I Feel Like I'm Reprimanding Every Parent I Have

[Heidi]

For the nap time thing, both my sis and I have signs on the front door.

KIDS NAPPING! DO NOT DISTURB!

Call xxx-xxx-xxxx for entry.

BIG sign. You could add "under penalty of death" or "wake 'em up, and they're ALL yours" or something punchy.

I just kept it near the door, and switched it out with the open/closed sign I made.

[Snowmom]

I'm either reprimanding a parent for not paying on time, reprimanding a parent for banging on my door at nap time to pick their child up early, unannounced at nap time, reprimanding them for allowing their child to be awake at night after 12:30/1:30 in the morning which of course makes them come in here crying and are hateful for the day, or reprimanding them for not closing the gate or something else.

Do you guys reprimand your parents for things that they do that are against your policies, disruptive to your daycare, or is simply bad parenting which then you (NOT THEM) have to suffer the consequences the next day?

I have been broke for so long and have only had a couple of kids for so long, I really think I should just keep my mouth shut and be happy to be making money. But, it's now at the expense of my sanity on a daily basis!

Just throwing out an idea since you don't want to threaten termination:
How about assigning a fee to the infractions? Write up an addendum to your contract including the fee and increase the fee for every occurrence.

"Effective immediately, any client disrupting our daily routine by picking up during nap time will be charged an additional $10 pick up fee for the first occurrence, $20 for the second occurrence and it will steadily increase $10 each time there after.
Additionally, any client not paying their weekly fee by the deadline will incur a $25 late fee per day."

[Denali]

For the nap time thing, both my sis and I have signs on the front door.

KIDS NAPPING! DO NOT DISTURB!

Call xxx-xxx-xxxx for entry.

BIG sign. You could add "under penalty of death" or "wake 'em up, and they're ALL yours" or something punchy.

I just kept it near the door, and switched it out with the open/closed sign I made.

$50 fee per child you wake!

[Annalee]

Parents today are a whole new breed. They listen but don't hear and it feels like an elementary classroom when dealing with them. It is a constant every day thing.....I have 3 that are this way. Like I have said in previous post, I don't terminate for fear of getting someone worse. They pay and pick up on time....but have trouble with common sense things. It is not an easy fix..... My three-strike rule has helped but it doesn't cure it because something else comes up. It is not like the parents feel "entitled", it is like they are clueless to common sense daily practices. Psychology has always intrigued me and these parents have me bumfuzzled (if that is a word). I actually asked one parent "who is the parent in your family".....it is like the kids are better at common sense than their parents:: I should not have to tell a parent to NOT pick flowers out of my potted plants.....The kid was saying "mom, ms.xxx planted those, don't bother them".....just one of my pet peeves....it is disrespectful what some of these parents do, but I have three that are beyond clueless to every day life.... My "good" parents are to the point they give me this when they walk in with one of these three parents::

[LysesKids]

Parents today are a whole new breed. They listen but don't hear and it feels like an elementary classroom when dealing with them. It is a constant every day thing.....I have 3 that are this way. Like I have said in previous post, I don't terminate for fear of getting someone worse. They pay and pick up on time....but have trouble with common sense things. It is not an easy fix..... My three-strike rule has helped but it doesn't cure it because something else comes up. It is not like the parents feel "entitled", it is like they are clueless to common sense daily practices. Psychology has always intrigued me and these parents have me bumfuzzled (if that is a word). I actually asked one parent "who is the parent in your family".....it is like the kids are better at common sense than their parents:: I should not have to tell a parent to NOT pick flowers out of my potted plants.....The kid was saying "mom, ms.xxx planted those, don't bother them".....just one of my pet peeves....it is disrespectful what some of these parents do, but I have three that are beyond clueless to every day life.... My "good" parents are to the point they give me this when they walk in with one of these three parents::

I've gotten to the point of implementing a new fee with one parent who has started being over 30 minutes late daily & he refuses to text to let me know; I will be explaining to mom tonight that If you or hubby haven't called or texted within 30 minutes of munchkins scheduled drop-off time & I have too call you, it's $5 each day. I would be $35 richer already if I had started it last week instead of tomorrow .

Dad was running so late today he never even gave baby a bottle before dropping off, just changed him and left

[JackandJill]

I agree with the extra fees. Its a win win for you. Either parents will stop, or you will be able to make a little cash!

[LysesKids]

I agree with the extra fees. Its a win win for you. Either parents will stop, or you will be able to make a little cash!

Well it is an actual policy & they use to be good about letting me know when they would be late... lately he's been making excuse after excuse (and he apologizes) - I'm just tired of it

[JackandJill]

Well it is an actual policy & they use to be good about letting me know when they would be late... lately he's been making excuse after excuse (and he apologizes) - I'm just tired of it

Oh man, I just read your post about dad being late, that would make me want to term! I meant PV should put fees in place since she can't term.

