Annoyed With Hypocondriac Parents!

[CdnMumof4]

I've got a new child coming part time to daycare, and it seems he's spent more time in alternate care, than here, according to our contracted days. If even one kid has a sniffle here at daycare, mums keeping him home. Today was ridiculous- he came down with a diaper rash they couldn't get rid of- so I suggested they take him in, as it may be a yeast infection. Well yep, it is a yeast infection- so we all know that it's only going to get better, with the meds [and continuous, proper diaper changes]. She came to pick him up yesterday, and yes the rash had gotten pretty icky but I was caring for it as she requested with her cloths and frequent changes [go figure, the kid poops like 4 times ] well he had pooped during nap time, so I went in to get him and she came to pick him up- I said " let me just change him quickly before you guys go, so he doesn't sit in poop for any longer" . " no no, I'l lchange him at home it's ok" . Today she calls and says " how long was he napping, his rash was REALLY bad last night and he's very upset. he's going to stay with my mom today"

....come on...a diaper rash is keeping your kid from daycare!?? I am very diligent about changing diapers and very thorough about cleaning their areas too- we've never had any issues with rash or even redness , except if the kid comes down with a yeast infection [my full timer recently had a yeast infection but only lasted a day once was given his meds] It irritates me, that the tone of her voice was suggesting the rash was my fault and that I wasn't caring for her son as I should be. I cannot be expected to sit outside the nap room [which is upstairs] and wait for the kids to poop. Everyone else in this house wakes if they soil, but he slept - I will only wake a sleeping baby if I smell vomit or diarhea.

uugh. sorry- venting.

[nannyde]

Do they just pay as he attends? Do they get free if they don't come?

NEVER allow a parent a choice to change a poopy or wet diaper before leaving. Always DO it.

Send them home the same way you want them to arrive.

[CdnMumof4]

he arrives sopping wet.
They pay when he's not attending, so they're not getting any deals when he's not here. They whined about not paying for 3 days and I allowed it[stupidly] and said it will NEVER happen again, if they chose to keep him home when I am open for business, they are responsible for the day's payment. I am paid in advance so it's not really an issue. Their kid brought the flu into our home, so it went through everyone. I finally got hit with it, for just a day-so I took half a day to recover. I was feeling completely better by the next day. They call and say their pediatrician advised them to keep him out of daycare for 5 days from when my symptoms started, so they didn't want to pay for those days since it was due to my illness. COME ON. I said , it's easy when our child first starts daycare to assume when they are sick they picked it up at daycare, but we must ask ourselves if anyone in our own home/family has been ill recently [because YOU gave us this flu lady!!!!!] . I always expect the group to get a little bug when a new kid starts , but its usually a little sniffle while their systems adjust to the exposure

[momofboys]

Originally Posted by CdnMumof4

he arrives sopping wet.
They pay when he's not attending, so they're not getting any deals when he's not here. They whined about not paying for 3 days and I allowed it[stupidly] and said it will NEVER happen again, if they chose to keep him home when I am open for business, they are responsible for the day's payment. I am paid in advance so it's not really an issue. Their kid brought the flu into our home, so it went through everyone. I finally got hit with it, for just a day-so I took half a day to recover. I was feeling completely better by the next day. They call and say their pediatrician advised them to keep him out of daycare for 5 days from when my symptoms started, so they didn't want to pay for those days since it was due to my illness. COME ON. I said , it's easy when our child first starts daycare to assume when they are sick they picked it up at daycare, but we must ask ourselves if anyone in our own home/family has been ill recently [because YOU gave us this flu lady!!!!!] . I always expect the group to get a little bug when a new kid starts , but its usually a little sniffle while their systems adjust to the exposure

Since you did not close for your own illness which you say only had you down for 1/2 day you were still open for business. I would have still required payment. Not your problem that they chose to keep their child out of care for 5 days. Frustrating!

