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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Spin Off Of Daycare Is So Expensive
crazydaycarelady 07:39 AM 11-07-2013
I have not had parents say to me directly that dc is too expensive but I have gotten comments in a different way.

~We have been replacing the flooring in our house, taking out the carpet and putting down wood laminate. We are doing the work ourselves and getting inexpensive laminate at Costco, so while it is still expensive it's not as if we hired someone to come put real wood in or anything.

But we also had to get a new car because I had an accident on the freeway and our Suburban was totaled. Since it was paid for so we only had liability insurance on it and only got $2000 when we sold it for parts! We bought a new car but got a used Honda!

My dcparents have sweet houses and nice cars but for some reason I am overpaid if I have nice things.

I lost some weight and to reward myself bought a pair of *** boots and a Northface jacket but I feel like I don't want the dcparents to see me wear any name brand stuff "that they paid for!"
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hgonzalez 07:56 AM 11-07-2013
I had a daycare parent ask me how my garage sale went. I told her then she proceeded to tell me that she made over $400 at theirs...'enough to pay for 6 days of daycare'....in her words.

How tacky was that?
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crazydaycarelady 08:04 AM 11-07-2013
That is tacky! I once had a dcdad tell me "My whole raise is going to you!"
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MarinaVanessa 08:25 AM 11-07-2013
Originally Posted by crazydaycarelady:
That is tacky! I once had a dcdad tell me "My whole raise is going to you!"
"Ha ha DCD, you're so funny. To me maybe, but it's for YOUR kids"

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blessed mom 08:31 AM 11-07-2013
None of their business what you do with your money. It's for their kids as Marina said

If it's not worth the money stay home yourself with your own child. It's hard work.

We were in a drunk driving accident and got a settlement. We bought a horse (I had to leave riding when I had my own kids because of time) and not one parent said a thing. Enjoy your money. It's yours. Your parents get quality care for their kids...they should enjoy it and be thankful!
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melilley 08:54 AM 11-07-2013
I would wear the cr** out of those nice boots and jacket! I don't get how parents can even say a word and if they do, pooey on them!

If they were to actually break down what we get an hour instead of thinking of the weekly (or however you bill) rate I wonder if they would still be saying things.

I am pretty fortunate to have families that appreciate what I do and tell me. I do have one family who always says stuff about how they can't wait until their older ds who is in preschool goes to school, then they will only have one child to pay daycare for (I have younger ds). They are never mean about it and never have disputed my rates and mom always says she doesn't know how I do it, but still.

We should invite parents to take over our dc's for a week and see how little we make for what we do. I bet most wouldn't make it the whole week.
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Luna 08:54 AM 11-07-2013
Originally Posted by crazydaycarelady:
That is tacky! I once had a dcdad tell me "My whole raise is going to you!"
"Well that is good news! Now I can raise my rates!"
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melilley 08:56 AM 11-07-2013
Originally Posted by Luna:
"Well that is good news! Now I can raise my rates!"
Love this!
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JoseyJo 09:12 AM 11-07-2013
My hubby's cousin was the WORST about this! Every time he brought the payment instead of DCM there was some comment "all my money goes to you guys" "you guys are rolling in the dough" "I wish I could stay home and make the kind of money you guys do" Errrg! Used to drive me to wits end. But then I decided to just roll with it and have a snappy comeback each time- "Must not be because you have that nice new truck" "Oh yeah, your $2 an hour is helping us live the high life! " "You should! It's a great job if you can handle 7 little (his onery dcb's name)s running around!"

I started looking forward to him saying something so I could have a laugh with him about it (okay, not really with him,but at him!) Unfortunately he didn't think it was so funny and stopped making comments
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MotherNature 09:23 AM 11-07-2013
Originally Posted by Luna:
"Well that is good news! Now I can raise my rates!"
Hahaha!
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MarinaVanessa 09:56 AM 11-07-2013
Originally Posted by JoseyJo:
I started looking forward to him saying something so I could have a laugh with him about it (okay, not really with him,but at him!) Unfortunately he didn't think it was so funny and stopped making comments
Well there ya go!! A sure fire way to get the comments to stop
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BrooklynM 02:13 PM 11-07-2013
Originally Posted by JoseyJo:
My hubby's cousin was the WORST about this! Every time he brought the payment instead of DCM there was some comment "all my money goes to you guys" "you guys are rolling in the dough" "I wish I could stay home and make the kind of money you guys do" Errrg! Used to drive me to wits end. But then I decided to just roll with it and have a snappy comeback each time- "Must not be because you have that nice new truck" "Oh yeah, your $2 an hour is helping us live the high life! " "You should! It's a great job if you can handle 7 little (his onery dcb's name)s running around!"

