Did I Handle This Correctly?

[momofboys]

Today is my last day of childcare before Christmas break (I only care for one family). On Fri I typically just care for this family's 18 month old & I do B & A care for their child who is a second grader. They also have a daughter but she attends an all-day preschool close to one of the parents' work places on MWF & only comes to our home on Tue/Th. While I see mom pulling into the drive my phone rings & the dad is on the other line saying he will need to bring the daughter today also b/c he just realized her last day of school was Wed. He wants to know if he can drop her off at 8:30 (this is typically when I drive my sons & his son to school). WTH is what I am thinking? How did you not know this until the morning of school that she didn't have preschool? I understand people forget but I schedule things (Appts, etc) based on who will be here & not. I run short errands on my lighter day. Today my one son was home sick from school (in a segregated area) & the mom knew I had to run him to the dr to get his throat swabbed. She is okay with our kids being ill & her kids being at my home so long as I keep them separated which isn't a problem b/c my son is 8 & he can stay in my bedroom & read/watch a DVD, etc. I told him I'd be "happy" to have her so long as he waits until I am back from the dr. at 9:15-9:20 (appt was at 8:45, 2 min from my home). I was not taking 4 kids with me to the dr's office (I also have a 2 year old). I guess he thought one more child would not matter. How would you have handled this? And naturally they hadn't paid me for this day for her although I am certain they would have.

[originalkat]

That was Fair

I think telling him he has to wait until after the Doctor's appointment to bring her was fair. He did not give you any notice and you already had plans. However, sinse his other kid was already there and going to the Appointment with you, I can see how he (as a man) (NO Offense Chicken Hauler) probably isnt thinking of what a hassel it is to take a bunch of kids to the doctor's office!

But, I think you did the right thing.

[momofboys]

I think telling him he has to wait until after the Doctor's appointment to bring her was fair. He did not give you any notice and you already had plans. However, sinse his other kid was already there and going to the Appointment with you, I can see how he (as a man) (NO Offense Chicken Hauler) probably isnt thinking of what a hassel it is to take a bunch of kids to the doctor's office!

But, I think you did the right thing.

Another thing is I do take their son & my two older sons to school & my car is not equipped to handle six kids unless one sits up front & I will NOT do that b/c of the air bag issue. At the point he had called me I was already locked into driving the kids to school-I normally drive them on MWF & the bus drives by our home about 7:55; if she had been there at the time he planned on coming I wouldn't be able to safely IMO transport them to school.

[originalkat]

Oh, well then that seals the deal.You really did not have a choice. You needed to be able to transport the kids safely and could not have done so with his daughter there. He knows now to play closer attention to his daughters preschool schedule and to give you proper notice.

[gbcc]

I think you handled it fine. If you are concerned though, you could just appologize for this morning and explain you would have been happy to take her at the normal time but.. and explain the transportation issue.

I find that many parents think we are robots. They don't know how we do it nor do they care just as long as they don't need to be inconvenienced. Since he is a man, I would assume he was just procrastinating because he figured you would just do it. After all that's what he pays you for! Lol, just kidding, but who knows he may have thought that way.

[kitkat]

You definitely did the right thing! If they needed last minute care for their child because they messed up, then they should be thankful you were able to accommodate them at all. Like Originalkat said, the transportation issue sealed the deal also.

Tuesday I took my 5 year old and 15 month old to the doctor. It was a 2 ring circus. Props to you for taking three of them! Hope your son is feeling better!