The Parent That Calls Every Day

I was in the middle of changing diapers and then fixing lunch and in between those time she called 10 times every minute.When she finally didnt get a answer at all, she sent her husband to the childcare to make sure everything was alright. He said she was having a panic attack because she couldnt get through and this is after that child has been in me my care for 4 months now. This just make me want to refer her to someone else for the care of her child. There is just no trust.

No you make it very clear that you are very busy with drops-offs, talking to the parents ect. and you will call her back at nap time period. Let her call 20 times, but she will wait till nap time for a return back call. (nice but firm) If she wants to leave work, let her.
I've done this and it works, often they don't like it because its their lunch hour or they're busy. Be firm and most likely she will stop, oh and continue to keep calling her if she doesn't answer, I'm serious!

The Parent that calls everyday.

I was in the middle of changing diapers and then fixing lunch and in between those time she called 10 times every minute.When she finally didnt get a answer at all, she sent her husband to the childcare to make sure everything was alright. He said she was having a panic attack because she couldnt get through and this is after that child has been in me my care for 4 months now. This just make me want to refer her to someone else for the care of her child. There is just no trust.

[SilverSabre25]

All I am saying is that when I read the posts in this thread it seems everyone says nope no calls blah, blah, blah. But when a parent brings their child to go to a doctors appointment or do something besides work they are jumped on for being a neglectful parent, then at another turn if they call to check everyday they are overprotective and annoying. It seems like some of you are never happy no matter what kind of client you have. Texts, emails are great, the original person doesnt like to text so she needs to **** it up and answer her phone.

And really do you think it was great advice MissNikki to tell her to let a parent worry and drive over to her house, that is the worst advice I have seen on here. Let a parent worry that something happened to their children, yes that will get you far in this business.

To be fair I do not personally care what parents are doing while their child is here so long as I'm paid and the child is picked up on time (or with prior notice if they're going to be late). I have said several times on this thread that the calling wouldn't bug me if the parent's tone was less shocked and suspicious when I tell her that all is well. It's the tone and the nature of the calls that rubs me the wrong way.

[jen]

i see what you're saying - i've said the same thing in the past.

Hmm...I think that you can always hope to find a happy medium

[missnikki]

And really do you think it was great advice MissNikki to tell her to let a parent worry and drive over to her house, that is the worst advice I have seen on here. Let a parent worry that something happened to their children, yes that will get you far in this business.

Yes I do, and I have very little opinion of your opinion.

Parents calling

I think that it's totally normal for parents to call when their kids start daycare initially, but there does come a time when the calls are really not needed any longer. I think that a dialogue at the end of the day or a daily report for those who like to do those is sufficient. I know that I don't always have time during the course of the day to take calls from parents who are calling to check up on their kids.

I'm not saying that parents should never call to check on their kids, I just think that daily phone calls to check in will be repetitive for both myself and the parent calling.

[QualiTcare]

All I am saying is that when I read the posts in this thread it seems everyone says nope no calls blah, blah, blah. But when a parent brings their child to go to a doctors appointment or do something besides work they are jumped on for being a neglectful parent, then at another turn if they call to check everyday they are overprotective and annoying. It seems like some of you are never happy no matter what kind of client you have. Texts, emails are great, the original person doesnt like to text so she needs to **** it up and answer her phone.

And really do you think it was great advice MissNikki to tell her to let a parent worry and drive over to her house, that is the worst advice I have seen on here. Let a parent worry that something happened to their children, yes that will get you far in this business.

i see what you're saying - i've said the same thing in the past.

[jen]

I know, but seriously its annoying to constantly hear "Everyone here is so negative, blah, blah, blah." Its just that people only post the highs and lows of the job. Know what I mean?

I totally get it...it's weird how much people like to come here to start drama so that they can take it back to other boards and rip on the people here. It's really awfully funny that they don't have enough to talk about on their own board! LOL! I figure its best not to respond so they get bored and go away, but that's just my opinion!

[JenNJ]

I know, but seriously its annoying to constantly hear "Everyone here is so negative, blah, blah, blah." Its just that people only post the highs and lows of the job. Know what I mean?