I started looking forward to him saying something so I could have a laugh with him about it (okay, not really with him,but at him!) Unfortunately he didn't think it was so funny and stopped making comments
You should say- oh, you totally should start your own daycare then! Then don't see another word and see what she says. Chances are she would say- oh, I could never do that. Exactly. Most people cannot do this job. It's a business, not a charity!
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Moppetland 10:57 AM 11-08-2013
Originally Posted by crazydaycarelady:
That is tacky! I once had a dcdad tell me "My whole raise is going to you!"
Something similar said to me, but it was "I'm working to pay for child care".
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Evansmom 11:25 AM 11-08-2013
Originally Posted by Moppetland:
Something similar said to me, but it was "I'm working to pay for child care".
I had a parent say this to me when they were about to have their second child who they wanted me to take. (Maybe should have thought of that before they started trying for #2...)
Anyway I said, "well maybe it doesn't make sense for you to work. Maybe you could rearrange your finances and get to stay home with your babies or open your own home daycare. I'd be happy to help you with advice on how to start a daycare." Big smile

This was the family who owned a big new home on the lake, with a boat and boat dock and a DCM who got $100 hair cuts every month (I know bc her husband complained all the time about it).

Anyway she did end up quitting and tried to open her own daycare but couldn't do it more than a few months. As we all know its no cake walk!
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melilley 11:41 AM 11-08-2013
Originally Posted by Moppetland:
Something similar said to me, but it was "I'm working to pay for child care".
I have a dcm who was a nanny for her friend's 3 kids this past summer, but her 2 kids came here! She said she was doing it to pay me. What? Wouldn't you just stay home and take care of your own kids?
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godiva83 11:49 AM 11-08-2013
People sometimes just have no class, tact, or know when to mind their business.

Thankfully my hubby is the major bread winner and we live in a very modest home but we are able to afford other luxuries like vacations, and ppl always feel the need to make a remark.
"If I didn't have to pay for daycare I could meet you guys on the beach."
Or
"It's pay day guess you get to go shopping again!"

Umm really
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melilley 11:52 AM 11-08-2013
Originally Posted by godiva83:
People sometimes just have no class, tact, or know when to mind their business.

Thankfully my hubby is the major bread winner and we live in a very modest home but we are able to afford other luxuries like vacations, and ppl always feel the need to make a remark.
"If I didn't have to pay for daycare I could meet you guys on the beach."
Or
"It's pay day guess you get to go shopping again!"

Umm really
I really don't think that people think of the other people, like dh's or whoever you live with, and that they make money too.
Maybe that's why we have or do things, because I'm definitely not rich making money from dc...
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safechner 11:54 AM 11-08-2013
Originally Posted by crazydaycarelady:
I have not had parents say to me directly that dc is too expensive but I have gotten comments in a different way.

~We have been replacing the flooring in our house, taking out the carpet and putting down wood laminate. We are doing the work ourselves and getting inexpensive laminate at Costco, so while it is still expensive it's not as if we hired someone to come put real wood in or anything.

But we also had to get a new car because I had an accident on the freeway and our Suburban was totaled. Since it was paid for so we only had liability insurance on it and only got $2000 when we sold it for parts! We bought a new car but got a used Honda!

My dcparents have sweet houses and nice cars but for some reason I am overpaid if I have nice things.

I lost some weight and to reward myself bought a pair of *** boots and a Northface jacket but I feel like I don't want the dcparents to see me wear any name brand stuff "that they paid for!"