[Symphony]

I hear you on the frustration of parents not wanting to pay when their kids are out. That is hard. To be honest though, I don't understand the rest of what you are upset about. I think most of us spend our hours wishing parents would keep their sick kids home or quit trying to hide symptoms from us. I know I have looked at a child many times who is not sick enough to be sent home, but really would do much better just cuddling with mom for the day. We have so many parents these days that drop off their kids the second they can and don't return til they absolutely have to. I find it hard to complain about a parent who wants to spend time with their child, especially when the baby isn't 100%

[jen]

Originally Posted by nannyde

Do they just pay as he attends? Do they get free if they don't come?

NEVER allow a parent a choice to change a poopy or wet diaper before leaving. Always DO it.
Send them home the same way you want them to arrive.

This EXACTLY!

[MamaBear]

I love when they keep them home when sick... I dont like that they are sick - but appreciate that they are thoughtful enough to keep them home. Also is a nice gift of having one less child to look after for the day As long as they are still paying, then its all good with me

[nannyde]

Originally Posted by CdnMumof4

he arrives sopping wet.
They pay when he's not attending, so they're not getting any deals when he's not here. They whined about not paying for 3 days and I allowed it[stupidly] and said it will NEVER happen again, if they chose to keep him home when I am open for business, they are responsible for the day's payment. I am paid in advance so it's not really an issue. Their kid brought the flu into our home, so it went through everyone. I finally got hit with it, for just a day-so I took half a day to recover. I was feeling completely better by the next day. They call and say their pediatrician advised them to keep him out of daycare for 5 days from when my symptoms started, so they didn't want to pay for those days since it was due to my illness. COME ON. I said , it's easy when our child first starts daycare to assume when they are sick they picked it up at daycare, but we must ask ourselves if anyone in our own home/family has been ill recently [because YOU gave us this flu lady!!!!!] . I always expect the group to get a little bug when a new kid starts , but its usually a little sniffle while their systems adjust to the exposure

Okay so this is about money. They want to use your illness as a reason to not pay for a week that they obviously have covered.

I would tell them that payment is due whenever your business is open and that there will be many times when children or adults will be around their child after being ill. You can't have parents removing their child without payment whenever someone has been ill previously. If you did that you wouldn't be able to continue to do care.

You don't object to their pediatricians advice. They are welcome to keep him out at any time any child or adult has been ill the day or days previous but they must pay regardless of attendance when the business is open.

I will give them one thing.... this is a very creative way to try to not pay day care when you have their care covered. I haven't heard this one before.

[CdnMumof4]

I definitely appreciate when parents keep their sick children home from daycare- becuase if they show up ill, they get sent home anyway. [well, as others have said- when they are sick 'enough' to go home that is]. This goes beyond that though- staying home for a diaper rash seems a little bit extreme to me, and it's preventing the little man from fully adjusting to the world of daycare- THAT is my problem. With him spending more time home than at daycare, it means that every time he does come, it's as if I'm transitioning a new child, every single time. When he's here for his consistent 3 days of the week though, he's fine but when they break it up and he's only here one of the 3, it's hard on the little man.

I told them after that particular incident that never again will I allow them to not pay for care, unless I physically close my doors and don't take any children in because I am ill. Frustrating, but I allowed it the once because they're a new family and I felt like being kind- until I realized what they're actually like. ;-)

a lighter load of children is always nice, but we have a lot of fun when our group is here in full- my programming is better because we can time everything properly and things just seem to run more smoothly when everyone is here when they're supposed to be.

Originally Posted by nannyde

Okay so this is about money. They want to use your illness as a reason to not pay for a week that they obviously have covered.

I would tell them that payment is due whenever your business is open and that there will be many times when children or adults will be around their child after being ill. You can't have parents removing their child without payment whenever someone has been ill previously. If you did that you wouldn't be able to continue to do care.

You don't object to their pediatricians advice. They are welcome to keep him out at any time any child or adult has been ill the day or days previous but they must pay regardless of attendance when the business is open.

I will give them one thing.... this is a very creative way to try to not pay day care when you have their care covered. I haven't heard this one before.

Its not about money - she has handled this. Its about being blamed for the rash. Its fine for a parent to keep a kid home - even if its just for fun. They pay for the spot no matter what - already resolved after the flu.

