Grrr - Parent Interruptions

[NoMoreJuice!]

All kids go downstairs to get ready for nap at 12:00 pm sharp. We read books, tuck in, and turn out the light by about 12:20, at which time I go upstairs and leave my assistant with the sleeping kids. When I came upstairs today, I saw a text from a dcm that she'd be over to get her son for a SCHEDULED eval at 12:45.

Then another one texted me at 12:45 asking if it would be ok to wake their child up so they could pick up to go to the park. I've been so tough on these parents, and these are my longest running clients in this current group.

WHY do I have to keep retraining??? Any tips on making it stick?

[Annalee]

All kids go downstairs to get ready for nap at 12:00 pm sharp. We read books, tuck in, and turn out the light by about 12:20, at which time I go upstairs and leave my assistant with the sleeping kids. When I came upstairs today, I saw a text from a dcm that she'd be over to get her son for a SCHEDULED eval at 12:45.

Then another one texted me at 12:45 asking if it would be ok to wake their child up so they could pick up to go to the park. I've been so tough on these parents, and these are my longest running clients in this current group.

WHY do I have to keep retraining??? Any tips on making it stick?

:hug:I am right there with you......and I have NO answers! NOTHING amazes me anymore! I have come to the the conclusion that they pick up on time and pay on time.....???? Just trying to find something good to say:: Other than that I am emotionally drained after all are dropped off in the morning! Some of the conversations I have in the morning are

[Snowmom]

All kids go downstairs to get ready for nap at 12:00 pm sharp. We read books, tuck in, and turn out the light by about 12:20, at which time I go upstairs and leave my assistant with the sleeping kids. When I came upstairs today, I saw a text from a dcm that she'd be over to get her son for a SCHEDULED eval at 12:45.

Then another one texted me at 12:45 asking if it would be ok to wake their child up so they could pick up to go to the park. I've been so tough on these parents, and these are my longest running clients in this current group.

WHY do I have to keep retraining??? Any tips on making it stick?

Regarding what I bolded above:
If you feel you've already been "tough" on these parents and you keep having to "re-train" them, then perhaps they're not clear on what the consequence for breaking policy is.

Regarding pick up during nap time:
I can share what I do, but keep in mind that I'm very strict with my policies and have no qualms about telling people they can be terminated (and I can replace within a week, so it won't affect me financially).
In my Handbook:
I make it very clear to parents that while I will never keep them from picking up their child whenever they'd like, I do ask they refrain from picking up during nap time as this disrupts the entire group of 12 children whose 12 families rely on routine with healthy naps. If they still chose to do so, I will gladly get their child ready to go along with a termination notice.
If they'd like to avoid the termination notice, then they can pick up before 12:45 or after 3:15.

They must initial a condensed version of it in my contract as well....and I stick to it.

If someone calls or texts about picking up at nap, I will reply back "Did you realize that's nap time? I can get dck ready to go, but it will mean it's your two week termination notice effective today as stated in your contract. Did you still want to come at 1pm?".

[Blackcat31]

Regarding what I bolded above:
If you feel you've already been "tough" on these parents and you keep having to "re-train" them, then perhaps they're not clear on what the consequence for breaking policy is.

Regarding pick up during nap time:
I can share what I do, but keep in mind that I'm very strict with my policies and have no qualms about telling people they can be terminated (and I can replace within a week, so it won't affect me financially).
In my Handbook:
I make it very clear to parents that while I will never keep them from picking up their child whenever they'd like, I do ask they refrain from picking up during nap time as this disrupts the entire group of 12 children whose 12 families rely on routine with healthy naps. If they still chose to do so, I will gladly get their child ready to go along with a termination notice.
If they'd like to avoid the termination notice, then they can pick up before 12:45 or after 3:15.

They must initial a condensed version of it in my contract as well....and I stick to it.

If someone calls or texts about picking up at nap, I will reply back "Did you realize that's nap time? I can get dck ready to go, but it will mean it's your two week termination notice effective today as stated in your contract. Did you still want to come at 1pm?".

.....or the consequence isnt strong enough to prompt them to follow the policy.

