Am I Heartless?
 

I am learning to keep emotions out of my business. I recently changed my hours. It is affecting one family. Great family, had 1 hiccup. dcd will be going "away" for some "time" within the next few months. We are no longer available for 11.5 hours that dcm would need for her schedule. Even though I love dcb, I can't do this for the 1 family. Now, while dcd is still here, he can help with pickups. Only concern is every other friday until he goes away because of traffic. He doesn't want to get hit with late fees.

I feel like they need to either find someone for every other Friday to pick up dcb on time, or they need to find another daycare although dcm doesn't want to do that. It may sound mean, but when dcd goes away, she's going to need someone to pick dcb anyway more than just every other friday.

I gave them 1 week already to think. I am planning on getting final decision Friday. Either find someone who will pick up or give me 2 weeks. They will have had 4 weeks before change of hours comes to play. This is logical thinking right?

You are not heartless. Your hours are your hours. They need to either find a way to make it work, or find another provider.

Originally Posted by Thriftylady:
You are not heartless. Your hours are your hours. They need to either find a way to make it work, or find another provider.

Thanks. I learned my lesson on trying to cater to parents. I need to do what's best for us, DH and I first. I get they are going through a rough time, but that is not my fault at all. I have given way enough notice.

Yes, your hours are all up to you. You can even decide to go to 4 hour days and parents have to either accept or go elsewhere. 4 weeks is plenty of time. Business is business and all businesses make changes and not all customers like the changes. Sometimes businesses will make an exception for special clients or special circumstances, but again, it is your business.

Originally Posted by Mike:
Yes, your hours are all up to you. You can even decide to go to 4 hour days and parents have to either accept or go elsewhere. 4 weeks is plenty of time. Business is business and all businesses make changes and not all customers like the changes. Sometimes businesses will make an exception for special clients or special circumstances, but again, it is your business.

You are right. Unfortunately for them, I cannot do an 11.5 hr day anymore. That's asking me to burn out fast. I know some do it, but I just can't. We'll see what happens. I'd just rather know sooner than later, so I can advertise. I also have my waiting list.

Yah, I don't think I could do an 11.5 hour day--maybe one day a week, but it gets really long for the kids.

Originally Posted by Mom2Two:
Yah, I don't think I could do an 11.5 hour day--maybe one day a week, but it gets really long for the kids.

I have one 12 hrs daily, 5 days week because of parents work; they pay for it too and just once I want dinner by myself instead of sharing with a 14 month old... long weekend coming up lol

Originally Posted by LysesKids:
I have one 12 hrs daily, 5 days week because of parents work; they pay for it too and just once I want dinner by myself instead of sharing with a 14 month old... long weekend coming up lol

God bless you. Lol

You've been open and up front with them, given plenty of notice, and are presented multiple options. That's not heartless- that's being a professional dealing with a changing situation.

It's not your fault he's going "away".
It's not your responsibility to problem solve for them. Although I don't count hours in care per day, I can not provide additional hours. I work a lot of hours already. I won't expand them.
Most of my kids are in care for 11-12 hours per
day already.

I work 7-5, that's it. I lost a nice family recently due to a change in moms work schedule, she needed care later. She didn't ask for more hours from me, just gave me 2 weeks notice. I had her replaced by the end of the day she gave notice. Sad to lose the sweet little girl, but enjoying the new child and still only working 7-5. likethis

Not heartless at all. :) It's business and you aren't a member of their family. It's the family's job to figure out family problems.

Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
Not heartless at all. :) It's business and you aren't a member of their family. It's the family's job to figure out family problems.

likethis I provide care services not family consulting services

Thanks for your input. I just saw an article on Facebook about me. This entire situation. Tom Copeland wrote it. I was reading it and said this situation sounds familiar!!

Originally Posted by lovemydaycare0912:
Thanks for your input. I just saw an article on Facebook about me. This entire situation. Tom Copeland wrote it. I was reading it and said this situation sounds familiar!!

likethislikethis

I don't think you're heartless at all! The way I see it, if you don't change your hours you'll probably burn out and will either quit, or won't be able to provide the same quality of care. By changing your hours you're making sure that won't happen. If you quit or quality suffers, ALL your families will be affected.

Originally Posted by lovemydaycare0912:
Thanks for your input. I just saw an article on Facebook about me. This entire situation. Tom Copeland wrote it. I was reading it and said this situation sounds familiar!!

I saw that also. I thought it sounded familiar. You're famous :D

Originally Posted by SquirrellyMama:
I saw that also. I thought it sounded familiar. You're famous :D

Haha. Thanks. I was going to comment and say hey that's about me. Buuuuut I'd rather keep myself anonymous at least on Facebook.