Was I Too Quick to Say No?

[Miss A]

A new family started this week after having contacted me while pregnant back in November. I knew in November that they would need early care, and agreed to open early for them on a set schedule for an additional fee. Today, DCM asks me if I would be willing to open any earlier on occasion. I automatically said no, as DCBaby is here close to 11 hours each day, and I am pregnant and will soon have my own long nights and early mornings.

I guess I am just here looking for reassurance that I can make this decision in good conscious and not have a new DCM upset with me. But, if I don't put my foot down at the start then I will be walked on later, maybe not by this family but by another.

[lovemydaycare0912]

A new family started this week after having contacted me while pregnant back in November. I knew in November that they would need early care, and agreed to open early for them on a set schedule for an additional fee. Today, DCM asks me if I would be willing to open any earlier on occasion. I automatically said no, as DCBaby is here close to 11 hours each day, and I am pregnant and will soon have my own long nights and early mornings.

I guess I am just here looking for reassurance that I can make this decision in good conscious and not have a new DCM upset with me. But, if I don't put my foot down at the start then I will be walked on later, maybe not by this family but by another.

This is how I see it. If she's upset and leaves, then you don't want her as a dcm anyway. 11 hours is long enough so she's lucky. Any longer now, then she'll keep asking for more and more. I think you did the right thing. Better to say no now then you say yes and end up miserable and then have to term, etc.

[Boymom]

I totally think you did the right thing! Even after 10 hours I am mentally drained! You do what's best for you :-)

[lovemydaycare0912]

I totally think you did the right thing! Even after 10 hours I am mentally drained! You do what's best for you :-)

I sure am as well. I count down the hours until nap time. Then count down the hours until pick up. . I love my kids but today with the rain, it just made me so tired and lazy.

[Miss A]

I sure am as well. I count down the hours until nap time. Then count down the hours until pick up. . I love my kids but today with the rain, it just made me so tired and lazy.

Oh, I hear ya! I have an all baby group, which I don't mind because I love Infants, but when they are all taking their naps, I relish those moments of quiet!

[CityGarden]

I don't feel you were too quick. I would not adjust my hours in the mornings especially as there are specific reason you set them that way..... if you decided to change them for one family that would be your choice but you are right to uphold your policies --- either they work for that family or they don't.

[Josiegirl]

How occasional? And had you already said yes to those particular hours when she signed up in November?
If she's simply adding more time on just now, then no is entirely appropriate. If she was asking for maybe 1 a.m. a month and you'd charge more, then that's something I could live with.
But you know what? It IS your business and 11 hours already is a very long day. We all have our lines we're going to draw in this business.

[Play Care]

A new family started this week after having contacted me while pregnant back in November. I knew in November that they would need early care, and agreed to open early for them on a set schedule for an additional fee. Today, DCM asks me if I would be willing to open any earlier on occasion. I automatically said no, as DCBaby is here close to 11 hours each day, and I am pregnant and will soon have my own long nights and early mornings.

I guess I am just here looking for reassurance that I can make this decision in good conscious and not have a new DCM upset with me. But, if I don't put my foot down at the start then I will be walked on later, maybe not by this family but by another.

So you are already opening early for her on set occasions and she wanted more?
I don't think it was too quick at all. Because we all know how those occasions add up quickly.

[Blackcat31]

Why is he in care for 11 hours? Is it full time?

[MunchkinWrangler]

Yeah, I think 11 hours is a really long day for you and her child. I personally don't work more than 10 hours and that's a long day to me. I wouldn't feel guilty about saying no, especially if it wasn't anything you knew about in advance. It's that typical boss/employee mindset of the parents.