I Overslept...She Was 15 Min, Early And Annoyed With Me

[DCMom]

All of my families are told that if my front porch light is not on, then I am not ready for the children, and they are to wait in the driveway until they see the light go on. I open at 7:00 a.m., and have never missed that opening time, but then I've never had a parent show up at 6:45 without asking me if it's okay ahead of time (even if it's a quick phone call on their way over). Your dcm definitely has a pair of steel ones on her, I'll give her that much!

This is what I do also. I open at 6:30 and generally I am up at 5:30 because I like that 'me' time, but without pre-approval there is no way in heck I am opening that door early. I would be annoyed also.

Sorry your day started off in such a crappy way, I hope it got better.

[Abigail]

Do you have an "early drop off fee"? I would explain that she was 15 minutes early and you were not informed. Tell her you will waive the fee this time because it was her first time doing it, but from now on the fee will be $1/minute early unless otherwise arranged in advance. If you don't do the early drop off/late pickup fee I would either do the light outside just how others do it or simply say you do NOT open before 6:30 and your doors are locked until then. Refer to the contract that she signed with her start time.

[momma2girls]

Do you have an "early drop off fee"? I would explain that she was 15 minutes early and you were not informed. Tell her you will waive the fee this time because it was her first time doing it, but from now on the fee will be $1/minute early unless otherwise arranged in advance. If you don't do the early drop off/late pickup fee I would either do the light outside just how others do it or simply say you do NOT open before 6:30 and your doors are locked until then. Refer to the contract that she signed with her start time.

I totally agree, don't open your doors til your starting time. If they are at your house early, they will not get in. I open my doors exactly what is contracted. I am in the shower, on the treadmill, eating my breakfast, etc. before I open my locked door. I had someone They said they would be here around 7:30ish, they came at 7:00!!!!

[Lucy]

Here's my thing on them showing up early: Don't do it. Or if you do, you will wait outside a locked door until my open time. I have a family who are my first ones at 7am, but usually they are here more like 7:05. Every once in awhile, she used to show up 5, 10, even 15 min early. Like a dummy, I would rush and open the door, even if I hadn't gotten dressed yet. After several times of this (granted, it was only a few times over many months, but still) I just stopped opening the door early. I knew she was there, but I would run water, flush the toilet, etc., just hoping she could hear the water running from where she was on the front porch. Then at maybe 6:55, I'd open the door with my toothbrush still in my hand, or a hand towel like I was just drying my hands, etc. I'd say, "oh, you're early!" Next time I waited till about 6:58, next time exactly 7:00. Four times of it, and she hasn't done it since. In my "old" age (47!) I've taught myself not to feel guilty for something I'm doing RIGHT. I open at 7:00, not 6:45, 6:50, or even 6:55. No guilt.

Now, this is not to say I wouldn't open early if someone requested it. If there was a chance of snow on the news the night before, and she asked if she could come 10 or 15 min early if it ends up snowing, then yes. No problem. Or even if they called at 6:30 and said "it snowed 3 inches overnight, can I come at 6:45?" Yes, I'd do that. It's when they show up unannounced that doesn't fly with me. It's disrespectful, and shows that they think I'm just here for them whenever they need me. Nope. It's a business. Respect it.

[MG&Lsmom]

I totally agree, don't open your doors til your starting time. If they are at your house early, they will not get in. I open my doors exactly what is contracted. I am in the shower, on the treadmill, eating my breakfast, etc. before I open my locked door. I had someone They said they would be here around 7:30ish, they came at 7:00!!!!

If you need another in agreement count me in. I use every last minute to get ready in the morning. Showing up even 5 mins early means I don't get something done whether it's getting my own kids dressed, finishing the last bites of my breakfast or sips of my coffee. The only time I agree to earlier than 7am is on the very first day to give parents some peace of mind that they are not rushing out the door. 10-15 min max and I know they are coming.