New Family-Starting? WWYD?

[WBee]

I have a new family who is supposed to start Mon. They said they would drop off signed contracts/deposit this past Wed. No show/no call/no paperwork,etc. I call them yesterday (Fri.) to let them know that I need the paperwork, if they have not changed their mind and cannot hold their spot without it. They say they were unable to get a form notarized (required per my state) and "will drop it off tomorrow" (today-Saturday)w/a cash deposit. I inform them that I am in & out all day on Saturdays and tell them where they can leave it safely. I come home from errands to hear a voicemail stating they want to leave a check but are unsure who to make it out to. (My business name is on my sign outside.) I have running around to do and decided that I do not work/make business calls on weekends-my family time. (Esp to those who do not follow rules regarding ppwk/closing deadlines.) I informed dcm yest. that all immunizations must be up to date or dcb cannot attend Monday. She dropped off ppwk, no deposit and per ppwk dcb has not had his flu shot and is missing one other vaccine(req. by my state). Not off to a good start. What would you do? She begged me for this spot..."nothing else available" and needs it this week or she will miss work. Surprise, surprise! Now I have to call her on a Sunday? Should I stop this before it starts or cut her a break.? Oh and DCD didn't sign anything...??

[WBee]

Sorry this posted twice!

[LysesKids]

I have a new family who is supposed to start Mon. They said they would drop off signed contracts/deposit this past Wed. No show/no call/no paperwork,etc. I call them yesterday (Fri.) to let them know that I need the paperwork, if they have not changed their mind and cannot hold their spot without it. They say they were unable to get a form notarized (required per my state) and "will drop it off tomorrow" (today-Saturday)w/a cash deposit. I inform them that I am in & out all day on Saturdays and tell them where they can leave it safely. I come home from errands to hear a voicemail stating they want to leave a check but are unsure who to make it out to. (My business name is on my sign outside.) I have running around to do and decided that I do not work/make business calls on weekends-my family time. (Esp to those who do not follow rules regarding ppwk/closing deadlines.) I informed dcm yest. that all immunizations must be up to date or dcb cannot attend Monday. She dropped off ppwk, no deposit and per ppwk dcb has not had his flu shot and is missing one other vaccine(req. by my state). Not off to a good start. What would you do? She begged me for this spot..."nothing else available" and needs it this week or she will miss work. Surprise, surprise! Now I have to call her on a Sunday? Should I stop this before it starts or cut her a break.? Oh and DCD didn't sign anything...??

I would say, Sorry, no care Monday... I don't do business on weekends & I need everything state requires in hand before I take the little; no proof of Vax, no care, No payment, spot is not yours yet... I may be legally license exempt but I run like a licensed home here in this state

I have it written in my policies (and on website), that I do not do any business (i.e. take calls, accept payments etc after 6pm Friday until first start Monday). I always sign contracts in person on Tues, Wed or Thur evenings & only if they have first weeks fee in hand (cash or credit, no checks). She obviously is hoping you will cave and let the vaccination thing slide.

I mean seriously, you can walk into any Walgreens/CVS/Kroger & get a Flu shot even on weekends. The other Vax... too bad, not sad in my eyes. She knew upfront what was needed to attend

[Boymom]

They already seem so flaky so that would be a big red flag for me! Sounds like they are going to be the type of family that doesn't want to pay on time and not respect your contract, etc. I could be wrong though! Go with your gut feeling :-)

[Ariana]

I agree that there are lots of red flags and you have a perfect out at this point. totally up to you and whether or not you can fill the spot easily with someone else. I had a family recently start like this but now things are all good. I couldn't fill the spot easily so I stuck it out. It was frustrating as all heck the first 2 months but they seem to be getting it now with me being firm. Some parents really don't take us seriously so you need to be firm and conduct your business the way you see fit. It is pretty simple, they don't have the stuff you need to start them so they don't get to start.

[Unregistered]

Term get out while U can, can u imagine the DRAMA this family will bring once they manage to actually start care???

[Blackcat31]

If you have a two week trial period, I'd atleast give it a try.

Some of my best families started out on the wrong foot.

Kind of like rollerskating or ice skating.
It's tough at first but once you find your footing, it's easy. If I'd have given up the first minute my feet were on the floor, I'd never have learned to do it.

I would not however, make any exceptions to the required paperwork etc. No services until they've completed their end of the deal.

[Play Care]

If you have a two week trial period, I'd atleast give it a try.

Some of my best families started out on the wrong foot.

Kind of like rollerskating or ice skating.
It's tough at first but once you find your footing, it's easy. If I'd have given up the first minute my feet were on the floor, I'd never have learned to do it.

I would not however, make any exceptions to the required paperwork etc. No services until they've completed their end of the deal.

I do think the required paperwork can be overwhelming Initally. I would take them sticking closely to the trial period.

[MunchkinWrangler]

Yeah, I would give them a shot but if you don't have the paperwork completed or you don't feel they are making a solid effort to get the required paperwork to you, then I would reconsider. I would make sure to write a note AND verbally direct them in what you need, if after that they can't seem to complete what you need then I would term or refuse service until you have paperwork in hand.

Vax papers are easy to get if you have a fax, the doctor's office should just be able to fax it to you, no problems.