Changing My Rates to Accommodate a Family That Can't Pay?

[Pestle]

Here's my thought:

There are actually some desperately poor people out there. My mother was one of them. So we got what she could pay for: Horrible care, some of it abusive. The people in that situation, who know they don't have money for decent care, aren't even coming to you to ask you to change your rates; they're finding (awful) alternatives to traditional care.

Even if the truly destitute WERE coming to us, the damage we'd take vs. the help we could offer aren't equal. If you can't afford the basic necessities of life, and I let you persuade me to offer my time and labor below cost, I will be in the same situation you're in. I won't be saving you; you'll be dragging me into poverty. I'm sorry to see you suffering this way, but salvation from the damage that poverty brings? That comes from directions that are NOT your family day care provider. If you can't afford me, there are lots of other necessities you can't afford, and wrecking my own life to make myself affordable to you--that's not going to make a significant difference in your overall situation.

[renodeb]

Don't do it. That family will expect other favors down the line or they will tell there friends that you will do it for them.
Deb

[laundrymom]

Pestle, that bolded part.
O. M. G.

Truth! Straight truth!!

Here's my thought:

There are actually some desperately poor people out there. My mother was one of them. So we got what she could pay for: Horrible care, some of it abusive. The people in that situation, who know they don't have money for decent care, aren't even coming to you to ask you to change your rates; they're finding (awful) alternatives to traditional care.

Even if the truly destitute WERE coming to us, the damage we'd take vs. the help we could offer aren't equal. If you can't afford the basic necessities of life, and I let you persuade me to offer my time and labor below cost, I will be in the same situation you're in. I won't be saving you; you'll be dragging me into poverty. I'm sorry to see you suffering this way, but salvation from the damage that poverty brings? That comes from directions that are NOT your family day care provider. If you can't afford me, there are lots of other necessities you can't afford, and wrecking my own life to make myself affordable to you--that's not going to make a significant difference in your overall situation.