Hey unregistered -- remember that people generally only post about the extremes (over or under involved parents). No advice needed for perfect clients like I have. This is what it would look like:

I love ALL my daycare families. We have great communication and I love that they email me and text me 95% of the time. When I do get a phone call, my heart jumps into my throat bc I am scared that it is an emergency. Because when they call, it is VERY important. So, I hope I never get phone calls bc it usually means an accident, family emergency, or something else terrible.

My dc families are on time, pay without me asking, and are super nice people. They respect me, I respect them. I am very lucky to have each of them in my life. I love them all so much that I invite them all to my kids birthday parties. And if they can make it -- they come!! I work with like minded parents, which is why I have smooth sailing in my business.

All I am saying is that when I read the posts in this thread it seems everyone says nope no calls blah, blah, blah. But when a parent brings their child to go to a doctors appointment or do something besides work they are jumped on for being a neglectful parent, then at another turn if they call to check everyday they are overprotective and annoying. It seems like some of you are never happy no matter what kind of client you have. Texts, emails are great, the original person doesnt like to text so she needs to **** it up and answer her phone.

And really do you think it was great advice MissNikki to tell her to let a parent worry and drive over to her house, that is the worst advice I have seen on here. Let a parent worry that something happened to their children, yes that will get you far in this business.

[jen]

Hey unregistered -- remember that people generally only post about the extremes (over or under involved parents). No advice needed for perfect clients like I have. This is what it would look like:

I love ALL my daycare families. We have great communication and I love that they email me and text me 95% of the time. When I do get a phone call, my heart jumps into my throat bc I am scared that it is an emergency. Because when they call, it is VERY important. So, I hope I never get phone calls bc it usually means an accident, family emergency, or something else terrible.

My dc families are on time, pay without me asking, and are super nice people. They respect me, I respect them. I am very lucky to have each of them in my life. I love them all so much that I invite them all to my kids birthday parties. And if they can make it -- they come!! I work with like minded parents, which is why I have smooth sailing in my business.

Don't feed the trolls!! ::::::::

[JenNJ]

Hey unregistered -- remember that people generally only post about the extremes (over or under involved parents). No advice needed for perfect clients like I have. This is what it would look like:

I love ALL my daycare families. We have great communication and I love that they email me and text me 95% of the time. When I do get a phone call, my heart jumps into my throat bc I am scared that it is an emergency. Because when they call, it is VERY important. So, I hope I never get phone calls bc it usually means an accident, family emergency, or something else terrible.

My dc families are on time, pay without me asking, and are super nice people. They respect me, I respect them. I am very lucky to have each of them in my life. I love them all so much that I invite them all to my kids birthday parties. And if they can make it -- they come!! I work with like minded parents, which is why I have smooth sailing in my business.

[missnikki]

Well, if it really gets to that point where she calls and no answer, calls back, and jumps in her car to come see....and according to your rules, she has to take kid with her if she visits...

I'd let her panic, just once. Hate to say it, but that might work, as a last ditch effort.

[jen]

Hmmm...do you have a digital camera?

Here is what I would do...what I do do for new families... Snap a couple of pictures of the baby happy and smiling and send it in a quick email that says something like..what a sweet happy baby! I just love having her here.

The next day, BEFORE she has the opportunity to call, send another quick email, just checking in, Baby is doing great!

3rd day, send a pic and a note...

Hopefully, your premptive communicatin will stop her from calling.

As she gets more comfortable, you can begin to decrease the emails. I still send out picts to the whole group on a bi-monthly basis.

Good luck! The calling would annoy me too.

[SilverSabre25]

Thank you, Nanny, you're absolutely right that it's the tone of mistrust that bugs me.

The first few weeks, I did do as you do Pammie, and offered up little tidbits --"Oh yes, she's having a blast playing on the floor with the other kids!" or whatever--but it didn't seem to make a smidgen of difference. I've progressed to the "short and sweet" or "short and slightly out of breath because I'm trying to get them all lunch before they eat me alive" stage, mainly because nothing I say or don't say seems to change anything...this is just my newest tactic.

It absolutely wouldn't bother me if she was content to hear that things are good, great even--and if she was content to let it go when I can't get to the phone right away (and if she didn't freak out on Thursdays when my DH answers the phone...which she knew from the start would happen). I also think that this parent issue would be fine if it was just this, but there are a bunch of other nutty/weird things these parents do and have done, that make it a very strained relationship in the first place, and make the phone calls that much more frustrating.