So Tired Of Parents

[msmegandc]

I deal with this stuff from parents all the time. I especially find it intereating when, for example rhwre are 2 kids in carw and thwy have to srop one off to take the other one to an appt. Why can't they take both? I am a mom of 3 and since their births have carted them evetywhere!!

[Laurel]

So, I DO wonder how people manage to get their hair cut with say, a 14 month old along...what do you do with your child while you are getting your hair washed? Who is watching your child while your hair is being cut? I don't LIKE watching kids when I could be getting paid to have their parents take care of them, either (really, I would prefer that parents always picked up as soon as they get off work, too!), but more than I hate that, I hate parents who bring their kids to hair salons and other such places and let their kids run around while they have their services performed. Granted, daycare moms usually have the best behaved kids, but still-I would have a hard time believing that anyone could just park their 13, 14, 15 month old on a chair in the waiting room and have them stay there behaving.

Sometimes parents have things to do that are difficult or impossible to do with kids around (sometimes they WANT to do things with no kids around). I understand that. I have a full time kid this week whose mom just lost her job. She told me that she had lots to do at home and asked if I could keep her until she gets caught up.

I think that many of us either don't know or forgot how hard it is to work full time away from home and parent a kid under 5. It's HARD. It's exhausting. Doing daycare, I have VERY little time to attend to my own home, but somehow, I manage to get a load of laundry done here and there, get dinner made before 5PM, etc. Evenings are just for me and my little guy-mom's who work away from home have to squeeze in a day's housework, grocery shopping, doctor's appointments, baths, reading to kids, etc. in just a few hours. I feel for them. As much as I wish they would pick up their kids any chance they have, I understand why they don't...and they are probably able to BETTER care for their kids for the little bit of extra time they have to get things done.

I don't believe they leave their kids with us out of neglect, but out of necessity. And I am GLAD I am not in their shoes.

I agree. Occasionally I get a parent who just wants to not be bothered with their child. Well just once really....she was surprised when I was taking off New Year's Day cause how would she go out and drink and watch her child the next day? But other than that, I agree.

Also, my child care provider friend said she often gets the question "How do you watch so many children?" at interviews. She takes our legal limit which is six. They want to make sure their children won't be lost in the shuffle. She explains to them that just like they are good at their job she has been doing hers for years and has it down to a science. She might say "Well you are an accountant and I don't have a head for math which comes easy to you. It is the same with me and children."

My daughter is a single parent and it is HARD.

Laurel

[Play Care]

So, I DO wonder how people manage to get their hair cut with say, a 14 month old along...what do you do with your child while you are getting your hair washed? Who is watching your child while your hair is being cut? I don't LIKE watching kids when I could be getting paid to have their parents take care of them, either (really, I would prefer that parents always picked up as soon as they get off work, too!), but more than I hate that, I hate parents who bring their kids to hair salons and other such places and let their kids run around while they have their services performed. Granted, daycare moms usually have the best behaved kids, but still-I would have a hard time believing that anyone could just park their 13, 14, 15 month old on a chair in the waiting room and have them stay there behaving.

Sometimes parents have things to do that are difficult or impossible to do with kids around (sometimes they WANT to do things with no kids around). I understand that. I have a full time kid this week whose mom just lost her job. She told me that she had lots to do at home and asked if I could keep her until she gets caught up.

I think that many of us either don't know or forgot how hard it is to work full time away from home and parent a kid under 5. It's HARD. It's exhausting. Doing daycare, I have VERY little time to attend to my own home, but somehow, I manage to get a load of laundry done here and there, get dinner made before 5PM, etc. Evenings are just for me and my little guy-mom's who work away from home have to squeeze in a day's housework, grocery shopping, doctor's appointments, baths, reading to kids, etc. in just a few hours. I feel for them. As much as I wish they would pick up their kids any chance they have, I understand why they don't...and they are probably able to BETTER care for their kids for the little bit of extra time they have to get things done.

I don't believe they leave their kids with us out of neglect, but out of necessity. And I am GLAD I am not in their shoes.

I see both sides. I've said before that I was raised by a SAHM and remember lots of boredom and doing some pretty dangerous things while were unsupervised after being told repeatedly to "go and play" so she could get things done. A few hours of day care probably would have been an better option.
I'll be honest and admit that I HATE when I decide to treat myself to an adult service (like a mani/pedi, not another kind of adult service! ) and someone has their kids there. Eventually the child gets bored and starts acting up. And since I'm with kids almost 60 hours of the week, it's the LAST thing I want to deal with when I manage to get a few hours to myself. My hairdresser doesn't even allow young children IN her salon. And that's one of the reasons I go there!
All that said, if a dc parent typically picks up at 4:30, I think it's reasonable for the provider to make 5:00 plans without feeling they need to tell/justify/explain to the parent.