You work hard so you deserve to get a nice things. It is none of their business. I worked 12 years and we always buy name brands clothes, shoes, etc.... We also buy a brand new vehicles all the time. I dont care what parents think of us. The parents have jobs and buy whatever they want. It is the same things... About two weeks ago, my husband bought a used Toyota Sequoia for the first time for me. I dont want a used one and he knew I refused to buy a used vehicle but he did. I originally plan to buy a brand new Toyota Sequoia next year because I am not rushed on anything and there is nothing wrong with my jeep. We need a bigger vehicle since we now have 3 kids. He is so excited but I don't. He was mad at me because I dont feel excited to drive that because it is not brand new to me. He keeps tell me that it looks like a brand new and it is perfect condition inside and outside of vehicle. He also argued with me about the price. He said $13,000 is a best deal with low miles that he bought from individual than $58, 000 on a brand new. Oh well, that is why I prefer brand new and name brand on everything. I had parents never said any words to me at all.

Enjoy your money and whatever you want. Not to worry about the parents think.
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godiva83 12:13 PM 11-08-2013
Oh man if I was rich off of daycare WOULD LOVE IT!!
Nobody has ever said, " I do daycare because of the GREAT PAY."

I wish every parent would sit down before they complain about cost and calculate the hourly wage they are paying.

For example you pay $40/day and your day consists of 8hrs. That is only
$5/hr doing a rewarding but HARD TAXING job at times.

That $5/hr doesn't include any taxes, benefits, insurance, operating fees, CPP (Canada pension plan) ect

So if you account for all of that I am now working for $3.5/hr

Excuse me while I roll in the dough I'm making off my daycare families lol
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EntropyControlSpecialist 12:20 PM 11-08-2013
Whatevah to the naysayers. I would think of something sassy to say back and then smile.

Enjoy your belongings.
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Leigh 01:30 PM 11-08-2013
Originally Posted by godiva83:
People sometimes just have no class, tact, or know when to mind their business.

Thankfully my hubby is the major bread winner and we live in a very modest home but we are able to afford other luxuries like vacations, and ppl always feel the need to make a remark.
"If I didn't have to pay for daycare I could meet you guys on the beach."
Or
"It's pay day guess you get to go shopping again!"

Umm really
Um, yes, I AM going shopping today-for GROCERIES to feed to YOUR kids.
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countrymom 02:23 PM 11-08-2013
I get other comments, not daycare related. Like, how can I afford to go on vacation with 4 kids all the time. How can I afford all the activities for them.

well, I watch my money, my house is almost paid off and I don't do things to impress people and I don't own a gazillion credit cards. Oh, I do try to pay cash for things. But its comments like this that drive me crazy, I guess I just have more common sense than some of the people out there.
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daycare 03:17 PM 11-08-2013
funny you should say this. I was just talking to my hubby about it.

I was nominated for an award for a program I run here and some of my dcf would be there among many members of my community. I told my husband I have to change my purse and watch what I wear, I don't want them to think that I am sitting pretty rolling in DC cash.

I do have a lot of nice things, but when my husband was employed, he made great money and spolied me rotten. ahhhh those were the days....lol
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KidGrind 03:22 PM 11-08-2013
I’ve heard from DCPs, “Oh it must be nice to drive a ***.”

My reply, “It sure is.”
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Leigh 03:29 PM 11-08-2013
Originally Posted by KidGrind:
I’ve heard from DCPs, “Oh it must be nice to drive a ***.”

My reply, “It sure is.”
I have a DCP who has made comments about my SUV, too. I agree with them that it was expensive, but it is what I required to drive kids on field trips. I point to the car in my driveway that is 12 years old and was my car BEFORE I had to have a bigger one and that gets 2.5 times the gas mileage (and 1/3 the insurance premium)...just another daycare expense that parents don't consider.
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littlemissmuffet 02:28 PM 11-09-2013
Wow, I'd have NO problem terming a parent on the spot for talking to me the way that some of the parents have talked to you guys.

I don't care if a parent is paying me - I more than EARNED that pay (which IMO is no where near the amount I actually should get for the job I do) so I will be damned if a parent would comment about where that money is going. I don't tolerate disrespect like that, certainly not in my own home - that *I* paid for.
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blandino 05:19 PM 11-09-2013
Originally Posted by littlemissmuffet:
Wow, I'd have NO problem terming a parent on the spot for talking to me the way that some of the parents have talked to you guys.