Document changes with a signed sheet - time and type. Offer to send home the soiled dipes with her, switch to cloth or whatever it takes to make sure she KNOWS you are doing your job. 4 poops on yeast meds totally normal, good for mommy to handle, too.

Enjoy the time off

[PitterPatter]

Originally Posted by MamaBear

I love when they keep them home when sick... I dont like that they are sick - but appreciate that they are thoughtful enough to keep them home. Also is a nice gift of having one less child to look after for the day As long as they are still paying, then its all good with me

ITA! Too many parents mask the fevers and such and shove them off on us to deal with. I had a snotty nose/sneezing child all week who eventually sneezed right into my mouth when I was down on the floor talking to him. Now I am sick, I caught his allergies!

I wouldn't like a hypocondriac parent tho because if they miss too much they fall behind our routine/schedule. PLUS I don't get paid unless they are here.

[CdnMumof4]

This isn't about money and never was- it's all about being blamed for a rash, that was caused from within, not from a soiled diaper.

I use cloth diapers on my little ones because they react to disposable diapers and wipes- and I always offer to use the cloth wipes [sterilized and properly prepared] on my daycare kids bums. It's actually cleared a lot of their skin up and the parents are thrilled with this.

But ya- I guess mum was able to see what the poops were like while on the meds [though, he stayed with grandma] but maybe she'll see that the rash will be the rash, until the meds clear it up. It's not as simple as a diaper rash that can be dried /aired/cured.

[Qpmomma]

This isn't about you. It's about her. She mad a bad decision npt to change her baby and now needs someone to blame for it.

It's odd to me that she is so concerned with keeping her baby healthy but she doesn't change a soiled diaper for the ride home KNOWING the baby has a rash. :/

[CdnMumof4]

I even had him on the change table [which I have positioned right near the front door for quick and easy changes] and she insisted she take him home and not bother me for another diaper change.

ugh. just annoying since I've only had rave reviews and extremely happy parents , for years, and I don't like people - especiallya new parent of children I'm caring for, suggest or heck even THINK I would neglect their child's welbeing and leave them in a soiled diaper too long.

I'm wondering how often the parents and you are changing? I know mine had bad probs with diaper rash, but only during the week at daycare which is how we knew from day one that it was daycare's fault. It would clear up on the weekends when home with us. After interviewing provider on how diaper changes were completed each time (combined with information from the Pediatrician), I found out that the provider wasn't doing diaper changes correctly.

They were changing diapers only every 2 hours regardless unless it was a stinky poop diaper or a leaky diaper. So our child was left in a full pee diaper regularly, which explained the rampant diaper rashes - and those rashes hurt bad and the kids are very cranky the entire time until it heals. Also found out that the provider wasn't letting the private area completely dry after using wipes before putting desitin on and wasn't putting enough desitin on during each change. Those were the 2 biggest factors according to our pediatrician. I found it horrible that our provider couldn't see that from day one - we already knew that before going to dr. but they needed the doctor to tell them that. It was diaper changing 101!

[SilverSabre25]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I'm wondering how often the parents and you are changing? I know mine had bad probs with diaper rash, but only during the week at daycare which is how we knew from day one that it was daycare's fault. It would clear up on the weekends when home with us. After interviewing provider on how diaper changes were completed each time (combined with information from the Pediatrician), I found out that the provider wasn't doing diaper changes correctly.

They were changing diapers only every 2 hours regardless unless it was a stinky poop diaper or a leaky diaper. So our child was left in a full pee diaper regularly, which explained the rampant diaper rashes - and those rashes hurt bad and the kids are very cranky the entire time until it heals. Also found out that the provider wasn't letting the private area completely dry after using wipes before putting desitin on and wasn't putting enough desitin on during each change. Those were the 2 biggest factors according to our pediatrician. I found it horrible that our provider couldn't see that from day one - we already knew that before going to dr. but they needed the doctor to tell them that. It was diaper changing 101!

Sooo...here's a question for ya...how often was the provider "supposed" to be changing the diaper?