Can you get let them go? There is no amount of money that would put my day on hold for 30 more minutes!!

[Annalee]

I've gotten to the point of implementing a new fee with one parent who has started being over 30 minutes late daily & he refuses to text to let me know; I will be explaining to mom tonight that If you or hubby haven't called or texted within 30 minutes of munchkins scheduled drop-off time & I have too call you, it's $5 each day. I would be $35 richer already if I had started it last week instead of tomorrow .

Dad was running so late today he never even gave baby a bottle before dropping off, just changed him and left

My problem is these parents are my three latest so they have contracted hours and they follow the big stuff with pay/pickup but can't follow common sense stuff....like plucking my flowers.::

[LysesKids]

Oh man, I just read your post about dad being late, that would make me want to term! I meant PV should put fees in place since she can't term.

Can you get let them go? There is no amount of money that would put my day on hold for 30 more minutes!!

If I had another spot open, then yes I could term because I have twins ( 6 weeks old at the moment) waiting for age outs come September, however because I can only take 4 kids and one on the roster is only a 3 day, yeah, can't afford term right now.

It was more frustrating last week because he knew my 6:45 kid was on vacation and he is my 7am drop; he has been showing at 7:45 which isn't until just before #3 shows. This week 6:45 is back, but still

[LysesKids]

My problem is these parents are my three latest so they have contracted hours and they follow the big stuff with pay/pickup but can't follow common sense stuff....like plucking my flowers.::

Yeah, "late dad" is the same one I have been reminding to please not smoke immediately before pick up... My asthma is real bad right now and the smell just kills me. I have a "fragrance free" policy too and he knows that as well

[HHdaycare12]

I had this problem

OK so I HAD this problem, I was either angry people were late all the time, or forgetting their checks etc. I felt like I was beating a dead horse. So I created a parents only Facebook page. It has done wonders for me. I post pictures (not daily) and little info bits regularly then I address any issues as a whole. I never single out any parent. The best part is that YOU can see who sees the post (which parents) and nobody else knows. Since I made this I have not had issues with this at all. Good Luck

I'm either reprimanding a parent for not paying on time, reprimanding a parent for banging on my door at nap time to pick their child up early, unannounced at nap time, reprimanding them for allowing their child to be awake at night after 12:30/1:30 in the morning which of course makes them come in here crying and are hateful for the day, or reprimanding them for not closing the gate or something else.

Do you guys reprimand your parents for things that they do that are against your policies, disruptive to your daycare, or is simply bad parenting which then you (NOT THEM) have to suffer the consequences the next day?

I have been broke for so long and have only had a couple of kids for so long, I really think I should just keep my mouth shut and be happy to be making money. But, it's now at the expense of my sanity on a daily basis!

[permanentvacation]

I just reprimanded a parent again this morning. Then she started yelling at me that she can't do this this morning. She kept yelling at me basically rewording herself. I have fussed with her for months about being on time. She always arrives at an unscheduled time. Usually she's about 1/2 to 1 hour late in the morning and then out of the blue, she'll be 1/2 hour early! It drives me nuts because I can't plan the things I need to do in the morning to make sure that I'm available for her child at arrival time. I'm often in the middle of cooking the kids' breakfast, feeding the pets, pulling the trash cans in from out back, going to the bathroom, etc. and then she's at the door knocking away while I'm in the middle of doing something. Then I have to stop what I'm doing and rush to the door. I just don't understand why she can't be on time. I also don't understand why she hasn't lost her job for being up to going on 2 hours late to work often.

So, would you guys say anything to her about being on time?

[permanentvacation]

Oh, and since she decided to yell at you this morning, what would you do about that? Keep in mind that you need her income.

[Thriftylady]

Well to start with no one is coming in my home yelling at me and being allowed back in my home ever again. Even DH can't do that!

As far as late drop offs, I have in my handbook if they are past a certain time late and I haven't heard from them, the child will be marked absent for the day. I do accept late children, but this policy makes sure that parents inform me. And, for the most part they do. When they don't, I let them know it can't happen again.

The half hour early are you talking about at drop off or pick up? I don't allow parents to drop off early without arranging it with me ahead of time. I simply wouldn't open the door. And if they want to pick up early, kudos to them!

These are really easy situations to deal with, once we decide we will enforce them. If a family leaves over it (or I make them leave due to disrespect), so be it. Trust me we are desperate for the money too, but there is only so much I am willing to put up with. Sometimes when you help a bad match move on, a better one comes along.