"people rarely change their behavior until it becomes a problem for THEM"

[Annalee]

.....or the consequence isnt strong enough to prompt them to follow the policy.

"people rarely change their behavior until it becomes a problem for THEM"

It is not that the mom gets their way here it is just that they ask over and over and over even though I am going to say NO, NO and NO..::

[NoMoreJuice!]

Good point. I can be tougher. Instead of terming, I am going to attach an inconvenience fee to naptime pickups. $30 for first offense, $50 for second, $100 for third. Sound fair?

[Snowmom]

Good point. I can be tougher. Instead of terming, I am going to attach an inconvenience fee to naptime pickups. $30 for first offense, $50 for second, $100 for third. Sound fair?

Possibly. If they ask you why it's "inconvenient", what will you say? I'm asking because, I do agree, attaching money may be an effective way to stop it. But, I think you'd need to be prepared on how to explain it if questioned.
My thoughts:
Because technically you are still allowing it, you'll get people who will do it, thinking you won't really charge them and if you do charge them, they'll then question the charge itself for validity. kwim?

[NoMoreJuice!]

Totally valid point. Zero naptime pickups. But I'm not willing to term. So where does that leave me?

[childcaremom]

I like the fee idea. If they asked why it was an inconvenience fee I am sure that you could come up with an answer. It's disruptive to the group. It's disruptive to the routine. It's disruptive to your supervision of children. It's an inconvenience to have to keep reminding parents that you don't appreciate pick ups during naptime.

[Blackcat31]

Totally valid point. Zero naptime pickups. But I'm not willing to term. So where does that leave me?

I would just be really firm on how inconvenient it is and how one person's failure to be respectful of an entire group is not acceptable or logical.

Maybe if Sally picks up Jr during nap one day (inevitably disturbing others) you could make sure that another day (or two or three) soon after that Jr gets a really late nap so it disrupts his mood at home and then when Sally asks what's going on, you can say "Well JoAnn keeps picking up Jane during nap time disrupting everyone else's nap".

I am not suggesting you try this but I am not advising you not to either.

Sometimes though parents DO suddenly get it when you find a clever way to help them understand.

[Ariana]

I have a "no nap time pickup" policy that is strictly enforced. If the parent does need to pick up for an appointment they need to give me 24 hr notice (I am ok with the night before as well) and the child needs to be picked up before kids go down for nap. So in your case the child needed to be picked up at 12pm. If I don't get any notice the child goes down for nap and I do not answer the door.

There is no fee attached to this because it simply is not happening

[KayB]

I personally don't mind them picking up at naptime....sure makes a easier afternoon with less pickups. BUT...my rules are that I WILL lay your child down and WILL NOT pick them up off of their mat UNTIL you have texted me to say you are here and then I will bring them out to you! In the meant time I have everything ready to go by the door that they take with them.

[Unregistered]

I personally don't mind them picking up at naptime....sure makes a easier afternoon with less pickups. BUT...my rules are that I WILL lay your child down and WILL NOT pick them up off of their mat UNTIL you have texted me to say you are here and then I will bring them out to you! In the meant time I have everything ready to go by the door that they take with them.

That's what I do. Parents get a very sleepy/half awake kid and all their stuff!

[Rockgirl]

I personally don't mind them picking up at naptime....sure makes a easier afternoon with less pickups. BUT...my rules are that I WILL lay your child down and WILL NOT pick them up off of their mat UNTIL you have texted me to say you are here and then I will bring them out to you! In the meant time I have everything ready to go by the door that they take with them.

This is me. It only took a couple of times of "I will pick up right at nap, so please keep him up." We all know what happened, right?

[Kimskiddos]

I personally don't mind them picking up at naptime....sure makes a easier afternoon with less pickups. BUT...my rules are that I WILL lay your child down and WILL NOT pick them up off of their mat UNTIL you have texted me to say you are here and then I will bring them out to you! In the meant time I have everything ready to go by the door that they take with them.

This is also what I do on the rare occasions I have a dcp push this. Because on the whole I don't like nap pick ups! But I also don't mind being a little accommodating/flexible.