[nannyde]

Originally Posted by CdnMumof4

This isn't about money and never was- it's all about being blamed for a rash, that was caused from within, not from a soiled diaper.

If you would have refused to give her the week off without pay you would have seen very quickly that it was all about money.

The tactic is to attach the absence to you (you exacerbated the rash by not changing at X time or X intervals) so that she could have the money for the week pay and not you.

It's the same thing as parents saying that they want a free week off or days off because the child must have caught *** at day care. Exact same game. If the something isn't contagious go to Plan B: attach it to the providers care.

She had to go to plan B but it worked.

[CdnMumof4]

So hypocondriact parents are no longer a concern- they just withdrew their kid from my care, starting immediately. Mum is due with another baby any day now and grandma [who watched kid previously] told them Friday, apparently, that she wants to watch new baby and this guy since she'll be at their house with the new baby anyway.

GREAT. I'm so friggen mad it's unreal. They essentially used me for a little vacation time for grandma. I turned away a daycare kid who had interviewed with us and everything sounded great but this little man's fam was able to commit quickly, as opposed to "not sure what is happening with my back to work start date" - so I took this kid, and told the other inquiry that the spot had been filled. I emailed them back tonight saying that the kid didn't work out so if they still needed a space there is one available...

I'm so beyond frustrated right now- and all I want to do is swear. [and I don't swear! lol ]

[CdnMumof4]

also on diaper changes- I change diapers before every nap [so around 9:30am or 10am depending, and again at 1:30pm , as scheduled changes]. BUT I also check diapers after naps and if they are wet they are changed, and if I smell poop they are changed. Sometimes they get a new diaper every hour if they aren't feeling super great...but I'm not changing a diaper that's hardly wet, just to say that I changed a diaper one extra time in the day. I also use cloth wipes, not disposable ones and I don't let the area "dry" before putting on another diaper- I have been peed on before, with letting the diaper stay off for too long. I don't air out my kids after wiping them either..we've never had any issues.

[nannyde]

Originally Posted by CdnMumof4

also on diaper changes- I change diapers before every nap [so around 9:30am or 10am depending, and again at 1:30pm , as scheduled changes]. BUT I also check diapers after naps and if they are wet they are changed, and if I smell poop they are changed. Sometimes they get a new diaper every hour if they aren't feeling super great...but I'm not changing a diaper that's hardly wet, just to say that I changed a diaper one extra time in the day. I also use cloth wipes, not disposable ones and I don't let the area "dry" before putting on another diaper- I have been peed on before, with letting the diaper stay off for too long. I don't air out my kids after wiping them either..we've never had any issues.

but I'm not changing a diaper that's hardly wet, just to say that I changed a diaper one extra time in the day.

We change them after nap no matter what. If they pee even a little at the top of nap time the urine can be on them for 3 hours by the time we get everyone up and changed. I wouldn't want to sit in something barely wet for that long.

[Cat Herder]

This is straight from our training:

Diaper dermatitis occurs frequently in diapered children. Diapering practices that reduce the frequency and severity of diaper dermatitis will require less application of skin creams, ointments, and drug treatments, thereby decreasing the likelihood for fecal contamination of caregivers' hands. Most common diaper dermatitis represents an irritant contact dermatitis; the source of irritation is prolonged contact of the skin with urine, feces, or both (11). The action of fecal digestive enzymes on urinary urea and the resulting production of ammonia make the diapered area more alkaline, which has been shown to damage skin (11, 12).

Damaged skin is more susceptible to other biological, chemical, and physical insults that can cause or aggravate diaper dermatitis (11). Frequency and severity of diaper dermatitis are lower when diapers are changed more often, regardless of the diaper used (11). The use of modern disposable diapers with absorbent gelling material or carboxymethyl cellulose has been associated with less frequent and severe diaper dermatitis in some children than with the use of cloth diapers and pull-on pants made of a waterproof material.

Reusable cloth diapers worn either without a covering or with pull-on pants made of waterproof material do not meet the physical requirements of the standard and are not recommended in facilities.