[lovemykidstoo]

I see both sides. I've said before that I was raised by a SAHM and remember lots of boredom and doing some pretty dangerous things while were unsupervised after being told repeatedly to "go and play" so she could get things done. A few hours of day care probably would have been an better option.
I'll be honest and admit that I HATE when I decide to treat myself to an adult service (like a mani/pedi, not another kind of adult service! ) and someone has their kids there. Eventually the child gets bored and starts acting up. And since I'm with kids almost 60 hours of the week, it's the LAST thing I want to deal with when I manage to get a few hours to myself. My hairdresser doesn't even allow young children IN her salon. And that's one of the reasons I go there!
All that said, if a dc parent typically picks up at 4:30, I think it's reasonable for the provider to make 5:00 plans without feeling they need to tell/justify/explain to the parent.

That's what I thought too. She ended up picking up her son at 4:00. Guess dad couldn't handle taking dcb with him to get a haircut. She was all a mess, said she was all stressed out because she had so much to do for a family wedding this weekend. She was still kinda irritated that she had to pickup at normal time. Get over it.

[Unregistered]

for the record, the lady that does my hair told me last time i was in that she hates when ppl bring their kids in with them!.. an older one is okay..but she hates when they run around destroying things and playing with things that are not theirs..!.. and on the parent side of this, i understand where some of you providers are coming from... i have a son and if i take a day off i USUALLY spend it with him..BUT, as parents we are paying you to watch our kids, so in some cases it shouldn't be questioned what we are doing with the time(doctor appts, errands, etc.)as long as we drop off and pick up no later or earlier than usual...

although i do think a mother could ALTEAST stand to go do the groceries with her kid...that's one of my favorite thinigs to do with my son!

[Heidi]

I can see both sides too, and I think most of us are willing to be reasonable.

In the OP's case, the parent just decided that she would be late, without asking, and dad should be able to get his hair cut with one child along. I've gone with 3 or 4. As a matter of fact, I got one of my daycare clients out of it because the salon ladies were so impressed by my "well behaved kids", they gave my name out.

When my own were little, I'd put them in a stroller, give them a seldom seen toy, maybe break out a lipop. They never, ever got the option of running around in the salon, the grocery store, or a restaurant. Since I never even started that, they never tried.

I take that back; my 2nd one tried once when he was 4 and I thought he could handle it being out of the cart at the home center. I seem to remember that little event ending him with a smack on the rear and back in the cart. Pretty sure he did better next time. Judge me if you must...

I really don't have a problem with parents taking a day to themselves, or asking if they could come late because they have something to do after work. ASK, and if I can accommodate it, I will. If I can't, I'll say no. If it's every week, though, because they can't do a thing with their child in tow, then I'd be rolling my eyes.

[kimmills]

I think you all have to go through a lot while managing and taking care of others' kids. But I would say that you cannot expect all parents to be of the same type and nature to think of the carer's convenience or even remember the rules and regulations of the daycare.

[lovemykidstoo]

I think you all have to go through a lot while managing and taking care of others' kids. But I would say that you cannot expect all parents to be of the same type and nature to think of the carer's convenience or even remember the rules and regulations of the daycare.

Oh I most definately think that the parent should remember all of the rules of the daycare. It's really pretty simple. Show up on time, pickup on time,, pay on time. Those are my 3 basic rules LOL

[lovemykidstoo]

I'm curious as to whether DCD actually picked up on time.

Not sure if you saw this, I posted it below.

She ended up picking up her son at 4:00. Guess dad couldn't handle taking dcb with him to get a haircut. She was all a mess, said she was all stressed out because she had so much to do for a family wedding this weekend. She was still kinda irritated that she had to pickup at normal time. Get over it.

[Blackcat31]

.BUT, as parents we are paying you to watch our kids, so in some cases it shouldn't be questioned what we are doing with the time(doctor appts, errands, etc.)as long as we drop off and pick up no later or earlier than usual...

Um, actually my daycare parents are paying me to watch their child while they are working.

If they need someone to watch their child while doing something else (i.e.doctor appts, errands, etc.) they can hire a babysitter.

[Unregistered]

The salon my family goes to does not allow children under the age of 8. They are very strict on this policy and have it posted on their website, booking site and right as you walk in the door.

It isn't a fancy place but it is peaceful when you go in.

[Unregistered]

Um, actually my daycare parents are paying me to watch their child while they are working.