I don't care if a parent is paying me - I more than EARNED that pay (which IMO is no where near the amount I actually should get for the job I do) so I will be damned if a parent would comment about where that money is going. I don't tolerate disrespect like that, certainly not in my own home - that *I* paid for.

ABSOLUTELY ! What I charge is very little for the actual work I do. I work (am open) 52.5 hours a week + 30 min of cleaning after close each day + grocery shopping time + lesson planning time. I work about 59 hours a week. So almost 20 more (or two work days) more than most of my clients. I would be damned if I allowed anyone to tell me I charge a lot. I would take it to mean I charge more than I work/am worth - and those would be fighting words.

I make no qualms about the amount of money I make, considering I work hard for it.

Nannyde, had a great post about why people feel that daycare cost is high. I can't remember all the points, but one was that they don't see it as work because it is their child that they love and that kind of blinds them from seeing the amount of work it actually is. Another point is that we are home anyway, so we are just basically getting bonus money for staying home (NOT the way I look at it, but the way some DCP think). There were a lot of other good points. Forgive me if I am not doing your points justice Nannyde. They were really really eye opening for me.

Parents are so quick to point out that they could never do my job, but are also very quick to complain about the cost.
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misslori50 09:23 AM 11-15-2013
Its so frustrating to have a parent resent having to pay you to watch their children. I know one of my parents resents it. Im sorry you are having to work for 10$ and hour and have to pay me. Its not my fault you are getting a divorce. The only reason I do this is to help my family not be so poor.
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Annalee 10:31 AM 11-15-2013
Same here! Just last week one of my dcp let me know she was expecting child number 3...and could she have a discount to avoid being broke. I do not give discounts for siblings and they just don't get it.....Having these children is a choice......accountability/responsibility go hand in hand.
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Unregistered 01:27 PM 11-15-2013
I always get jabs about how much I make. A few years back I raised my fee from $140 to $150 a week, I had a mom complain because the bank machine only gives 20 dollar bills......I told her that her fee could be $160 if it made it easier....that put a zipper on that.
I also recently had a parent say to me "no one makes as much money as you!" so I said "I guess they choose the wrong profession"
Yes, I can make great money, but there are a lot of expenses parents don't know (or choose to ignore) about.....but why do we have to address it at all??? Do they discuss what their friends and co-workers make? I think not!
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Cradle2crayons 05:42 PM 11-15-2013
I had a mom once a long time ago want to drop her kids off two hours early and I said no. And she says "I pay you 1000 a month" ok first off, it's 880 for 3 kids. So I gave her the breakdown of what I made after expenses on her three kids and when I was done she realized she made WAYYYYYYY more than me.
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Unregistered 01:56 PM 11-17-2013
Ha, I had one parent who kept making smart jabs about how much he paid me every time made the deliberate exercise of writing the check in the foyer while the kids played every Friday. Finally I said, "I survive now, but I made way more as a NICU nurse with my 2-to-1 ratio. Hmmm, wonder if I should raise rates to be comparable. You all should be able to afford it. I see you and XXX bought a new Lexus last week, and DCG said mom was expecting? Are you planning on bringing the new baby here? I don't offer sibling discounts, and that will actually increase my numbers here..." I NEVER heard another snide comment again.
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Unregistered 03:36 PM 11-17-2013
Before I opened my daycare, I owned and operated a jail commissary. If the inmate's family put money on their books, they could buy snacks and hygiene items from us. Our prices were strictly regulated and we were only allowed a certain percentage of profit.

One year, we sold our home in the city and moved to a small town, making a large profit on the sell of the house. My husband used part of it to buy a classic car that he had dreamed of owning since 1963. Oh my word, did we take heat for that. Every time someone misfigured their totals and wasn't able to get everything they wanted, we heard snide remarks about that car. Since we only went to the jail twice a week, the jailers (who wrote our check each week and saw what we made) were constantly making "jokes" about getting rich, working 2 days a week and driving fancy cars. What they never wanted to understand is that that check wasn't profit and a large chunk of it went to buy merchandise, pay taxes and social security, keep our equipment operational, etc. Our actual profit gave us a very modest living. As for working 2 days, ha!! I worked at least 40 hours a week, often more, but I was lucky enough to be able to work from home. Sound familiar?

Jealousy is ugly and I don't know why people think being self employed is all profit.
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