Modern disposable diapers can be checked for wetness by feeling the diaper through the clothing and fecal contents can be assessed by smell. Nonetheless, since these methods of checking may be inaccurate, the diaper should be opened and checked visually at least every two hours. Even though modern disposable diapers can continue to absorb moisture for an extended period of time when they are wet, they should be changed after two hours of wearing if they are not found to be wet. This prevents rubbing of wet surfaces against the skin, a major cause of diaper dermatitis.

[CdnMumof4]

if they are wet, I change them. I hvae kids wake up from nap time with a dry diaper- I don't change a diaper after nap, that is dry, because I need to add another diaper to my chart saying it's been changed. That's wasteful and unneccessary in my opinion.

of course if they're wet I will take it off them I don't want any rashes or uncomfort.

[PitterPatter]

Originally Posted by CdnMumof4

if they are wet, I change them. I hvae kids wake up from nap time with a dry diaper- I don't change a diaper after nap, that is dry, because I need to add another diaper to my chart saying it's been changed. That's wasteful and unneccessary in my opinion.

of course if they're wet I will take it off them I don't want any rashes or uncomfort.

Ditto same routine here! Parents complain enough about buying diapers and push the potty training so if the diaper is dry it stays on.

In the past we have had a potty training child in dry diaper all day and by afternoon it's becoming a little worn from the off on and all day wear. I will replace it so they have a fresh comfy diaper for the evening.

[countrymom]

Originally Posted by CdnMumof4

if they are wet, I change them. I hvae kids wake up from nap time with a dry diaper- I don't change a diaper after nap, that is dry, because I need to add another diaper to my chart saying it's been changed. That's wasteful and unneccessary in my opinion.

of course if they're wet I will take it off them I don't want any rashes or uncomfort.

I do the same thing and the older they get the less they pee.

[countrymom]

Originally Posted by CdnMumof4

So hypocondriact parents are no longer a concern- they just withdrew their kid from my care, starting immediately. Mum is due with another baby any day now and grandma [who watched kid previously] told them Friday, apparently, that she wants to watch new baby and this guy since she'll be at their house with the new baby anyway.

GREAT. I'm so friggen mad it's unreal. They essentially used me for a little vacation time for grandma. I turned away a daycare kid who had interviewed with us and everything sounded great but this little man's fam was able to commit quickly, as opposed to "not sure what is happening with my back to work start date" - so I took this kid, and told the other inquiry that the spot had been filled. I emailed them back tonight saying that the kid didn't work out so if they still needed a space there is one available...

I'm so beyond frustrated right now- and all I want to do is swear. [and I don't swear! lol ]

I've had this happen too, heck I have one right now like this, gma watches the boy and i have the sister because she goes to school out here. But the boy was here too but gma needed a break for a bit (which I didn't know when they signed on) and back he went to her, which I took a big cut in pay. I was not impressed. So the crazy parents were basically using you.

Originally Posted by SilverSabre25

Sooo...here's a question for ya...how often was the provider "supposed" to be changing the diaper?

Our state regs say promptly, which means as soon as its soiled. They were only changing diaper wearers every 2 hours, sooner if it leaked or it was a stinky poo diaper, which was the daycare policy. I was told that they didn't change more frequently because they'd be changing diapers all day and didn't have time to do so. It's a medical fact that kids that sit in soiled diapers are more prone to diaper rashes, which is why soiled diapers should be changed immediately.

[CdnMumof4]

well if a provider is knowingly leaving a child in a soiled diaper for extended periods of time...then that is a different story.

Though I've had a little one poop while sitting in the highchair eating lunch- and I don't interrupt their lunch to change [and it's been my own little bean at times as well] because if I interrupt their lunch, change their diaper and bring themback to the table- they won't finish their lunch, as their attention spans are so limited [my daycare kidlets are in the 17-18 month age range]. The walk to the change table would mean they'd spot a toy they suddently HAD to play with..and lunch would be a distant memory.

But if we're about to sit down for story time and I can smell a rank diaper- not only do I want to change it immediately for my own selfish sanity [har har] but ya, for sure it's just a no-brainer.