EXTREMELY ANNOYED. Time to Term?

[Mdc613]

This family is pushing my buttons every week. They are always 15-30 minutes early. They are late picking up at least once a week. They knowingly sent their sick kid here. They "forget" payment every week. They text me all evening about things that can be discussed at drop off or pick up. They switch their schedule on me constantly. They forget the diaper bag. And I only charge them part time but they are taking up 3 full time spots bc her schedule is different every week. It's just endless.

Today she texted me at her scheduled pick up time telling me that she's going to be late. She showed up an hour later.

So I texted her back and said "Please stick to the scheduled times you give me. I plan my appointments around the times given and have already had to make changes prior to today bc of not following schedule."

I also gave her an updated paper with new policies about late fees. (I've never charged late fees before)

Then I just received a text from her basically saying she "can't leave a kid in crisis just bc she wrote down a time on a piece of paper for me."

I just feel really down and disrespected. It is not a good feeling.

[Heidi]

"Since I am unable to accommodate your variable schedule, I will take this as your two weeks notice" or "since I am unable to accomodate your variable schedule, this serves as two weeks notice"

[Thriftylady]

This family is pushing my buttons every week. They are always 15-30 minutes early. They are late picking up at least once a week. They knowingly sent their sick kid here. They "forget" payment every week. They text me all evening about things that can be discussed at drop off or pick up. They switch their schedule on me constantly. They forget the diaper bag. And I only charge them part time but they are taking up 3 full time spots bc her schedule is different every week. It's just endless.

Today she texted me at her scheduled pick up time telling me that she's going to be late. She showed up an hour later.

So I texted her back and said "Please stick to the scheduled times you give me. I plan my appointments around the times given and have already had to make changes prior to today bc of not following schedule."

I also gave her an updated paper with new policies about late fees. (I've never charged late fees before)

Then I just received a text from her basically saying she "can't leave a kid in crisis just bc she wrote down a time on a piece of paper for me."

I just feel really down and disrespected. It is not a good feeling.

While I understand about the kids in crisis, you are leaving my family in crisis.

[Laurel]

This family is pushing my buttons every week. They are always 15-30 minutes early. They are late picking up at least once a week. They knowingly sent their sick kid here. They "forget" payment every week. They text me all evening about things that can be discussed at drop off or pick up. They switch their schedule on me constantly. They forget the diaper bag. And I only charge them part time but they are taking up 3 full time spots bc her schedule is different every week. It's just endless.

Today she texted me at her scheduled pick up time telling me that she's going to be late. She showed up an hour later.

So I texted her back and said "Please stick to the scheduled times you give me. I plan my appointments around the times given and have already had to make changes prior to today bc of not following schedule."

I also gave her an updated paper with new policies about late fees. (I've never charged late fees before)

Then I just received a text from her basically saying she "can't leave a kid in crisis just bc she wrote down a time on a piece of paper for me."

I just feel really down and disrespected. It is not a good feeling.

If she can't leave a child in crisis, then she needs to have another pick up person who can be on time when she can't. It is HER responsibility to handle these kinds of things or have a back up who can.

[Blackcat31]

we teach people how to treat us :hug:

[lovemykidstoo]

Do not let this person do this to you. You are worth so much more than that. I had a dad come 10 minutes late one time and I flat out told him that it was not to happen again. There is no way I would allow an hour late. Get rid of them.

[Crazy8]

oh I would definitely term!! I rarely ever terminate care, I am always afraid of losing the income, but this parent just told you her job is more important and it is time to send them on their way. I would be fuming!!! Let them go pay a center for that full time spot that you were not charging them for or let them walk all over someone else.

This would be grounds for immediate termination in my contract as well, no coming back and no refunds.

Good luck!!

[midaycare]

I would tell dcm she needs to find an alternate pickup. If she can't, the next late pickup is immediate termination.

[Play Care]

When they come early, why are you letting them in? I wouldn't even unlock my door before time.

But yes, it's time to term. Based on their response alone. The only acceptable response is "I'm so sorry, it won't happen again."

[DaveA]

Agree with previous posters- time to term. They aren't going to change what to them is a perfectly acceptable situation, so you need to do what is right for your program and family.

[Mdc613]

Thanks everyone. I'm still pretty new to all of this and haven't fully built up my back bone. Lol.

I'm terming them today at pick up. After they pay me.

[laundrymom]

Can't leave a kid in crisis? So she chooses to
Leave her own child in limbo?
Good for you for terming. I hope
It's effective immediately.

[lovemykidstoo]

Thanks everyone. I'm still pretty new to all of this and haven't fully built up my back bone. Lol.

I'm terming them today at pick up. After they pay me.

You can do it!!! You have to ask yourself what you're getting out of it. Especially the fact that they're taking 3 full time spots from you. So when she was an hour late, were they your last people of the day? You will feel so much relief when you term them, close the door and go have a glass of wine!!

[KiddieCahoots]

You can do it!!! You have to ask yourself what you're getting out of it. Especially the fact that they're taking 3 full time spots from you. So when she was an hour late, were they your last people of the day? You will feel so much relief when you term them, close the door and go have a glass of wine!!

......
And then come back here to let us know how it went

[Mdc613]

I did it!! I feel so much better now!

She called me on the way to pick up asking why she has to pay for Monday. (She was a no call no show). I told her bc she is taking up 3 spots while I'm sitting here wondering where she is. Then gave me the sob story that it's been a rough week and I need to be more understanding. Then got an attitude with me bc I made policy changes and put it in the diaper bag instead of talking to her face to face. She didn't appreciate finding it later that night. (I would have told her face to face but she was an hr late that day. Didn't have time).

There was way more to this convo. Just a lot of back and forth.

She finally showed up on time with the full amount for the week. She said she wants to call me over the weekend so we can get on the same page. I told her that it wouldn't be necessary bc I'm terminating care and today was their last day. She said "Well that's just great. The kids love it here." And she walked out the door.

And then I did a happy dance!! Lol