Someone Help Me Get the Guts!!

[AnythingsPossible]

I would tell her that if there are any further issues with late payment, she will need to provide payment on Monday of the week, rather then Friday. If payment isn't received, care will not be given. I foresee her leaving you without payment at some point in time.

[momma2girls]

Okay, my one family was late on payment again this week. I've been letting her pay on Fridays after care is done.

Well she sends her boyfriend to pick up and then OH he doesn't have the money. I told him that I needed the money that night or I would have to charge my late fee and I'd hate for her to have to pay for something like that. And he said he understood.

I then texted her and said that I needed the money by 8:30 that night (that was when my last kid was leaving for the day) or I would have to charge $10 per day.

Fastward to Sunday morning...still no payment so I called her and she said she was sick in the bathroom all weekend and her older boy had her phone so she just got my message that morning. But she would try to run the money over.

2 hours later she called and said the money was in my box. But I had put a new contract in the box for her to sign (I didn't tell her that because I thought of it after I got off the phone with her, but there was a letter on the top that said her name on it and there was no way to miss it in my box.)

She said she didn't drop it off she had someone else do it for her. So I'm redoing the letter on the contract to her.

I need to guts to tell her that she owes me the late fee! I really don't want to make her made and leave, but at the same time I don't want her walking all over me.

I don't charge her that much and I pick up her son at the school at 11:00. So I know she won't find someone else to do it for this price. But she'll just do it herself and kept him at home while she sleeps during the day, which I know she shouldn't be doing, but she will.

Should I let it slide as her warning that I'm going to do it next time? Please help!!

I would definately charge her for all of the late fees!! I know when i first started and actually up to about 3 yrs. ago, I let things slide and boy did I learn the hard way!!! People that use and abuse you will always use and abuse, and when another family sees the other ones get away with it, they will also!! Trust me, been there many times myself!!!! I have been putting my foot down for about 3 yrs. now, and let me tell you it's the best thing I could have done!!! I am always tweaking my contract up for the next yr. or for new ones that interview. BE strong, you can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Persephone]

I would tell her that if there are any further issues with late payment, she will need to provide payment on Monday of the week, rather then Friday. If payment isn't received, care will not be given. I foresee her leaving you without payment at some point in time.

I plan on telling her that if there are any more issues it will be payment on Mondays.

[safechner]

Good job, Amy! Be strong! That is what I am doing for stand up myself and I won't let anyone take advantage of me anymore.

[Unregistered]

U need to let her go i do not play

okay, my one family was late on payment again this week. I've been letting her pay on fridays after care is done.

Well she sends her boyfriend to pick up and then oh he doesn't have the money. I told him that i needed the money that night or i would have to charge my late fee and i'd hate for her to have to pay for something like that. And he said he understood.

I then texted her and said that i needed the money by 8:30 that night (that was when my last kid was leaving for the day) or i would have to charge $10 per day.

Fastward to sunday morning...still no payment so i called her and she said she was sick in the bathroom all weekend and her older boy had her phone so she just got my message that morning. But she would try to run the money over.

2 hours later she called and said the money was in my box. But i had put a new contract in the box for her to sign (i didn't tell her that because i thought of it after i got off the phone with her, but there was a letter on the top that said her name on it and there was no way to miss it in my box.)

she said she didn't drop it off she had someone else do it for her. So i'm redoing the letter on the contract to her.

I need to guts to tell her that she owes me the late fee! I really don't want to make her made and leave, but at the same time i don't want her walking all over me.

I don't charge her that much and i pick up her son at the school at 11:00. So i know she won't find someone else to do it for this price. But she'll just do it herself and kept him at home while she sleeps during the day, which i know she shouldn't be doing, but she will.

Should i let it slide as her warning that i'm going to do it next time? Please help!!

let her go she is taking advantage of u she does not care about ur feelings or ur care let me tell u because if she did she would have ur money for u and would not have so many excuses she is so full of it put it this way is it fair to the other parents and children as well as ur own family for u to be so stressed out over this no it isnt so get the guts up and terminate .

[momofboys]

I plan on telling her that if there are any more issues it will be payment on Mondays.

Good plan! What happened? Did she re-sign your new documents? Did she get mad about the late fees?

[Persephone]

Good plan! What happened? Did she re-sign your new documents? Did she get mad about the late fees?

The boy was not here today, so she won't know until tomorrow.

[My4SunshineGirlsNY]

I love reading this forum because you ladies are going to give me a solid backbone to run my business.

I'm like Persephone...I have a hard time enforcing things like that because the fear of upsetting them and then they go find someplace else to go...and in my town daycare is VERY slow right now with many layoffs at a large company and a lot of people living on one income.

But I guess if I enforce these rules and bring in those that understand, I will be less stressed and have the crew I want. I have 2 great families and hope this new family is the same.

[Fro]

Im sure this isn't new to most of you but thought it might help someone.
I have found that it helps to write out a payment reminder slip when someone owes me late fees, and just hand it to them each day with the updated amount. I keep a copy for myself as well. The slip looks kinda like this:
amount due___________
Due by_____________
For________________
And____________
I total up the amount they owe me, put on ASAP if its due now, write down the dates of care, and any fees added on, and then add things like, must be paid in full by___________ or children will not be accepted back into care. this way I have a paper trail of notices incase it becomes a problem, and I feel somewhat less confrontational.
This also helps for those time when there are several parents here at once, I dont feel comfortable reminding people about money infront of other people, but I can hand them a reminder note.
I also have noticed that things in writing seem more official so I get less argument, and people seem a little more likely to pay it quickly.