WOW. Not One Card. Nothing

[Lucy]

"When you have a population of parents that do not consider you within the Christmas season maybe it's time to rethink doing a Christmas season with the kids. Parents are showing you that they don't consider Christmas as a time that has a single thing to do with their provider so why not believe them and honor that?"


Because it's about giving. It's not about "payback" for a gift you assume you WILL get. That being said, I do get my feelings hurt that they don't see it the same way I see it. However, I would not just think along the lines of "they're not going to give me a gift, so I'm not giving them one."

For me, only one family did not give me anything.

In my opinion.

[QualiTcare]

i sort of agree with nan. i sort of go by the "hope for the best, expect the worst" philosophy with most things though.

i don't agree with not putting effort in for the kids/parents bc they probably won't do it for you.

it's not a good reflection of the type of person you are, and it's not fair to the children/parents who DO care. i'm personally one of those parents that does/always has given daycare providers/teachers a heartfelt gift that obviously took effort/thought along with a monetary gift in the form of a gift card and i'd personally feel the way many of you do when they don't even get a card if i didn't "even get "just" a handmade ornament." my tree is filled with handmade ornaments, and i have to say - when i was hanging them - i thought about this forum and people asking "what to give parents for christmas?" most of them are very simple - made with foam or have a picture. they are priceless. some of them are 5 years old - i'll have them when they're 18 years old. it really IS the thought that counts. this year, my son's teacher gave him a couple of books and some doo-dads, but nothing hand-made, no ornament. those books will got lost in the shuffle. i appreciate her thought, but i'd rather have a silly paper handprint.

if i based what i did on what others did for me, i'd be in a sore spot. i know it ****s to feel unappreciated when you feel like you do so much, but karma does work in mysterious ways. please don't fall into the "i'm not making a big deal of christmas for them bc they don't care about me" mentality. it only puts you on the level that you hate.

[momma2girls]

I received an ornament from one parent, and the other parent some homeade goodies, and a gift card. The other 2 parents nothing! Not even a thank you for their gifts I gave the children!!
I decided I was going to thank all the parents in my monthly newsletter that went out for Jan. I said something like- I want to send out a huge thank you for the gift cards, homeade goodies, etc. that I received for gifts this Holiday season! I appreciate it so much!!
I gave this newsletter to all the parents- maybe at least one of the two will read this and think- WOW maybe we should have gotten her at least a card and said thanks!!
Oh well enough said- on to a New Year!!!
Happy New Year Everyone!!!!

[CKSher]

I was very surprised with all of the gifts my families gave me this year! I even received two very thoughtful notes. Of my 7 families only 2 did not give me anything at all. One had a family emergency so I completely understand and did not expect anything. Sadly, the other who did not even give me a card has not only been one of my best friends for years, but was also my Maid of Honor!!! That one kinda hurt, but I will get over it! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!!

[MamaBear]

Some of my parents do & some dont...

All of my daycare parents gave me a Christmas gift except one parent. She never does though. Its just how she rolls I guess. It does make me sad though because it would show that she appreciates me caring for her daughter 10 hours a day - 5 days a week. Oh well. Some parents are thoughtful and some just are not!

Something else thats weird... I gave all my daycare kiddos a gift for Christmas and not one of the daycare parents said thank you or even gave me a thank you card. I gave each of them a cute little Sock Monkey doll and a gift bag with candy canes, whistle straws & stickers in them. I wonder sometimes if these daycare parents were ever taught by their mom's to say "thank you" as kids or just have the common courtesy to write a quick thank you card. They didnt even tell their child to say thank you at pick up when leaving with their gifts. I teach the kids here to say please & thank you... just simple manners. :confused:

By the way --- this is my first time posting on here. I absolutely love reading all the posts on here. Its great to read other daycare provider's posts that I can relate too!

[Raymond]

Something else thats weird... I gave all my daycare kiddos a gift for Christmas and not one of the daycare parents said thank you or even gave me a thank you card. I gave each of them a cute little Sock Monkey doll and a gift bag with candy canes, whistle straws & stickers in them. I wonder sometimes if these daycare parents were ever taught by their mom's to say "thank you" as kids or just have the common courtesy to write a quick thank you card. They didnt even tell their child to say thank you at pick up when leaving with their gifts. I teach the kids here to say please & thank you... just simple manners. :confused:

By the way --- this is my first time posting on here. I absolutely love reading all the posts on here. Its great to read other daycare provider's posts that I can relate too!

