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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Late Night Business Texts
littlemommy 05:44 AM 10-11-2012
Dcm texted me at 11:30 last night asking if the kids could come an hour early today. I replied back right away and said yes after 8 is fine but next time please give me more notice. She never responded.
Fast forward to this morning and she calls twice at 7, but doesn't leave a message. I was getting myself ready, after having a death in the family last night and not getting home until super late and looking horrible. That's the only reason I was even awake when she texted late.
This is not the first time she has tried to get ahold if me late. Ugh. Do I open the door if she comes before 8?!
Fast forward to this morning and she calls twice at 7, but doesn't leave a message. I was getting myself ready, after having a death in the family last night and not getting home until super late and looking horrible. That's the only reason I was even awake when she texted late.
This is not the first time she has tried to get ahold if me late. Ugh. Do I open the door if she comes before 8?!
lil angels 05:58 AM 10-11-2012
I would not have responded at that time. I would keep the house dark and not open till 8. That is so rude. I would let her know the only reason you responded was because there was a death in the family ( so very sorry for your loss ) and let her know that she needs to contact you during business hrs.
EntropyControlSpecialist 05:58 AM 10-11-2012
To be honest, I would not have responded to that text. That is incredibly disrespectful to text someone (especially someone you are in a business relationship with) at 11:30 at night! Had you not replied, it would be a non-issue KWIM? I'm not saying that to be harsh, but it really isn't your problem. Your business is not open until 11:30 PM (I assume).
I sent out home a notice saying my cell phone is turned off outside of business hours (which are 7:00 AM-6:00 PM) and should they wish to get ahold of me to please send me an e-mail and I will get back to them at my earliest convenience.
I had parents getting mad at me because I would not respond to text messages late at night, on Saturdays, and on Sundays! It was incredible! Who wants to be tied to their work 24/7???
I sent out home a notice saying my cell phone is turned off outside of business hours (which are 7:00 AM-6:00 PM) and should they wish to get ahold of me to please send me an e-mail and I will get back to them at my earliest convenience.
I had parents getting mad at me because I would not respond to text messages late at night, on Saturdays, and on Sundays! It was incredible! Who wants to be tied to their work 24/7???
Crazy8 06:20 AM 10-11-2012
I am fine with getting texts outside of business hours, I want them to text me in the mornings so they don't ring my phone or even in the evenings if they aren't coming the next day, etc. - but 11:30pm is TOO LATE for anyone but my husband or kids to be texting me!!!!!
I would not open the door before 8am, not a second before!!! And I would be sure to tell them not to text that late again!!!
I would not open the door before 8am, not a second before!!! And I would be sure to tell them not to text that late again!!!
Willow 06:28 AM 10-11-2012
Right in my phb:
My daycare is open from Monday to Friday only. Hours of operation are variable. I only work the hours and days you have contracted me to in advance. Parents must phone in, email or text if they will be late in arriving or absent for the day. If you arrive late without a phone call, I may not be present. It will then be the parent’s responsibility to find and finance an alternate for their child for the day.
Please pick up and drop off on time. I, your provider, have a personal life too. No "quick" stops on your way here just because you find it more convenient. Outside of contracted hours the care of your child is your responsibility. I need to be notified by close (5:15pm) the day before of any changes in the following days schedule. I will confirm that I can or cannot make necessary accomodations. Please do not assume I will be here on a whim or will be able to take your child at the drop of a hat.
While I adore the children in my care I also need to utilize any free time I've planned on having to take care of the needs of my own family.
I would NOT have answered a text at 11:30 at night.
Much less right after receiving news of a loss in my family.
ETA- I ***definitely*** wouldn't answer the door before the time that you so graciously offered to open earlier at. Seems like mom decided to go straight to bed after she so rudely interrupted you so late last night, and then wanted to throw something together extremely last minute this morning....and even earlier?? What gives?
What kind of a job does she have that would have given her such late notice as to a change like that in her schedule?
My daycare is open from Monday to Friday only. Hours of operation are variable. I only work the hours and days you have contracted me to in advance. Parents must phone in, email or text if they will be late in arriving or absent for the day. If you arrive late without a phone call, I may not be present. It will then be the parent’s responsibility to find and finance an alternate for their child for the day.
Please pick up and drop off on time. I, your provider, have a personal life too. No "quick" stops on your way here just because you find it more convenient. Outside of contracted hours the care of your child is your responsibility. I need to be notified by close (5:15pm) the day before of any changes in the following days schedule. I will confirm that I can or cannot make necessary accomodations. Please do not assume I will be here on a whim or will be able to take your child at the drop of a hat.
While I adore the children in my care I also need to utilize any free time I've planned on having to take care of the needs of my own family.
