Originally Posted by Unregistered:
Apparently, this is how it has been for some time, but no one told me that having a child would mean that my life and career would be held hostage by the school calendar and daycare hours. Now, I TELL EVERYONE. Usually, I am the FIRST person to tell the young and child-free about the trappings of parenthood--because everyone else chooses to repeat cliches about the 'joy' and 'rewards', so as to appear completely in love with their kid. After all, everyone seems fine with it.
Or are they? Maybe they too are venting and waiting for these years to pass, instead of picketing, protesting and trying to change the state law that is the cause. SO MANY that came before us had the same problem and didn't address it. Now the problem is mine and yours, and it will be you children's struggle too if they become parents. Don't be mistaken--the shoulder-shrugging childcare providers participating in the discussion, they KNOW they have you by the b@#%s.
The whole city is at work. Your boss is at work. The boss expects YOU to be at work. But your child's school or daycare provider is closing its doors and leaving you in a lurch [and counting the cash drawer]. You may be able to work from home depending on your job; you make be able to take the kid to the Y, the JCC schools out, or an hourly service like KidsPlay (also at work on a snow day) depending on your income; or you may stay at home and lose a sick/vacation day or lose money.
I raised hell at my day care OFTEN. I also made up my time at work little by little. I stayed late. So, they stayed late with my child over and over and OVER. Yep, I paid late fees because I could afford to. The look in their eyes when I came for pick up, tells me they didn't want the money--they wanted their time back and they did not want the inconvenience.
Hmm. Well, imagine that. 
Originally Posted by unregistered:
I want to add that when I first started working longer hours to make up time (drop off at the earliest time and pick him up at the latest time). They tried to claim they would keep him only 8 hours daily due to state law. I called bulls#%* on that right away. I insisted that a) I work 8 hours, b) I commute 30 minute each way, YOU ARE GONNA DO 9 AT MININUM. No argument after that. If there was really such a state regulation, would that have done it?
I mean really, I worked through lunch every day! If I had an 45 min or 1 hour commute, were they gonna insist I change jobs? They were already killing my career when they closed. Now they wanted to decide how much value I got out of it when they opened. No way. Take the money. Do your job!
Perhaps this 8 hour argument applies to folks whose childcare is subsidized? Does anyone know?
What a horrible, hate filled example you are setting. If you could afford late fees (mine are $1/minute), HIRE A NANNY.
Also, what kind of parent leaves their child open- close M-F? I only enroll parents who value time spent with their child. The parent who goes in latest drops off, and the parent who gets out earliest pick up. The average time spent in child care for MY group is 7-8 hours, MAX.
Providers aren't 'holding you hostage', and they certainly aren't rolling in the cash. Find a different provider. MANY do not close for snow days. MANY are open 6-6 for parents like YOU. The center workers you kept late are paid minimum wage. They can barely pay their bills and are doing an exceptional job of caring for YOUR child every single day in your absence. THAT is what you PAY for.
If you value career over 'the look in your CHILD'S eyes' when he/she is the last child picked up and the first dropped off, then maybe you should not have had children.