How Much Interaction Would You Allow With Parents After Hours?

[Angelwings36]

Lately I have been having a hard time separating the daycare from my personal time. I find that I have clients calling, texting and emailing me so much after hours that I can't find the time to relax and just be away from work. Do you take calls, texts, emails after hours? What about on the weekends? If you don't take calls, texts, emails after hours how do you explain to parents that it's because you need time away from work too?

[bgmeyers]

My dc parents wouldn't communicate with me after hours unless it had to do with attendance or maybe a brief question. I guess I just have that vibe about me that when the work day is over, I have other things to do.

If I were to get a parent that became a pest, I'd just not answer until it was a good time for me.

[Crazy8]

I wouldn't answer unless you think its important (like the parent who NEVER contacts you but does one time). I'd let them leave messages on the machine, etc. I would also be upfront and tell them not to call after hours unless it is important, that you need some time away from the business.

I had one parent who I had to tell if I DON'T call you back then whatever you asked in your message is fine (take the kid the next day, kid going to be out the next day, whatever).
I have had some really self-centered parents in recent years and I found the only way to put a stop to it was to be blunt.

[PitterPatter]

Normally I don't mind a call or text here and there even on weekends and I reply as long as it's brief. If it got to be much I would put a stop to it.

I had a client recently (termed last month) that would text and text and text from work until I replied! Same with calling. She would call the house then the cell then the house then the cell... message and message then text "What are u doing I am calling u!" Like I had no life. This would be during AND after daycare hours. If I didn't reply right away she just nagged until I did!

Once we were out in the yard playing and I forgot the cell inside! (God forbid!) I went in the house just 45 mins later to find 4 messages on my home phone, 3 messages on cell voice mail along with 10 missed calls and 6 texts. All just to ask what she owed for that week!! She was told that morning at drop off! When I asked her why so many texts and why she was irritated she said because I need to be reachable every minute of the day and when I don't reply then that upsets her she doesn't like to be ignored. Even after I gave her many reminders that I will get back to her when I CAN because we DO paint and have other activities! I think some parents have it in mind we dont have anything else to do and others are just rude.

[cheerfuldom]

why are they even calling and texting so much?

[Blackcat31]

My daycare parents know what my business hours are. They call during those hours. If they want to call after hours, they know they will be getting an answering machine. I do not take calls, messages or text outside of my work hours. I can't think of a single reason that they would need to call me outside of regular hours.

[daycare]

When I started years ago I was an open book and would allow for them to call whenever. Then one weekend I was at a family funeral. I had a current client call me almost 15 times, because they were out of diapers and wanted to come to my house to get the diapers that they had there. Guess they were out of money or something.......UGH

After that mess was over, I said NO MORE! I don't mind if they text or email me, because if I don't want to read it I don't have to, same as email. If they call, I let it go to voicemail. I don't work nights or weekends and I only read and respond if I want, however, most of the time I won't.

Most of my parents now never call me unless it's something really important now. I think they get the hint when I don’t answer the phone after hours and weekends....

My advice to you is to follow this. Don’t be available and you won't have these issues.

[Google Apps for Day Care]

Communication Policy

You summed it up perfectly when you said you need your rest so you can be at your best for the kids. Explaining this to parents should make complete sense to them. However, to make the parents feel that their needs are met, consider explaining the specific times you are available for them by phone and how you handle email. That is, you read email throughout the day, but only respond in the evening or whatever your policy is.

We use some great online tools and prefer communication to be handled electronically whenever possible as it keeps a record of dialog, tends to limit rambling, and perhaps most important, it puts us more in control - our email policy is that all emails are responded to within 24 hours. We post phone availability in some of our documents and agreements so that this is understood upfront.

Once you set up your communication policies and make them know, your work time and downtime should both be better. On a lighter note, remember that one of the best features on your phone is the on/off switch.

[MarinaVanessa]

I wouldn't answer unless you think its important (like the parent who NEVER contacts you but does one time). I'd let them leave messages on the machine, etc.

Yes this. If you are having trouble with DC families interupting your family time/free time then the first thing you have to do is be ok with the idea that you don't have to respond quickly. Screen your calls, emails and texts and don't go reading or listening to the whole message right away. Just make a mental note that you have to check the message and return the call, text, email etc later. Eventually they will get the message that you are on your own personal time and that you will get to their question etc. when you get a chance.

I have a smart phone so that I can screen all of my calls, e-mails and texts. I make it a point to just check to see who it is from first. If it's personal then I take the call etc and if it's a DC parent then I make it a point to get back to them after 6pm. This works for me because telling myself that there is no rush actually de-stresses me and I don't have it bothering me for the rest of the day. I've had DC parents text me or call me sometimes and because I didn't answer back right away keep calling back or texting again and again. I also don't let this bother me and treat it as if I only received one call or text. I get to you when I get to you and calling again and again is not not going to make me call you back faster. In fact, I may just call you back last ::.

[Ariana]

I have it written in my contract that calls are for emergencies only (ie: informing me a kid won't be there due to sickness type thing). All other contact is through e-mail and I get back to them when I find the time (also stated in my contract).

[laundrymom]

I respond if it is needed, ex: did they eat or poo or did I leave my glasses ( i have a mom who wears bifocals at work but prescription sun to drive, she is forever forgetting her work glasses here ) there. But as a routine I answer any non emergency texts or calls when I open Monday morning at my convenience, usually around 415 am. Which they know because it's in their contract. It usually takes only once or twice for them to figure out I REALLY DO RETURN CALLS, &TEXTS at 4am.

[wdmmom]

I tell parents that I don't and won't take calls after hours. I do allow text messages and emails regarding absences. If it pertains to anything other than that, they can leave a message telling me what I need to know.

[MsMe]

It is rare that I get a call or a tex from a family after hours. Any time I have it has been short to the point and a valid reason for calling.

p.s. the last daycare call I recived on the weekend was a DCM calling at 9:30 on a Sat to tell me how much she appreciates the care I give her two children. She had been out and about and one did somethign I had taught him and she felt the need to call and tell me all about how much she loved my care. I would say 80% of the call I have gotten over the years have been possitive.


IF I ever did have a parent call or text too much I would have no trouble telling them to cool it.

[TBird]

I have call hours in my contract. The policy covers week days and weekend hours. NEVER to include anything after 9PM.

[Crazy8]

another thing I forgot to mention, I do have it in my handbook that there are times during daycare hours that I will utilize an answering machine and to please leave a message and I will call when I am free. If I am changing or feeding a baby or painting, or any other activity where I can't free up my hands I'm not going to go crazy trying to run for the phone.