Update On "Payment Drama" - When To Cut Her Off?

[MG&Lsmom]

I posted 2 weeks ago about my DCM and all her drama over finances and her ability/inability to pay for services.

Today at drop off she informs me that payment will not be on Friday, for services last week and this week, but Monday or Wed of next week. Baby daddy is still withholding money, no gas, has to leave work for DR appt for a hurt back, etc......

I need to cut her off, but when? I have no specific clause in my contract regarding 'no pay no play', only that payments are due Friday for the next week's care. Obviously something that will be changing.

[SilverSabre25]

I think it would be entirely appropriate to tell her, "I'm sorry, but you are now two weeks behind in paying me. If you don't have the money on Friday, I cannot accept dck into care until I've been paid."

NOW would be the point to cut her off...if she hasn't paid you yet, she's probably not going to...

[cheerfuldom]

cut her off now. It doesn't matter if you don't have it spelled out in the contract. she hasn't paid for services already rendered, its common sense that you wouldn't then continue to provide more

[sharlan]

Next week she will owe you for 3 weeks.

What are your chances of replacing this child?

[MG&Lsmom]

Right now he's my only consistent kid. I've got 2 FT slots open, been open for 2.5 months. Replacing would be hard. But I'm working for free with summer coming and there are things I can do with my own kids I can't do with him around. Not a problem if I'm really working and getting paid.

[dEHmom]

she's stalling. she's getting farther behind as well. She will never be able to pay you back all that she owes. If she is relying on the money from dcd, and he's not paying, there's something going on. I wouldnt' care who pays for it, dcd or dcm, it's MY MONEY and i want it now. Advise her she has till friday to pay up to date, and if she doesn't pay for the next week as well ON FRIDAY, then you will not be providing services, and if her balance is not paid in full by such and such a date, then you will have to proceed with filing.

doesn't matter what their situation is. She owes you money and that's that.

[boysx5]

I alway say the longer you let it go the harder it is to get your money if they can't pay 200 they won't be able to pay when it gets to be 600

[dEHmom]

i understand that you are not wanting to lose this family. but truth is, you are providing FREE daycare. And if you continue to provide FREE daycare, you're not exactly helping yourself out any.

[littlemissmuffet]

I alway say the longer you let it go the harder it is to get your money if they can't pay 200 they won't be able to pay when it gets to be 600

Agreed. Give until tomorrow am to have funds owing in hand - if not, you have to cut ties.

[daycare]

I had a situation years ago like this....never again, but it ened ok.

What I did was demand some form of payment each week. the mom lost her job and was unemployed for a few weeks, so I worked with her on it.

Every week she gave me $50.00. Then when she got her new job, she had to pay me the normal rate plus $50.00 until it was all caught up. I also charged her an additional $10.00 each week until she was caught up.

The only reason I helped her was because she had never been late in the previous 6 months...

But I don't do favors anymore like this. If you can't pay, you can't stay...

[laundrymom]

I would tell her, I'm sorry, I understand how that makes things hard but yor account is seriously behind. I need 1/2 the full balance in cash by Friday. The rest you can pay Wednesday. Late fees will be added until your account is current. I have bills due and need income to keep my bills current. I am tired of borrowing money from my family to make my bills. Then do the stare. "

[Live and Learn]

Cut her off now and change your policy to payment before playing.....

Then enforce it.

You will never allow yourself to be in this situation again if you enforce a good rule.

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

I have had 2 parents do this to me aswell, same excuses, and I have never seen a dime. I would terminate care until she pays the full amount. You may never see her again.

[MG&Lsmom]

DCB has only been coming 2-3 days a week and at the moment she owes me for 3 days (one from last week, 2 from this week). She owes me $75, so really not that far behind monetarily. But it's the principle of her being behind, canceling at the last minute because her hours got cut for the day and that I can't count on her any more. If she's not caught up by Wed I'm not letting her in. Now help me stay strong!

[Kaddidle Care]

She needs to give you SOMETHING at her next drop off, even if it's $25.00. You can work with her but you can't work for free either.