Parents Not at Work - VENT

[Rockgirl]

I stopped worrying about this a long time ago. I am much happier for it! Follow my policies, pay me, and you are good.

[Lovisa]

If I am getting paid, and if rules re: drop off and pick up times, etc are being followed, I could not care less! Drop your kid off and sleep the whole day for all I care !

[MunchkinWrangler]

I used to care until I realized that I was WASTING my ENERGY.

This topic is getting old.

[Blackcat31]

I understand how you feel. It is frustrating when we see parents that don't want to spend time with their kids. Especially the high maintenance type kiddo, that would benefit with more family time. I think many of us got into this business because we wanted to spend time with our children and it just doesn't compute that others don't feel the same.

With that being said, you are only going to drive yourself crazy worrying about what dcp's are doing with their time. They paid for the time and are going to use it. Try, learn or pretend it doesn't bother you and keep on doing your best. The kid is likely better off with you, a person that wants to be with kiddos than an indifferent parent.

I do understand the way you are feeling but after 28 years in the business it is something you will just have to let go. Or if you can't, change your contract to care for kids only during parents working hours (Contracted hours).

Sorry that the last few post come off as making fun of your feelings. You are not alone in the way you feel. Vent away just don't expect to truly change the ones that don't want to spend time with or feel the need to get their moneys worth.

Since my post is one of the "last few" I just want to clarify, I am not making fun of the OP's feelings. :confused:

I making light of the fact that child care providers are in the service industry and complaining about providing services.
IMHO, that's like McDonald's complaining about having to make hamburgers.

As a business owner its YOUR responsibility to set up rules and guidelines that you are happy with. If you don't like getting paid when parents are at home and not parenting according to your code of parenting ethics then don't participate in it and take kids ONLY from parents working.

How you enforce that...I don't know but if it bothers a provider then she needs to figure out a way to address that. Trusting parents, contracted hours, limiting hours of attendance, etc etc....

I don't know the "right" answer for each individual but I do know that as a self-employed business owner I have the power to make myself happy.

[NightOwl]

but I study online, hence, I stay home all day. according to the "if you're home, keep your kid home" logic, I should not send her to daycare. cause I'm home. all. day. every. day. I mean, anyone can write a few 3-5 page papers in APA format with a 3-year-old tugging at them, right? easy peasy, no? don't even need to get out of your PJ's for that (which is what I'm wearing right now).

I'm a privileged kid: my Mom pays for college (tuition + books), and she bought me this computer I can use for it. if it wasn't for her, I would never go back to school. ever.
yes, hi, my name is M_P, I'm 35 years old, and my mommy still pays for my school. truth of life, what can I do...

I would consider this a full time obligation and wouldn't blink an eye for you to bring your child to me every day. I once had a therapist's child in care and the mom had a home office. Same difference.

[Thriftylady]

I would consider this a full time obligation and wouldn't blink an eye for you to bring your child to me every day. I once had a therapist's child in care and the mom had a home office. Same difference.

Exactly, working or going to school or whatever other obligation that a parent has committed to. Saying that doing it from home makes it less valuable or important just isn't so! I work from home, but trust me I am still working! Going to school from home is still going to school. You still need to devote attention to the work or school you are doing.

[thrivingchildcarecom]

I'm in So. Cal and I guess we are just used to it. Some of the moms don't even work, but send their kids to child care. As long as the tuition's paid, I'm good.

I would say something, however, about the late pick ups. I actually have a standard note that I send out to everyone if I see late pick-ups becoming a problem. I'll share it with you. Just send me a PM with your email.

[Play Care]

*facepalm*
looks like the topic is being raised anew every week or two...

I don't work at all, my child goes to daycare. sue me

I was going to say the same thing!
I feel like this was JUST raised last week. Can't remember if the poster was also unregistered or not though.
I suspect someone comes on to put that out there just to stir the pot.

[Mad_Pistachio]

I feel like this was JUST raised last week. Can't remember if the poster was also unregistered or not though.

yes, it was.
yes, OP was unregistered.

they really need to find new ways to troll...

[Annalee]

Does it drive anyone else crazy when parents drop their kids off even if they're not working due to illness, errands, etc? I don't know why, but it makes me want to scream. Especially when the parents still drop the child off at the same time, and pick up later than normal. Ughhh! I can't be the only one, so this is where I thought I could vent! LOL

To curb my agitation with this, I now close all Holidays with pay and have began contracted hours based on work hours with my last 4 enrolled clients. It is within a provider's ability to control these issues. I have been in business for over 20 years but it is still trial/error sometimes. Fix the issue with your own policy/contract. Parenting today with irresponsible parents makes me insane. I have tried lately to fix my own issues of agitation. I have had some kids pull out and even termed some lately but I am to the point, follow my rules or LEAVE! I have struggled to get back my love and passion for this job and revamping some rules has helped some. Good luck!

[Play Care]

yes, it was.
yes, OP was unregistered.

they really need to find new ways to troll...

Right. I'm over trying to be a pawn in the "mommy wars"

[Annalee]

Since my post is one of the "last few" I just want to clarify, I am not making fun of the OP's feelings. :confused:

I making light of the fact that child care providers are in the service industry and complaining about providing services.
IMHO, that's like McDonald's complaining about having to make hamburgers.

As a business owner its YOUR responsibility to set up rules and guidelines that you are happy with. If you don't like getting paid when parents are at home and not parenting according to your code of parenting ethics then don't participate in it and take kids ONLY from parents working.

How you enforce that...I don't know but if it bothers a provider then she needs to figure out a way to address that. Trusting parents, contracted hours, limiting hours of attendance, etc etc....

I don't know the "right" answer for each individual but I do know that as a self-employed business owner I have the power to make myself happy.

Good Advice! I have been to the point lately of either fixing my issues or quitting! I want the passion and love I HAD for my job back! I am working at making it better! - Lengthening my interview process to 3 - 5 visits before accepting has been great along with your infant expectations form you gave me. Thanks a bunch!

[Mad_Pistachio]

Right. I'm over trying to be a pawn in the "mommy wars"

it's not "mommy wars."
it's the "us against them" thing. instead of working together for the good of the children, some choose to divide into 2 camps and fight. makes perfect sense... :dislike:

[Blackcat31]

they really need to find new ways to troll...

In some ways I agree but really unregistered posters have valuable input and content to offer so as a moderator I would never disregard a post (even when it's a repeat topic) just because the poster doesn't have an attached user name.

I DO check out (to the best of my ability) the authentic-ness of unregistered posters but still there will always be pot stirrers. Some of the best/biggest have been members with familiarity.

Its also important to remember that just because we (regular members/readers) have visited certain topics before doesn't mean they are old to new readers.

We are all in different places in our journey so certain stopping points will always be re-visited.
This is one topic you will see come up over and over the longer you are a member.

If you ever want to take a trip down memory lane or track growth, go back and re-read threads and posts that are old or are in the archives and you can clearly see members change and grow as their experiences, perspectives and backbones develop.

[auntymimi]

The norm in our area for fcc is contracted hours, mostly because if the high eligibility of assistance clients (ccr&r only pays for hours while parents are working). The downside of this is that it's also the norm for us to only be paid for the days the child actually attends. So if mom is off, she will usually keep child home rather than pay for the day. If it's that important to her to have "me time" or whatever and I have a spot, sweet. I'm often "full" when parents of difficult children call for an unscheduled day. I have 99 other problems, though.