1.5 Hours Late? Help!

[pootmcgoot]

I have been watching a new boy for almost a month. Mom is great, kid is great but horribly spoiled and thrashes when he doesn't get his way (nearly knocked my teeth out a handful of times thrashing when I picked him up). He's also incredibly rough and destructive of toys (mostly my daughters expensive play kitchen and throwing/smashing toys )


Anyways, our contract says 4pm pick up. I told her for 20$ extra weekly that she could extend to 5:30 but she declined when we signed contracts because she is always off of work early.

She picks up between 2:30-4pm daily and it averages out to be at 3:30. Kiddo was out for the first week (after she had paid me and the deposit) with MRSA. She didn't complain at all for having to pay for a week he wasn't there.

She told me last friday that he would not be attending the last week as dad is coming into town early to pick him up. They have a month on/month off custody arrangement. I am not paid on the months he is not here. Anyways, he will not attend that friday and the last week of this month. I told her to just pay for the friday and not to pay for the last week because she was so nice about paying while he was out with MRSA.

I get a text today at 1pm saying she can't pick up til 5:30. She was polite. I told her that I can watch him for the additional 1.5 hours for 15$ (10$ an hour) because I had an interview a 5pm and would have to cancel or push it back and rush to clean after she left. Cleaning to interview standards with her toddler here will be impossible because he is so messy and destructive.

No response back but I am wondering if I am being too rough on her? This is a major inconvenience to me and I have gone out of my way to help her. I could of simply said no, I'm sorry that doesn't work for us tonight. I really hope she doesn't take offense to this but I don't work for FREE! I really do like her, but I just can't keep him for an extra 1.5 hours when I am paid 87.50$ weekly and provide food for him.

Ease the guilt please!

[Truly Scrumptious]

Being too rough!! Wow! you're nicer than I would be. This mom (and the child) would have already been given their notice if they were enrolled in my child care.

[pootmcgoot]

Thanks Truly. I am trying really hard not to be a door mat. He sleeps from 530 am til 8am and then from 11-1/2 so he sleeps a lot while he's here. But this is so inconveniencing! I've had this interview lined up since Friday. If I cancel last minute they probably won't even want to come interview.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

You are not contracted to care for that child from 4:00-5:30. You are charging a normal baby-sitting rate of $10/hour. You aren't even charging for the inconvenience of it being last minute.

I think you are being kind. I hope your interview is able to come a little later.

[jojosmommy]

Do you have a back up person, like your husband or someone who could take him outside sothat you can clean and do the interview?

[pootmcgoot]

I do but it's not my husbands responsibility to watch this child, it's mine. and I am not paying my back up 20$ to watch him for 1.5 hours. 20$ is more than 1 days pay for me.

[Former Teacher]

Don't feel bad.

If you let her slide this time, she will take advantage again and again.

"Give them an inch, they will take a yard"

[texascare]

Your rules your policy. She is inconveniencing you. Stick to your policy.

[abcdaycaremom]

This drives me insane from parents just assuming that you are available and not taking into consideration that you have a life. No can you just this is what's up!

Oh just love it!

[pootmcgoot]

Well she never text me back and it's 5pm. So...if she does not have cash when she picks him up, he will be refused at the door tomorrow. At the least she should of said ok with a text.

[pootmcgoot]

Argh no late fee at pick up!!!

But my interview went well

[DaisyMamma]

Originally Posted by pootmcgoot

Argh no late fee at pick up!!!

But my interview went well

I hope you reminded her to bring it tomorrow. Honestly, if it were me I would have said no to begin with, as you already had plans. But its hard to say no sometimes. I'm glad your interview went well! Wooohooo

[momma2girls]

I only watch children from their contracted times only!!!! If there contracted pick up time is 4:00, they need to be there by 4:00 everyday!!

[snowball]

Originally Posted by pootmcgoot

Argh no late fee at pick up!!!

But my interview went well

Refuse him at the door in the morning if she does not have the fee. If you don't, you are setting yourself up for this type of treatment again and again. IMO she is getting off cheap. I charge $1 per minute anytime after the contracted pick up time.

I'm glad your interview went well.

[littlemissmuffet]

OMG... I would be furious. First of all she TOLD she couldn't pick up until 5:30, she didn't ask. Second of all, she didn't have the courtesy to reply to your text (this is exactly why I don't allow texting). Finallyh, after putting in an hour and a half of overtime for a measely $15, she doesn't bring it?

