The Parent That Calls Every Day

[momatheart]

Wouldn't you love to be able to call her every hour on the hour to bother her at work? LOL


I would turn the ringer off and let the answering machine get it. Have your message say I am busy with the children at the moment, changing diapers, feeding them, reading to them, supervising their play, doing a project with them, cleaning up after a meal or snack, applying sunblock to the children, assisting the children to get ready to go outside, playing outside with the children, putting children down for naps, settling any children disputes, cleaning up spilled juice or milk, assisting a child in the bathroom, etc. make it a long message click that on and maybe she will get the hint that OH YOU DO WORK!!! ::::::::
PS as soon as I have a moment I will return your call or as soon as I catch my breath I will return your call.

[QualiTcare]

i would have an honest "heart to heart" with her. i would tell her that her daily calls make you feel like she doesn't trust you, and that if anything at all was wrong that you would contact her.


she's probably having some guilt issues about leaving her child at daycare (not that she should, but some parents do) so she wants you to know that she really cares about her child by calling every day to check on her. if you give her another perspective like "it makes me feel like you don't trust me" maybe she'll realize her ritual isn't called for.

[hawkfan428]

HAHAHA! At my old center I had a mom call EVERY day the whole time her child was in my room (infant), I knew it was her because we had Caller ID and she would always says, "Hi! This is ____'s mommy!" Like I didn't know who she was. Then she had another baby and the calls started again..."Hi! This is ____'s and ____'s mommy!" She was so nice, but totally annoying at the same time.

[Unregistered]

As I can see 10 calls in 10 minutes is a bit much, I think some of you forget you are watching these peoples most beloved thing in the whole world. First people complain if parents dont seem involved enough and then you complain if they want to know to much, if they want to make sure that their child is safe. Maybe she read about the fire in Texas, maybe she just really loves her kid and wants to make sure they are ok. Maybe she really doesnt trust you, either way no parent can win with some of you, too involved, not involved enough, make up your minds.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!! ::::::::

[Unregistered]

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.

[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?

[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!

[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.

[Unregistered]

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.

[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.