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MissAnn 04:11 AM 04-21-2014
4 pay fees weekly and the rest pay every 2 weeks or monthly. Out of the 4 who pay weekly, only 1 paid (was due Friday) and this is the week the others don't pay. This also after the week a few had their yearly "free" week. One of those who I allowed to have a free week didn't really qualify for it because she hasn't been here a year....(only 2 months!)....but I let my guard down and let her......and is now late to pay THIS week! Yes I NEED the money! Another parent brought in a backpack after I let all parents know backpacks are no longer allowed. Starting this week off with a bang! Time to tighten the reigns.
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nannyde 04:45 AM 04-21-2014
Quit doing ANY free. It escalates the parents. Any time you give free it is not considered special to them. It's something they feel they deserve. This is why you are having so many issues now.

All the discounting and bonus the providers give are special only to the provider. The parents don't look at it like that. It's just the rate. It's not special. They don't feel gratitude or feel they owe you any consideration because you have given it. It's just an entitlement.
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MissAnn 05:07 AM 04-21-2014
Originally Posted by nannyde:
Quit doing ANY free. It escalates the parents. Any time you give free it is not considered special to them. It's something they feel they deserve. This is why you are having so many issues now.

All the discounting and bonus the providers give are special only to the provider. The parents don't look at it like that. It's just the rate. It's not special. They don't feel gratitude or feel they owe you any consideration because you have given it. It's just an entitlement.
I totally agree! My husband and I were just talking about this. The parents don't appreciate it. I feel like it's a "gift" but like you said....it's just the fees and no appreciation is given. I also know that the more you enforce your policies the more respect the parents give. This is business Ann! Quit trying to please! Thanks Nan!
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EntropyControlSpecialist 05:54 AM 04-21-2014
Originally Posted by MissAnn:
I totally agree! My husband and I were just talking about this. The parents don't appreciate it. I feel like it's a "gift" but like you said....it's just the fees and no appreciation is given. I also know that the more you enforce your policies the more respect the parents give. This is business Ann! Quit trying to please! Thanks Nan!
The worst clients I have ever had have always been the ones I felt like I "gifted." This has been at least 4 families that I can think of off of the top of my head. 100% guarantee, unfortunately.

Don't be mean or harsh, but stick to your policies and be happy you have them in place! How LUCKY the parents are that they KNOW the rules (or, at least they are available to them) and can read and re-read and re-read and re-read them as often as necessary.
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Cradle2crayons 06:52 AM 04-21-2014
I don't give free... I've found that giving free just feeds into the whole entitlement process.

However, I can be compassionate when least expected.

For instance, a few weeks ago, dcm of my long time 4 yr old dcg was in my very major car accident. She's a single mom. Makes twenty bucks a month too much for any assistance and doesn't expect free. She totaled her car and was injured and missed some work. Long story short, I don't have a pay if you come program. Not do I typically do send your kids unless you work type program. But I took dcg while she was too injured to work for a few days until her dad could drive over to help out. And then dcg was out a week. I credited that week to her account to help her out. She didn't ask or expect. And she's one of the main moms who volunteers for field trip assistance even if it's her one day off work. She brings supplies when she can etc.

She cried because she didn't expect the help.

THATS the type of non entitlement I can support.
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MarinaVanessa 07:02 AM 04-21-2014
I hope you have and enforce late payments fees. It's still a bummer bummer even when you get paid the fees but at least you get something out of the process ... of course then there's parents that apparently don't mind the fees.

I have new clients that started in January and they've paid late 4 times already ... seems like they're going to start making this a once a month habit. I just tack on the late fees and remind them to bring the fees and payment on Monday morning. I can tell they don't like the late fees added on but as I explained to them the late fees payment fees are in place to discourage late payments. They even asked for me to remind them to pay . I thought that's what I was doing when they received email invoices every Thursday. They've paid $90 worth of late payment fees so far.
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