I sure hope this interview was to replace this client's space, because I promise, until you firmly put this woman in her place, she will continue behaviours like these.

[Former Teacher]

Originally Posted by pootmcgoot

So...if she does not have cash when she picks him up, he will be refused at the door tomorrow.

I hope you refused him.

"Take advantage of me once...shame on you. Take advantage twice...shame on me"

[MaritimeMummy]

Oh I would be refusing him in a heartbeat. I have a parent who is extremely inconsiderate, pulls things like this weekly, I stood up to her and she freaked out on me and accused me of being inconsiderate and difficult to deal with, she tried to pull the ol', "I've been with you since before you were an approved home day care so I should get some leniency" trick. I was so furious I couldn't respond right away (this was via email). And it's' actually a good thing I didn't respond because she ended up emailing me again apologizing and agreeing that she was not following my contract and that I had every right to ask what I was asking.

Parents just do NOT get that we are running a business. We care for their kids and in most cases we love them, but at the end of the day it's a business, and this is our career. We do not work for free, and there are rules like any business. I don't know why that is so hard for them to get, but it is. I mean, of course if they are running late and it's unavoidable, I am not going to just sit their child outside at their regular pick up time and forget about them...it just stirs my blood.

The other day, my cousin's husband was late picking up their son, who I care for. 6pm is my close time, if they call to let me know they will be late I charge $10 per hour. If they do not call, I charge $10 for every 15 minutes (which is still pretty lenient). Anyway, I got no phone call from him but he came in at 6:07 and apologized profusely and handed me a $10 right then. That is the way it should be, compliant parents who need no reminders. It's SO awkward having to remind parents of your policies, especially when it comes to money!

[pootmcgoot]

No money this morning. I took him because it was 5 am and I was groggy. Shame on me. I texted her just a minute ago asking if it was in the diaper bag (it's not, I checked but I gave her the benefit of the doubt.) If she doesn't respond in 30 minutes I'm going to have to come pick him up.

AND HE HASN'T HAD WIPES IN A WEEK!

[My3cents]

Originally Posted by pootmcgoot

No money this morning. I took him because it was 5 am and I was groggy. Shame on me. I texted her just a minute ago asking if it was in the diaper bag (it's not, I checked but I gave her the benefit of the doubt.) If she doesn't respond in 30 minutes I'm going to have to come pick him up.

AND HE HASN'T HAD WIPES IN A WEEK!

Change your rates to a flat rate with contracted hours, and it if it is a drop in or rotating schedule charge a lot more- you most likely can't put anyone else in that time spot. Explain to your parents that you only have so many slots and need to be able to make a steady income. Charge if she comes or does not come for any reason- Anything over her contracted hours is more- and explain to her one last time that it is embarrassing for you to have to ask for late fees, please come cash in hand and call asap. Hope this helps you- your worth it, your time and everything that goes into running a well operated daycare is worth it. This advice was given to me early on and it took me a while to wrap myself around it. Sometimes it is easier then others and when you have parents that appreciate all that you do- once well established, you can decide if you want to be lenient about your rules- because you know who is taking advantage and who is not.

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by pootmcgoot

No money this morning. I took him because it was 5 am and I was groggy. Shame on me. I texted her just a minute ago asking if it was in the diaper bag (it's not, I checked but I gave her the benefit of the doubt.) If she doesn't respond in 30 minutes I'm going to have to come pick him up.

AND HE HASN'T HAD WIPES IN A WEEK!

I am sorry you are having this happen to you and I am sure you don't need or want to hear all the things you should have done.....buuuuuut, next time (if she dares) tell her to NOT even bother bringing the child in the morning without ALL money that is owed to you.

I would personally want the money at the time of pick up when late, but if she doesn't have it then, I would ABSOLUTELY make it clear that she cannot drop off in the morning until she pays the late fee for late pick up and I might have even added a late fee for the late pick up fee not being paid the night before.

So anyways, since you already have him, I would tell mom that she is NOT getting any more services until ALL fees and payments are paid in full.

Hope you get your money.

[pootmcgoot]

I've made my decision that I am giving her my term notice and I am not taking any more kids. He just broke my daughters play kitchen that she got for her first birthday to the point where it is irreparable.

And she threw in my face that shes a single working mom and forgets stuff sometimes. Well, I'm a married work at home mom juggling 2 kids, being paid less than 2$ an hour and up at 5 am for YOU.