Sounds like the type that receive and expect entitlements from the Gov.

[Cheryl Lea]

Don't feel too bad CKSher, My own son who's child I care for FULL TIME for FREE did not even give me a card or even a visit for Christmas. He was able however to visit mom in law and his own grandma. I guess I must live too far away for son and daughter in law to visit me! I am about a 1/2 hour away from his home but not too far from them to allow me to provide care for my grandson which I do not charge for! No card, no call, no visit!!!! How is that for a "Merry Christmas Mom"???????????????? Perhaps I should term my own grandson. LOL NOT! Maybe they think they are doing me a FAVOR by letting me care for my grandson?

[Cheryl Lea]

I did receive a gift from almost every one of my daycare parents though!

[Blackcat31]

A friend who is a provider had a parent say to her: "Ya know that gift we gave you last year? Well, it is going to be a two-year gift and count for this years gift too."

This was AFTER the provider and her entire family just helped this single mom move into her new house, provider's DH snowplowed her drive and the provider had made exceptions and kept dcg over night and after closing so mom could pack for move!!!

MAKES ME VERY GRATEFUL TO ALL MY FAMILIES BECAUSE NO ONE HAS EVER SAID ANYTHING SO RUDE BEFORE!!!

[daycaremom1]

I have to say I had a wonderful Christmas with the daycare families. Most of them. I received a couple of gift cards to Apple Bee's and Dunkin Donuts, coffee cups, candy, a massage gift cert, homemade fudge, picture frames and cards. I do have one single mom that I have her newborn from 5:45 AM until 2:30 PM each day, and she didn't even hardle say Merry Christmas. But everyone else was very generous. I have been fortunate over the years. ♥

[Unregistered]

Maybe they think they are doing me a FAVOR by letting me care for my grandson?

This is actually true...and why I stopped keeping kids from my family, for FREE most of the time, altogether. When I got tired of being the "dump" for my family's lifestyles I "termed" my cousins, nieces and nephews. I have not seen or heard from any of the since. My own Mother refused to see my kids for Christmas. It has been two years now and I have not been in the same room with any of their kids, like they were a gift I sent back?
It goes both ways... Sending love, Hun. I am sorry that happened to you.

To OP: I have had the same thing for many years, now. Parents are just a bit more self- gratifying these days. They truly think you are the lucky one who gets to "play with precious all day"...That should be gift enough, right? Ha!! Chin up, at least at the end of the day, when you look in the mirror, you will know you made Christmas special for those kids. Karma (or whatever you want to call it) will be kind on those who are kind when nobody is looking.

[Crystal]

I'll never understand the menatality that some have the notion that there is no need to show their gratitude and appreciation to the person that cares for their child. I am sorry to all of you who have such inconsiderate families.

I am very fortunate to always have had parents who go above and beyond, not only during the holidays, but throughout the year. I try to show my appreciation for them throughout the year as well. Although I get many gifts and bonuses, I will say the most treasured gifts I recieve are the cards, pictures and genuine expressions of appreciation in the what they say to me in those cards....I'd be happy with only those. I am sorry you didn't get that {{{{HUGS}}}}

[nannyde]

IAlthough I get many gifts and bonuses, I will say the most treasured gifts I recieve are the cards, pictures and genuine expressions of appreciation in the what they say to me in those cards....I'd be happy with only those. I am sorry you didn't get that {{{{HUGS}}}}

I like the money
but the money WITH candy is my fave.

My parents don't do too much in writing their appreciation.. but they DO know how to write the checks.

[Crystal]

yes, I like the money too :: but it's the cards and home made ornaments that last forever and remind me each year of all the families I have cared for over the years

[katie]

Nothing here either. One of my moms is my friend. But, not a very good one. I find that if they try to take advantage of you/or like was said earlier, they think you owe them, then why should I expect even a Merry Christmas? Selfish!