I am also a home provider, and stuggling to fill my slots. But illness is defined in my handbook, and I stick to it. I have a new DCG who started last week. Come time to pay for this week on Friday mom Hemmed and Hawed. I said "fine she can't come if you can't pay in advance". Mom was upset. Then when mom did come pay she started in on "I don't want you to feed her this, I want her to have koolaid to drink....". I handed her money back and said "she has to eat what the other kids do unless she has a script from the doctor saying otherwise and I don't serve koolaid". Mom refused the money back and I still have DCG.

Think of it this way, if you don't take control, you won't be in business very long. Trust me I know, that is why I closed mine the first time. I HIGHLY suggest you read NannyDe's book, Doing Daycare. It talks all about how to deal with these types of parents. I have tried her advice once on the DCM above and it worked.

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