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STAY STRONG! If you back down you will forever be at her mercy.
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STAY STRONG! If you back down you will forever be at her mercy.Comment
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I know I'm kind of the odd ball here in that I view this strictly as business. I like all the kids in my care...while they're here.
But at the end of the day, this is how I earn my living. If a child or family isn't working out, they have to go.
The reality is that they are not *my* kids and can/will leave at any time. I hope it's due to natural aging out, but moves, cheaper care, SAHP's, etc are always a possibility that I need to be aware of.
I've been doing this for over 10 years and I can honestly say that once a family has moved on (even under the best circumstances) it's out of sight, out of mind.
Stay strong! Once they are gone and you have your sanity back you'll wonder why you put up with it for so long.Comment
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Don't fall for it. Do what is best for your family. 
Attached Files- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.
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I'm with you. I love my kids while they're with me, and even after, but I always remember that I provide a service for their parents and when push comes to shove parents do what's best for them. That means they may give notice right before my paid vacation, term at the beginning of summer to get high priority for 4K, quit work or go to PT to save on child care fees, etc, etc, etc.
I know I'm kind of the odd ball here in that I view this strictly as business. I like all the kids in my care...while they're here.
But at the end of the day, this is how I earn my living. If a child or family isn't working out, they have to go.
The reality is that they are not *my* kids and can/will leave at any time. I hope it's due to natural aging out, but moves, cheaper care, SAHP's, etc are always a possibility that I need to be aware of.
I've been doing this for over 10 years and I can honestly say that once a family has moved on (even under the best circumstances) it's out of sight, out of mind.
Stay strong! Once they are gone and you have your sanity back you'll wonder why you put up with it for so long.
ITA that it's my living, but more than that, it's my life. I spend 50 hours with the children and more than that on related work, so a child/family that causes too much stress isn't worth it. It may take a while, but there are always other children out there.Comment
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I had this happen to me the week my Mom died while I was closed!!!! And a very long term client to boot. To say I was shocked was an understatement. Hurt, ticked off, and confused about cover it.Comment
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Ms. Provider Manda
Sorry to hear about your issue. Many good replies here. One thing you and everyone else needs to remember: You are running a business-just because it is in your home does not make it any less of a business! That being said, here are a few thoughts I have based on the experience my wife and I have running our home-based pre-school:
* If you take on customers, that use third-party payment (like the welfare, union reimbursement payment, etc...) make sure you use contracts that explicitly state the customer is responsible for payment of all fees, and that payments received from any 3rd party will be applied to the customer's bill! If the 3rd party chooses to not pay, does not mean you are not entitled to it! The parent agreed to the terms and is obligated, but this obligation does not necessarily pass on to the 3rd party, which is what the case worker was responding to the mother with.
Why do it this way... well many people that do not pay their own way for a service can develop a sense of disconnect from what is their responsibility!
As mentioned by others, you had an agreement with the mom and not the state! If you have a signed contract detailing a 2-week notice, and she signed it, then enforce it. If your contract is not clear or vague, then use this as a learning opportunity to clean up your contract.
How to move forward?
Learn from this experience. Never to old to learn new things. If you need to continue working with families paying with money from the state or other subsidy, then write up the agreement like I said above and get a deposit equal to 2 weeks to cover yourself. How?...Just ask for it. If they gripe...work with them. Tack on $50 up front when they sign on. Let them pay you $20 per week or what ever you can get on an installment plan. Always inform them this money is refundable to them as long as they comply with your contract! If you really believe it is too hard to get it, then call it something else! An Art & Supply fee, early drop off fee, more coffee fee, what ever it takes to get the deposit to protect your income.
You are the boss. you make the rules. Dont take it personal. It's just business. Also, no one mentioned it from what I saw, but I remember you said it was 2 kids you lost? Well, this just proves even more why you need the protection of the deposit! I would go so far to protect myself even more and say any family that wants you to care for multiple kids and get their multiple kid discount also provide 4 weeks of deposit, one deposit for each kid! Again-it is refundable as long as they do the right thing! Heck, if the kids go to separate daycares, they would have the pay the deposit anyway.
Hey-wish you the best in finding new families!
Best Wishes,
Big LouComment
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Thanks everyone. I'm down to two days left!! Dcm has texted about the oldest who's 5 1/2 cried when she found out. At drop off has really tried to make me feel bad. But I just continue to remind her it was her choice, not mine.Comment
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It's all over!
Well everyone I did it! I finished out the 2 weeks. Today I did cry, those kids were like my own. But we have goodbye hugs and kisses. Mom gave me some sweet and thoughtful goodbye gifts, which meant a lot. I think she finally realized that she done the wrong thing. But she is an adult, and has to follow through what she wanted to do in the first place.Attached FilesComment
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I *think* you'll find that this is a bigger blessing than you realize. That happened with me this Summer and I'm much happier with the replacement. Nothing major happened, the Mom had a baby and decided to stay home. It wasn't until after it ended that I realized that they just weren't a good "fit" for me.Comment
: It's like she doesn't even acknowledge the fact that she made the decision and you're just following through with her request. I hope your next family is awesome! Hang in there!
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