I was So Nervous!

[Heart12]

So let me just start off by saying that this forum has given me this biggest set of kahonas! ::

Yesterday was a rough Monday. I had a new baby starting, (which I ended up not accepting because they forgot to health inventory & immunization sheets), licensing was supposed to come (never showed) for my first inspection (she came while I was on vacation so she just let me schedule it) & the SA in my care was OUT.OF.CONTROL. I couldnt wait for the day to end. I close up shop at 6pm & SA was still here. I called DCM & she's in shock that Dad didnt come for SA. She calls me back & says that he went home after work & fell asleep. Needless to say, I was pretty pissed. I still had to cook dinner for my family & tend to my own children. She apologized a dozen times & said that Grandma would come get SA. At 6:45 Grandma shows up apologizing over & over. I said, "It's ok. I understand things happen...buttt I have to give you this..." I handed her a notice stating that DCM owed me a $45 late fee. Her smile quickly turned to a frown. I said, "Have a great night!" & shut my door.

Before finding this forum I would have NEVER done that! Instead I would have stewed on it for the rest of the night. I was feeling so proud of myself!! & your guys are so right! It really does get easier!!

[Blackcat31]

So let me just start off by saying that this forum has given me this biggest set of kahonas! ::

Yesterday was a rough Monday. I had a new baby starting, (which I ended up not accepting because they forgot to health inventory & immunization sheets), licensing was supposed to come (never showed) for my first inspection (she came while I was on vacation so she just let me schedule it) & the SA in my care was OUT.OF.CONTROL. I couldnt wait for the day to end. I close up shop at 6pm & SA was still here. I called DCM & she's in shock that Dad didnt come for SA. She calls me back & says that he went home after work & fell asleep. Needless to say, I was pretty pissed. I still had to cook dinner for my family & tend to my own children. She apologized a dozen times & said that Grandma would come get SA. At 6:45 Grandma shows up apologizing over & over. I said, "It's ok. I understand things happen...buttt I have to give you this..." I handed her a notice stating that DCM owed me a $45 late fee. Her smile quickly turned to a frown. I said, "Have a great night!" & shut my door.

Before finding this forum I would have NEVER done that! Instead I would have stewed on it for the rest of the night. I was feeling so proud of myself!! & your guys are so right! It really does get easier!!

Good for you!!!!

Just because we (as providers) have a big and generous heart and care deeply for the kids we have in care does not mean we deserve to be treated with disrespect and not picking up on time is disrespectful.

Paying the late fee should also be something parents are willing to do as an apology for not being respectful of your time but as payment for the EXTRA time you had to take from your family and give to theirs.

Good for you!! happyface

[Rockgirl]

Good job!!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Sometimes those BIG late fees help them learn to stay on top of their priorities as parents. Set an alarm if you're going to take a nap...don't lay down if you need to leave soon...etc.

[Play Care]

Good for you! happyface

[LysesKids]

So let me just start off by saying that this forum has given me this biggest set of kahonas! ::

Yesterday was a rough Monday. I had a new baby starting, (which I ended up not accepting because they forgot to health inventory & immunization sheets), licensing was supposed to come (never showed) for my first inspection (she came while I was on vacation so she just let me schedule it) & the SA in my care was OUT.OF.CONTROL. I couldnt wait for the day to end. I close up shop at 6pm & SA was still here. I called DCM & she's in shock that Dad didnt come for SA. She calls me back & says that he went home after work & fell asleep. Needless to say, I was pretty pissed. I still had to cook dinner for my family & tend to my own children. She apologized a dozen times & said that Grandma would come get SA. At 6:45 Grandma shows up apologizing over & over. I said, "It's ok. I understand things happen...buttt I have to give you this..." I handed her a notice stating that DCM owed me a $45 late fee. Her smile quickly turned to a frown. I said, "Have a great night!" & shut my door.

Before finding this forum I would have NEVER done that! Instead I would have stewed on it for the rest of the night. I was feeling so proud of myself!! & your guys are so right! It really does get easier!!

Yeah for you!

I ended up charging one dad $75 for a forgotten child (2 years ago)... he was like you should have told me you had somewhere to be; ummm NO, what I do after your child is suppose to be gone is my business - his wife reamed him a new one that night too because she was at a competition with the other child 3 hrs away and she was the normal pick up person; he had gone home & fell asleep and it was his day off too

[Mike]

Good for you. Doesn't matter how much we love children. When work time is over, we have a personal life to attend to. :: Pretty much any kind of service has overtime fees. People just don't think daycare providers are going to charge it, because we like our jobs.

[Josiegirl]

If it's written in the contract/handbook they should expect it, right??? If they took the time to read it in the first place.

Good for you for sticking to your own rules!

[Play Care]

Now for the important bit - have they paid?!

[daycarediva]

Now for the important bit - have they paid?!

^ my thoughts, too!

[Heart12]

Now for the important bit - have they paid?!

YES!! :: DCM came in the next morning, handed me $45 & said she had a stern talking to DCD & that would NEVER happen again!