Parents Not at Work - VENT

[MissAnn]

For me it is irritating IF:
*the parent is not working and that child is picked up well past the others every day. Especially when the parent knows their child is upset...waiting for mom/dad to arrive.

*a teacher's kid comes every day during break and is the only child

*admittedly....if it's a parent who pays late, doesn't bring in items you ask for, complains ....etc.....the having kids here while they are off work can become the straw that broke the camel's back.

*admittedly...if it's a "good" client who pays on time, thanks you, and is considerate.....I will not vent.

Nothing wrong with venting here. Isn't that partially what this forum is for? We do to have to have the same opinion but we should be considerate of each other. Agree to disagree.

[Ariana]

I for one am not going to apologize for the fact that this drives me crazy too! I provide a service for working/going to school parents. Of course I do not begrudge a day off here and there or if the parent is home sick OF COURSE that is cool. I would not accept a child into daycare who had parents home all day. That is me, my opinion and my prerogative.

I also wouldn't manufacture a guitar for someone so they could set it on fire. Just because you get paid doesn't mean you don't have standards and values for yourself and the people you provide a service for. I don't respect people who value $$ over time with their children like teachers who keep their kids here over March break. I therefore closed for March break so I could spend time with my own kids and I lost that income. Whatever. She can do what she wants but I have zero respect for her. I don't lose sleep over it and I certainly don't waste my energy on it. I shrug, roll my eyes and go about my day but a part of me does feel sorry for that child.

[Jackie]

I for one am not going to apologize for the fact that this drives me crazy too! I provide a service for working/going to school parents. Of course I do not begrudge a day off here and there or if the parent is home sick OF COURSE that is cool. I would not accept a child into daycare who had parents home all day. That is me, my opinion and my prerogative.

I also wouldn't manufacture a guitar for someone so they could set it on fire. Just because you get paid doesn't mean you don't have standards and values for yourself and the people you provide a service for. I don't respect people who value $$ over time with their children like teachers who keep their kids here over March break. I therefore closed for March break so I could spend time with my own kids and I lost that income. Whatever. She can do what she wants but I have zero respect for her. I don't lose sleep over it and I certainly don't waste my energy on it. I shrug, roll my eyes and go about my day but a part of me does feel sorry for that child.

But what gives you the right to define what parenting means for others? Most providers are in this business because they couldn't imagine being the type of parent that let someone else raise or care for their child all day every day so therefore they are probably not putting their children in daycares so in theory, you are already providing services for families that don't share your parenting values so do you not respect those clients? You mentioned a day here or there, do you share that concept with parents in your program? How many days is too many?

[NightOwl]

I for one am not going to apologize for the fact that this drives me crazy too! I provide a service for working/going to school parents. Of course I do not begrudge a day off here and there or if the parent is home sick OF COURSE that is cool. I would not accept a child into daycare who had parents home all day. That is me, my opinion and my prerogative.

I also wouldn't manufacture a guitar for someone so they could set it on fire. Just because you get paid doesn't mean you don't have standards and values for yourself and the people you provide a service for. I don't respect people who value $$ over time with their children like teachers who keep their kids here over March break. I therefore closed for March break so I could spend time with my own kids and I lost that income. Whatever. She can do what she wants but I have zero respect for her. I don't lose sleep over it and I certainly don't waste my energy on it. I shrug, roll my eyes and go about my day but a part of me does feel sorry for that child.

Genuinely curious. You said you wouldn't accept a child into care if their parent was not working that day. What would you say to the parent who arrived to drop off and you knew they were just going home to chill? I may steal...

[MunchkinWrangler]

I for one am not going to apologize for the fact that this drives me crazy too! I provide a service for working/going to school parents. Of course I do not begrudge a day off here and there or if the parent is home sick OF COURSE that is cool. I would not accept a child into daycare who had parents home all day. That is me, my opinion and my prerogative.

I also wouldn't manufacture a guitar for someone so they could set it on fire. Just because you get paid doesn't mean you don't have standards and values for yourself and the people you provide a service for. I don't respect people who value $$ over time with their children like teachers who keep their kids here over March break. I therefore closed for March break so I could spend time with my own kids and I lost that income. Whatever. She can do what she wants but I have zero respect for her. I don't lose sleep over it and I certainly don't waste my energy on it. I shrug, roll my eyes and go about my day but a part of me does feel sorry for that child.

The only caveat I have with this is honesty. I would rather a parent tell me the truth of what they're doing instead of lying to me about working and not. I would feel more resentful about the dishonestly then if they were sitting on the couch eating bon bons.

[Ariana]

But what gives you the right to define what parenting means for others? Most providers are in this business because they couldn't imagine being the type of parent that let someone else raise or care for their child all day every day so therefore they are probably not putting their children in daycares so in theory, you are already providing services for families that don't share your parenting values so do you not respect those clients? You mentioned a day here or there, do you share that concept with parents in your program? How many days is too many?

What gives me the right is that I can decide who I provide a service to. If you are home all day doing nothing and you want child care then my program is not right for you.

Yes I do share that with clients. I provide part-time care for children of stay at home moms or for parents who work opposite shifts but need someone to fill in the gaps. I cater to those clients. I don't provide full time care to people who do not work. That is really it. As I mentioned in my post I have no problem providing care for people who choose/need to work. I just don't agree with the value system someone has that brings their child to daycare and then goes home to do nothing barring all extenuating circumstances like sickness.

[Jackie]

Genuinely curious. You said you wouldn't accept a child into care if their parent was not working that day. What would you say to the parent who arrived to drop off and you knew they were just going home to chill? I may steal...

I am curious as to this too.Because of the situation the following provider posted.

The only caveat I have with this is honesty. I would rather a parent tell me the truth of what they're doing instead of lying to me about working and not. I would feel more resentful about the dishonestly then if they were sitting on the couch eating bon bons.

[Ariana]

Genuinely curious. You said you wouldn't accept a child into care if their parent was not working that day. What would you say to the parent who arrived to drop off and you knew they were just going home to chill? I may steal...

Usually parents don't tell me this and to be honest a day here or there for yourself is perfectly acceptable as I stated. I don't provide care for parents with that type of lifestyle where they are constantly taking "me time". However if this was constantly occurring after enrollment I would term. Most parents during the interview have no qualms with saying they like "me time" and although they aren't working full time they will have the kid here full time. I don't accept those people into my care.

I am fortunate in that the mom I was having this issue with after enrollment left so that grandma could take care of her child for free. Can't beat free childcare for the mom that does nothing.

And Jackie I don't define parenting for others. I define my business for me

[NightOwl]

Usually parents don't tell me this and to be honest a day here or there for yourself is perfectly acceptable as I stated. I don't provide care for parents with that type of lifestyle where they are constantly taking "me time". However if this was constantly occurring after enrollment I would term. Most parents during the interview have no qualms with saying they like "me time" and although they aren't working full time they will have the kid here full time. I don't accept those people into my care.

I am fortunate in that the mom I was having this issue with after enrollment left so that grandma could take care of her child for free. Can't beat free childcare for the mom that does nothing.

And Jackie I don't define parenting for others. I define my business for me

Excellent answer!