However, I told her yesterday it would be 15$ and to bring it when she picked him up. When she didnt have it at pick up she said shed bring it in the morning. She had all day yesterday to put 15$ in her purse. When you're a working mom, isn't child care your #1 concern?

I dont know. I am tired of people playing me for an idiot and then making me feel like the bad guy because I don't work for free. Child care is HARD. It's hard when this little person takes over my house destroying stuff, hits my daughter and breaks her toys. It's hard being up at 5 am and then dealing with thrashing tantrums because hes mad that he has to come to daycare. UGH just UGH.

[Former Teacher]

Originally Posted by pootmcgoot

I've made my decision that I am giving her my term notice and I am not taking any more kids. He just broke my daughters play kitchen that she got for her first birthday to the point where it is irreparable.

And she threw in my face that shes a single working mom and forgets stuff sometimes. Well, I'm a married work at home mom juggling 2 kids, being paid less than 2$ an hour and up at 5 am for YOU.

However, I told her yesterday it would be 15$ and to bring it when she picked him up. When she didnt have it at pick up she said shed bring it in the morning. She had all day yesterday to put 15$ in her purse. When you're a working mom, isn't child care your #1 concern?

I dont know. I am tired of people playing me for an idiot and then making me feel like the bad guy because I don't work for free. Child care is HARD. It's hard when this little person takes over my house destroying stuff, hits my daughter and breaks her toys. It's hard being up at 5 am and then dealing with thrashing tantrums because hes mad that he has to come to daycare. UGH just UGH.

I am sorry you are being treated this way.

Maybe serving her the term notice will open her eyes. Just don't give her the notice until you have all your fees paid. Otherwise you wont get a dime.

[littlemissmuffet]

Originally Posted by pootmcgoot

I've made my decision that I am giving her my term notice and I am not taking any more kids. He just broke my daughters play kitchen that she got for her first birthday to the point where it is irreparable.

And she threw in my face that shes a single working mom and forgets stuff sometimes. Well, I'm a married work at home mom juggling 2 kids, being paid less than 2$ an hour and up at 5 am for YOU.

However, I told her yesterday it would be 15$ and to bring it when she picked him up. When she didnt have it at pick up she said shed bring it in the morning. She had all day yesterday to put 15$ in her purse. When you're a working mom, isn't child care your #1 concern?

I dont know. I am tired of people playing me for an idiot and then making me feel like the bad guy because I don't work for free. Child care is HARD. It's hard when this little person takes over my house destroying stuff, hits my daughter and breaks her toys. It's hard being up at 5 am and then dealing with thrashing tantrums because hes mad that he has to come to daycare. UGH just UGH.

Oh boohoo. I am so tired of hearing that excuse. My mom was a single working mom my entire life, raising two kids. So was my mother-in-law. Neither of them EVER used that as an excuse for ANYTHING. LIFE IS HARD, GROW UP AND DEAL WITH IT.

I am so sorry you're going through this, poot. I hope you will not allow anything like this to happen again - unfortunately you can't let parents "get away" with anything these days because they will end up taking it way too far. Term her and carry on.

Running a daycare is difficult, but it's MUCH LESS difficult when you enforce your rules and stop feeling guilty. Your clients problems are not yours. That doesn't make you heartless - it makes you a successful business owner.

[texascare]

Chalk this up to a lesson learned. I personally don't give two hoots if you are single or married. Money is money, it is all green, and the point is you owe money and you need to pay it. I am sick of hearing excuses from parents. I am a little brash, but after 25 years in this business I have had to get a back bone. It is hard not to take things personally but when it comes to my kids and my money you don't mess with me. I am sure she is getting paid, so should you.

[Former Teacher]

An update from this morning?

[pootmcgoot]

She paid me yesterday. I had texted her and told her to pay me or come pick her kid up by 12. She paid me.

She picked him up and was out of uniform at 4:00 on the dot. Thus she had been off of work long enough to go home, shower, change and do her hair. I think she was making a point because normally she picks up early and is ALWAYS in uniform which means she comes straight from work.

Tomorrow is his last day here and then he goes to dads for the month. She will get her term notice then and will have 5 weeks to find new care. He head butted me today when I picked him up while thrashing and the right side of my face/cheek area is bruising. Husband pointed that out just a bit ago.

I have terrible luck with this business! I'm 2 for 2 on the bad scale! UGH.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

How are you doing now?

[Michael]

pootmcgoot hasn't been on the forum since Sunday. You should PM her..