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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Parents Acting Weird Since I Enforced Late Drop Off Policy
spedmommy4 09:41 PM 03-13-2016
Maybe I'm reading too much into it but here's what happened. I sent dcg home late in the afternoon Thursday because she vomited. She was on an antibiotic for an ear infection so it could have been the meds that make her sick but I had 4 other kids out with a stomach bug so I wasn't taking chances.
She didn't show by my 9 am cutoff time Friday so I assumed she was still sick. Then I got this text from dcd at 10:30 saying she's fine and he wants to bring her at noon. I said no, we would be sleeping at noon and she needed to arrive by 9:15 each day. (This has been an issue before- many times)
At 5 pm, I get a text from dcm saying that she changed her mind about spring break. She's now going to bring dcg everyday of their 4 day a week schedule for "consistency."
I then get another text awhile later requesting additional days for April and May. I okayed them and she responded, "glad you could take her in." Not the way this mom and I usually talk at all.
I get he was annoyed but his little one doesn't nap when they drop off late. And it's my policy. We've discussed it a ton of times and I'm not enjoying the suddenly unfriendly tone.
I'm not sure what to do at this point. Ignore the behavior until it blows over or address it directly?
She didn't show by my 9 am cutoff time Friday so I assumed she was still sick. Then I got this text from dcd at 10:30 saying she's fine and he wants to bring her at noon. I said no, we would be sleeping at noon and she needed to arrive by 9:15 each day. (This has been an issue before- many times)
At 5 pm, I get a text from dcm saying that she changed her mind about spring break. She's now going to bring dcg everyday of their 4 day a week schedule for "consistency."
I then get another text awhile later requesting additional days for April and May. I okayed them and she responded, "glad you could take her in." Not the way this mom and I usually talk at all.
I get he was annoyed but his little one doesn't nap when they drop off late. And it's my policy. We've discussed it a ton of times and I'm not enjoying the suddenly unfriendly tone.
I'm not sure what to do at this point. Ignore the behavior until it blows over or address it directly?
Josiegirl 02:40 AM 03-14-2016
I'd let it go. It's hard to really get the tone out of a text, although you know her well. Could be anything at all that made her sound different. And if you've discussed this same issue with them before, then they know better. 
You may want to point out in your handbook where it states to arrive before 9:15. Whether or not they accept it or understand it, if you have that policy, they still need to abide by it.
JMO
You may want to point out in your handbook where it states to arrive before 9:15. Whether or not they accept it or understand it, if you have that policy, they still need to abide by it.JMO
Play Care 03:05 AM 03-14-2016
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
I'd let it go. It's hard to really get the tone out of a text, although you know her well. Could be anything at all that made her sound different. And if you've discussed this same issue with them before, then they know better. You may want to point out in your handbook where it states to arrive before 9:15. Whether or not they accept it or understand it, if you have that policy, they still need to abide by it.
JMO
This. I'd let it go. It's hard to really get the tone out of a text, although you know her well. Could be anything at all that made her sound different. And if you've discussed this same issue with them before, then they know better.
You may want to point out in your handbook where it states to arrive before 9:15. Whether or not they accept it or understand it, if you have that policy, they still need to abide by it.JMO
I think it's nice that you even entertain the possibility of her returning the next day at all. She wouldn't have been allowed back until Monday at the earliest here.
Blackcat31 06:34 AM 03-14-2016
My general rule of thumb is:
"if you have an issue, comment, question or concern, say so. If you don't say anything I assume all is fine and dandy".
It goes both ways.
I tell parents to never assume I am upset, have comments, questions or concerns if I haven't said so...... If I have them, I'll say so.
Otherwise, I have ZERO time in my busy day to spend "guessing" or "wondering" what's up with so-and-so. kwim?
"if you have an issue, comment, question or concern, say so. If you don't say anything I assume all is fine and dandy".
It goes both ways.
I tell parents to never assume I am upset, have comments, questions or concerns if I haven't said so...... If I have them, I'll say so.
Otherwise, I have ZERO time in my busy day to spend "guessing" or "wondering" what's up with so-and-so. kwim?
childcaremom 08:20 AM 03-14-2016
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
My general rule of thumb is:
"if you have an issue, comment, question or concern, say so. If you don't say anything I assume all is fine and dandy".
It goes both ways.
I tell parents to never assume I am upset, have comments, questions or concerns if I haven't said so...... If I have them, I'll say so.
Otherwise, I have ZERO time in my busy day to spend "guessing" or "wondering" what's up with so-and-so. kwim?
My general rule of thumb is:
"if you have an issue, comment, question or concern, say so. If you don't say anything I assume all is fine and dandy".
It goes both ways.
I tell parents to never assume I am upset, have comments, questions or concerns if I haven't said so...... If I have them, I'll say so.
Otherwise, I have ZERO time in my busy day to spend "guessing" or "wondering" what's up with so-and-so. kwim?
I aspire to be like this. As it is, I'm an overthinker.
I am reading this and not feeling like anything is off so I would just leave it unless they bring it up again.
thrivingchildcarecom 10:08 AM 03-14-2016
I think just let it blow over. Your policies are your policies. I am sure you have them in your contract, handbook or somewhere for the parents to access and as you said you have discussed this a number of times. That's enough. I think if you constantly explain and explain, it diminishes a professional tone. It is what it is.
We have to develop a thick skin as providers and getting to the "water off a ducks back" isn't easy but its necessary. I'll be cheering you on!
We have to develop a thick skin as providers and getting to the "water off a ducks back" isn't easy but its necessary. I'll be cheering you on!
Unregistered 11:27 AM 03-14-2016
I had something similar happen with one of my very best families. I insisted that they abide by a stipulation in our contract and they got upset. I've always allowed them leeway but they pushed my just a hair too far that day and it ended up being an inconvenience for them so they were mad.
Anyways, I let it blow over and we were all back to our happy selves in about 3 days. I'm sure your DCM will get over herself if you conduct business as usual and ignore her catty behavior
Anyways, I let it blow over and we were all back to our happy selves in about 3 days. I'm sure your DCM will get over herself if you conduct business as usual and ignore her catty behavior
Blackcat31 11:34 AM 03-14-2016
Originally Posted by childcaremom:
I aspire to be like this. As it is, I'm an overthinker.
I am reading this and not feeling like anything is off so I would just leave it unless they bring it up again.
Oh, it's not due to any type of personal growth or maturity..... I'm just too lazy to worry about other people's issues. I aspire to be like this. As it is, I'm an overthinker.
I am reading this and not feeling like anything is off so I would just leave it unless they bring it up again.
EntropyControlSpecialist 11:34 AM 03-14-2016
I've had this happen with many families as I only allow a one hour drop off window (door locks at 9:00). She's just miffed that you enforce the policy she agreed to follow. Carry on like normal. They knew the policy in advance and signed some sort of agreement form prior to beginning care.
They knew the policy in advance and signed some sort of agreement form prior to beginning care.
spedmommy4 04:27 PM 03-14-2016
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Oh, it's not due to any type of personal growth or maturity..... I'm just too lazy to worry about other people's issues.
Honestly, I am too . . . Usually. I don't deal well with the passive-aggressiveness that was in the texts.Oh, it's not due to any type of personal growth or maturity..... I'm just too lazy to worry about other people's issues.
At the end of our text conversation, I walked away feeling like I'd been issued the consequence of extra time with their daughter. And honestly, I love having their daughter here and like that she won't be getting off her nap routine but it still left me with an icky feeling. Kwim?