How close do you get with your dc families?

[Meeko]

It was a little harder when I was younger and I actually have a few very good friends that were once daycare families.

But on the whole I keep things as far apart as I can. I have 12 families (16 kids) Every single parent is easily young enough to be my own child. In fact my oldest sons are older than all my dc parents...up to 10 years older. So I have no interest in being friends with them. And I'm sure they don't want some old lady being their friend either ::

[originalkat]

I keep things completely separate. I am friendly and often they tell me what goes on in their own lives, but that is where it ends.

[Unregistered]

I've become very close to many and some have become lifelong friends! I'm older now and all the parents are the younger generation-the age of my grown daughters, so I don't end up doing things with them outside of cc.

Over the years some I didn't have a big connection either, some I live chatting with at the end if the day! I need social time and FCC is very isolating for me!

I had a child over a year ago that was is the daughter of one of my daughter's high school friends. I just got a FB message from her telling me E still talks about you and says she wants to come back to cc. She wanted to invite me to her wedding, and you bet I'm going!

[Unregistered]

I don't any more. It's just hello and good bye. I even tell the parents during interviews due to my obligation to the other children, I can't have long conversations at drop off or pick up. I've gotten burned too many times in the past. I noticed they all want money or some sort of discount. Like one mom got super close to me. I'll admit, I was flattered because she was the stylish "cool" mom. Here I was in my ponytail and jeans. It was an ego boost. I really felt like dog crap when she stopped texting me and talking to me when I wouldn't give her a discount. Mind you, she was the first to drop off (never late for that), but always had an excuse for picking up after closing. I also once gave a discount to a public school teacher who had twins. She kept leading me into thinking she could land me a job at her school. I can't believe all the freebies I gave her. She just left without notice. I really stopped chatting with parents when one parent refused to leave and started "tattling" on me. I say tattling because it the most mundane stuff. I have a backyard. Say a student got dirt in their shoes, she'd make a point of saying "I know Miss. Jane cleaned Jill's socks and shoes, but did she tell you Jill got dirt in them?!". I don't know if she just didn't like me or felt guilty for leaving her son here, but I told her after a while "You can't stay here with your child. You must take them with you or leave them here". Now, it's just hello, good bye, and any important issues.

[mom2many]

I was only 25 when I began my daycare & one of my first clients is still today one of my best friends... (Almost 30 years later) I have scrapbooked with several of the dcm's over the years and played in several Bunco groups with them.
It's never been an issue for me and they have all respected my rules and policies.
I believe they appreciate getting to know me on a personal level, because I am playing a very vital role in their child's life.

[mom2many]

I've become very close to many and some have become lifelong friends! I'm older now and all the parents are the younger generation-the age of my grown daughters, so I don't end up doing things with them outside of cc.

Over the years some I didn't have a big connection either, some I live chatting with at the end if the day! I need social time and FCC is very isolating for me!

I had a child over a year ago that was is the daughter of one of my daughter's high school friends. I just got a FB message from her telling me E still talks about you and says she wants to come back to cc. She wanted to invite me to her wedding, and you bet I'm going!

Yes, this has been true for me as well! For some parents it was strictly business, but for others that I connected with, we did become friends!
I have been to several weddings, bridal and baby showers, birthday parties and even a funeral for former/current clients.

[bklsmum]

I would describe my relationship with most of my DCPs as business casual. We are friendly and chatty and I am more than happy to help them with parenting questions or issues but we don't really hang out. I do throw a few BBQ's a year that they get invited to as well as friends and family but it doesn't go beyond that. I get very close to some of my DCKs but it hasn't been an issue thus far.

[renodeb]

For the most part I have a business relationship with them no personal stuff. I do have two clients that I have had for a pretty long time and I have gone to a few birthday parties for there kids and it was a lot of fun. (the other family invited us but we were not able to go because of family obligations.) To be honest I don't get invited to a lot of things by the parents and I'm fine with that. Helps keep that line between provider and client.
I have one friend who went to every thing she was invited to and it was a lot. She always had a hard time keeping that professional line straight because of that.
Deb