WHY Do Parents Always Try To Change Things?!

[littlemommy]

I started a new family with odd hours. I chose a flat weekly rate for 0-30 hours, and an hourly charge after that. Mom and dad are divorced, and are splitting daycare cost in half.

The parents were both okay with the fee. This is my second week into it and the mom is asking me if I will sign up for the subsidy program for the state to pay her half. First of all, I've had problems with that program in the past. Second of all, the state would only pay a small fee hourly, and it would not look at the higher fee I am charging them for the 4am days.

UGH. I asked the dad last week if she could pay him (he does pick ups and drop offs) so I don't have to chase her down every week. He said they tried that at the last daycare and she never paid him back. Hmmm..

[daycare]

sounds like they need to go to court and have it in writing who is responsible for what....

I would not change your policy for this family. Make it loud and clear you don't accept state pay.

[MommyMuffin]

I would say whatever subsidy doesnt pay she must and have a strict day and time cut off the week before care to be paid. That way there is a deadline for mom and you are paid in FULL prior to caring for the child.

I would just be strict and let them figure out the rest.

[cheerfuldom]

No deals, period. Sounds like a problem waiting for a nice innocent provider to take advantage of. I hope you are getting paid in advance

[littlemommy]

No deals, period. Sounds like a problem waiting for a nice innocent provider to take advantage of. I hope you are getting paid in advance

I don't charge anyone in advance, unless they have problems with checks bouncing (which I've never had.) She just dropped off payment in cash for this week.
I explained to her that I have tried to do the subsidy program before and have had too many problems. she said she's fine paying me, but they just told her to ask because she goes through them for other help. She said she doesn't know anything about it since she hasn't done it before.
I know if she has problems paying the dad would be happy to pay. Last week he asked if she had paid yet, I said no, and he whipped out the cash to pay me for her. I don't know if they have a court agreement about daycare payment, but if I have problems I'm going to talk to the dad about paying me in full and they can figure it out.

[SandeeAR]

Only way I would have that family is, Paid in advance from ONE parent. Make them work it out. If you don't, in a couple of months you are going to be on here asking how to get your money from them, b/c they are behind.

[Unregistered]

One option would be to have one parent pay. The other option would be to have a contract with each parent. They each pay what "they" owe. One parent doesn't pay, that parent doesn't have care.

Personally though, a divorced couple's issues are not my issues. I sign ONE contract - they can figure it out between them. Either I get paid, or their child doesn't have care.