How Much Interaction Would You Allow With Parents After Hours?

[PitterPatter]

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.

Wow have u ever had a call after hours?
I have had calls like this for a 2 yr old... "Oh I left the daily report in my car and want to know what Johnny had for lunch, how long was his nap and how many bowel movements did he make?" Lazy butt go to the car and get it! I didn't say it tho. That happened a lot with 1 particular client and when I changed the new years contract and included the stopping written daily reports, due to having to verbally report it anyway, she got smart and said "I don't know if it's that u cant afford the pen and paper or that u are just too lazy to write it out but I want the daily reports back!" She's GONE!

Another would text on the weekend and say she needs pics resent she accidentally deleted them. Happened quite a few times.

Now I get on Friday evenings this, "I know I have to ask before Wednesday but I keep forgetting, can u watch the kids on Saturday?" First few times I said yes but this past Friday it was No sorry I made plans. Then she comes in today and complains that she had to call off because she didnt have a babysitter and she may lose her job or just quit if they start on her.

I kind of regret giving my cell phone number out because I can't dodge anything. I have my cell on me 99% of the time. I just worried because I take the kids on little trips around town and some parents get done early and need to reach me. Plus it's how I send pictures of our activities.

[Hunni Bee]

I just don't answer. From 7 pm to 8 am...my phone does not answer daycare calls or texts, unless I knew ahead of time that I was gong to hear from a certain parent, or if there's an emergency situation (like the center having to be closed, etc). I may respond to a text depending on how important it is.


But I had a parent call me at 7:12 this morning and I let it ring. You have to draw the line somewhere.

I recently told the teacher who usually handles the phone to take messages. A parent (the same one) calls and harasses me daily about why aren't we going on more field trips (her child is 3) and other ridiculous things. It's like they expect us to be available to them and their child and all the other children simultaneously all day. But if they were to walk in and see you on the phone (with someone else), they would have a problem with that too.

[PitterPatter]

I just don't answer. From 7 pm to 8 am...my phone does not answer daycare calls or texts, unless I knew ahead of time that I was gong to hear from a certain parent, or if there's an emergency situation (like the center having to be closed, etc).

But I had a parent call me at 7:12 this morning and I let it ring. You have to draw the line somewhere.

I tried that let it ring... what do u do when they just keep calling or texting etc.

[daycare]

I tried that let it ring... what do u do when they just keep calling or texting etc.

Turn the phone off. They get it when it goes directly to vm

[Hunni Bee]

I tried that let it ring... what do u do when they just keep calling or texting etc.

Or hit ignore. The person on the other end can tell when you press ignore, because it sends them to voicemail in the middle of a ring. They'll get the message. And if they ask why, just tell them you were driving.

You shouldn't have to turn your phone off (and miss other calls) because daycare parents are harassing you.

[sahm1225]

I must be lucky because my parents respect my non-daycare hours and if they call AFTER hours it's rare and a super quick phone call...

I would recommend posting your daycare hours and making a note about how any daycare phone calls will be returned during daycare hours only. I'm not sure what they are calling you about that is so important, but can't you just say you are in the middle of something? Or if you have little ones, it's not hard to get a little one to act out in the middle of the phone call (my little ones ALWAYS try and get my attention when I am on the phone, so that wouldn't be hard for me!)

You have to draw the line and let them know that you need non-daycare hours to regroup.
good lucK!

[daycare]

Ask the repeat offender if they would answer the phone every time their work called? Would thEy like it if their boss called them at home after hours to ask questions, not saying they are our boss but basically this is all I could compare it too... Lol

[Country Kids]

Ask the repeat offender if they would answer the phone every time their work called? Would thEy like it if their boss called them at home after hours to ask questions, not saying they are our boss but basically this is all I could compare it too... Lol

My husband was in management at a large company. Yes, he received lots of phone calls, emails, texts on his off times. He had to deal with each and everyone of them because it was job related. Rarely did he see it as a headache but as job security. There were many times I would hear his phone going off in the middle of the night and a worker have a question. One time we were going down the road and his upper boss called and I had to take the question and play secretary because my husband was driving (on our way out of state for a family wedding) but his boss had a question and it needed answered. So I guess its all how you look at it. Good thing doctors don't only take calls during office hours.

I don't get phone calls or texts just to chitchat. If my parents get ahold of me it is with some sort of question that they may have thought of or if something came up after they were here. No big deal to me, just part of the business.