If they need someone to watch their child while doing something else (i.e.doctor appts, errands, etc.) they can hire a babysitter.

so, what if a parent dropped off the child and you didn't find out until the end of the day that they didn't go to work..or what if you never find out?.... daycare to me is CARE during the DAY...DAYCARE and you are getting paid..as long as it is within reasonable, scheduled, contracted time, i don't think there should be a fuss on either side. would you term a family for dropping off if they weren't going to work?..is it in contract that they have to be going to a job in order to drop off their child? what if they are just a full time student and needed daycare for class and homeowrk time?

[Blackcat31]

so, what if a parent dropped off the child and you didn't find out until the end of the day that they didn't go to work..or what if you never find out?.... daycare to me is CARE during the DAY...DAYCARE and you are getting paid..as long as it is within reasonable, scheduled, contracted time, i don't think there should be a fuss on either side. would you term a family for dropping off if they weren't going to work?..is it in contract that they have to be going to a job in order to drop off their child? what if they are just a full time student and needed daycare for class and homeowrk time?

This is something that is discussed in depth with parents during the interview. They know that part of my philosophy is caring for children means providing care while the parent works.

The parents I enroll value quality face time with their child. I am a professional child care provider NOT a babysitter. My child care families are VERY aware of the difference.

Parents supply me with a work schedule and then contract with me for those times, if they are late they have a fee.

I am not saying I wouldn't make exception but it would be on a very rare occasion and any parent that KNOWING lied or dropped off their child and deliberately withheld from me the fact that they were not at work would be termed immediately.

I totally understand not wanting to bring your child certain places but my reply was basically due to the comment you made about parents paying us, as if that fact alone dictated the right to just expect a provider to care for your child at any time.

I am a child care provider who is in the business of providing care for children while their parent is in school or working.

Hope that makes sense.

[Unregistered]

This is something that is discussed in depth with parents during the interview. They know that part of my philosophy is caring for children means providing care while the parent works.

The parents I enroll value quality face time with their child. I am a professional child care provider NOT a babysitter. My child care families are VERY aware of the difference.

Parents supply me with a work schedule and then contract with me for those times, if they are late they have a fee.

[/B]I am not saying I wouldn't make exception but it would be on a very rare occasion[/B] and any parent that KNOWING lied or dropped off their child and deliberately withheld from me the fact that they were not at work would be termed immediately.

I totally understand not wanting to bring your child certain places but my reply was basically due to the comment you made about parents paying us, as if that fact alone dictated the right to just expect a provider to care for your child at any time.

I am a child care provider who is in the business of providing care for children while their parent is in school or working.

Hope that makes sense.

i guess i agree with that..i don't think it's right, or that DCPs should be okay with it being an everyday thing as well.... just a few months ago i had caught an ugly virus that dehydrated me and made me get a couple IVs for.. it lasted about a week and started on a wednesday night.. i knew it wasn't the best for me to care for my son and i was also too ill to go into work so i stayed home and my son went to daycare...although i never got the daycares thoughts on that... would that not be an acceptable scenario?? (my son at night was being taken care of by my mom so he did not get it or take the virus with him..him nor did any other kids get sick while he was there)

[Play Care]

i guess i agree with that..i don't think it's right, or that DCPs should be okay with it being an everyday thing as well.... just a few months ago i had caught an ugly virus that dehydrated me and made me get a couple IVs for.. it lasted about a week and started on a wednesday night.. i knew it wasn't the best for me to care for my son and i was also too ill to go into work so i stayed home and my son went to daycare...although i never got the daycares thoughts on that... would that not be an acceptable scenario?? (my son at night was being taken care of by my mom so he did not get it or take the virus with him..him nor did any other kids get sick while he was there)

Not Blackcat, but have a similar policy. I've actually told my parents to bring their kids to dc if they (the parent) were very ill. Most don't simply because that would mean having to get up, get kids dressed, and drive over. Easier for everyone to stay in Jammie's and chill by the tv, I guess
When I first started out I had a child become ill while in my care. I called mom at work to come get, only to be told that mom was off because her day care called out sick then I couldn't get a hold of her because wherever she had gone on her day "off" was out of cell range. The measly $30 fee she paid me for that day did NOT even begin to cover the expense for cleaning and sanitizing my carpets, furniture and toys because her child vomited all over everything. When she pulled up, FIVE minutes after closing I met her at the door with her child's things and a term notice effective immediately.

Oh, and I also told her work she lied

My contract states that I provide a service while you are at WORK or attending SCHOOL, and that for any reason you will not be at these places I must be able to get in touch in case of emergency and pick up must be ON TIME.
All my parents have to initial and sign. I always tell them my story before I go over that part