but you did it. Well done! happyface

[Crazy8]

I think I would have been tempted to say "well I'm sorry you don't agree with my policies, your son was such a delight and I thought he would have fit in here nicely but here are his things, I hope you are able to find a daycare with a policy that fits your needs". Good Bye.

[daycarediva]

YAY!!!!!!!!!! happyface

Did you go over this on the interview? Did he really think that he could just dictate which policies he would follow? Are you letting them go? I would!!

In the future, I would not accept anyone into care until they signed the paperwork prior to the start date.

[momtomany74]

Way to stand your ground! I might have blown a gasket on that guy! I bet they won't ask for leeway on any other policies you may have happyface

[CraftyMom]

He crossed out your policy? That's nervy! "I agree to everything except this. I will do as I please when it comes to this"

This reminds me another thread a while ago where a parent crossed things out and actually wrote in their own policies!

[sharlan]

I think I would have been tempted to say "well I'm sorry you don't agree with my policies, your son was such a delight and I thought he would have fit in here nicely but here are his things, I hope you are able to find a daycare with a policy that fits your needs". Good Bye.

This family would be finding new care ASAP. I would not tolerate that and I tolerate a lot.

[deliberateliterate]

YAY!!!!!!!!!! happyface

Did you go over this on the interview? Did he really think that he could just dictate which policies he would follow? Are you letting them go? I would!!

In the future, I would not accept anyone into care until they signed the paperwork prior to the start date.

We absolutely discussed this at the interview, and she didn't say anything. We also discussed everything at length while she was here visiting for an hour on both Monday and Tuesday.

I have no idea why I didn't ask about the contract, I just assumed that she would bring it at drop off this morning, and then forgot to ask about it. I sent her an email basically telling her that my policy stands, and it's up to her if she comes back or not (again, diplomatically).

[Kabob]

This family would be finding new care ASAP. I would not tolerate that and I tolerate a lot.

Yep. Totally not cool. Especially since it took away from supervision of the kids and exposed them to that confrontation.

Good for you for sticking up for yourself. I'd take it further and give them notice...their communication skills (or lack thereof) are severely lacking for my taste...

[Unregistered]

an X ??? !!!!!!
bye bye

and WOW a Back Bone Award
how cool is that ....!!

[TheGoodLife]

I think I would have been tempted to say "well I'm sorry you don't agree with my policies, your son was such a delight and I thought he would have fit in here nicely but here are his things, I hope you are able to find a daycare with a policy that fits your needs". Good Bye.

You said you didn't need them anyway, if they are going to pull this their first days I would definitely give an immediate term (I have a 2 week adjustment period so no notice required) and not look back... they will not be good parents if they start out like that!

[lblanke]

Tell him if they pay the 1st week at full price, he can have the 2nd week off for free. Maybe he his math skills will be as poor as his interpersonal skills and not realize that1 week full price and 1 week free is the same as 2 weeks at 50 per cent. Or, just tell him, bye bye.