I would NOT have answered a text at 11:30 at night.
Much less right after receiving news of a loss in my family.
ETA- I ***definitely*** wouldn't answer the door before the time that you so graciously offered to open earlier at. Seems like mom decided to go straight to bed after she so rudely interrupted you so late last night, and then wanted to throw something together extremely last minute this morning....and even earlier?? What gives?
What kind of a job does she have that would have given her such late notice as to a change like that in her schedule?
Blackcat31 07:00 AM 10-11-2012
I agree that 11:30 was awfully late to text and expect a response, however I turn my phone off after 9:00 P.M. and if parents text me after that, they don't receive a response until morning when I turn it back on.
I would also not allow her to show up before you are fully ready to accept children into care.
I would probably also mention to her the lateness of her text and how unacceptable that is.
I would also not allow her to show up before you are fully ready to accept children into care.
I would probably also mention to her the lateness of her text and how unacceptable that is.
littlemommy 07:17 AM 10-11-2012
I am livid. I called back this morning, only to be told they will come at their normal time, and she hung up before I could say anything. I texted and said that I don't appreciate late night texts\schedule changes. Got a long text back saying I "Get paid to put up with her" and that I never answer calls. If I had calls before 9:00 at night I would answer..
They came at their regular time. I talked to her on the phone about how I need adequate notice etc. ugh
They came at their regular time. I talked to her on the phone about how I need adequate notice etc. ugh
Blackcat31 07:20 AM 10-11-2012
she said you get paid to put up with her???????I'm sorry but that is so rude!! I just might have her walking papers ready for her at pick up time. You get paid to care for her child, putting up with her is NOT part of the deal when it includes lateness, disrespectful comments and all out rudeness!!
Praying you don't let this slide and have a talk with her about her attitude towards you and in general about common polite-ness and courteous behavior!
Childminder 07:24 AM 10-11-2012
I tell parents that I take calls until 11:30 but not to call me after that unless it is an emergency, not urgent but an EMERGENCY! The only ones that call after that are my family members if it is an emergency. Never had anyone in all these years abuse it.
Tell them that you are a business and all calls pertaining to daycare will go to voicemail or be handled during business hours only.
This was obviously something that she did not know about during those hours and felt it was important enough to bother you during late hours. If it is a one time issue I wouldn't make a big deal about it but if she abuses your kind nature I would be all over her for it.
Tell them that you are a business and all calls pertaining to daycare will go to voicemail or be handled during business hours only.
This was obviously something that she did not know about during those hours and felt it was important enough to bother you during late hours. If it is a one time issue I wouldn't make a big deal about it but if she abuses your kind nature I would be all over her for it.
littlemommy 07:37 AM 10-11-2012
Yep we talked about it. One more break in the rules and I'm done.
lovemykidstoo 07:40 AM 10-11-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
she said you get paid to put up with her???????
I'm sorry but that is so rude!! I just might have her walking papers ready for her at pick up time. You get paid to care for her child, putting up with her is NOT part of the deal when it includes lateness, disrespectful comments and all out rudeness!!
Praying you don't let this slide and have a talk with her about her attitude towards you and in general about common polite-ness and courteous behavior!
Amen to this. I would definately give her a wake up call and tell her that she's LUCKY you put up with her. Also, I would charge her for the time that she said she was coming early, but didn't. she said you get paid to put up with her???????I'm sorry but that is so rude!! I just might have her walking papers ready for her at pick up time. You get paid to care for her child, putting up with her is NOT part of the deal when it includes lateness, disrespectful comments and all out rudeness!!
Praying you don't let this slide and have a talk with her about her attitude towards you and in general about common polite-ness and courteous behavior!
wdmmom 07:48 AM 10-11-2012
I have my phone on my nightstand each night but if a daycare client emails or texts after 8pm, it falls on deaf ears until the next morning. I don't respond to requests. I will however respond if they tell me their child isn't coming the next day. Same goes for early morning text messages/emails. If it's before 630am, I don't respond until 7am.
I would make her aware that her request came in awfully late and she needs to contact you before 9pm in the event she needs you early again. No earlier texts, no earlier care.
I would make her aware that her request came in awfully late and she needs to contact you before 9pm in the event she needs you early again. No earlier texts, no earlier care.
AnneCordelia 07:53 AM 10-11-2012
"You get paid to deal with me."
"Great, I thought I was paid to care for your child. I get paid to deal with you too then I will send your invoice for this overtime and inconvenience fees."
JK but Id definitely THINK it.
"Great, I thought I was paid to care for your child. I get paid to deal with you too then I will send your invoice for this overtime and inconvenience fees."
JK but Id definitely THINK it.
lovemykidstoo 08:06 AM 10-11-2012
Originally Posted by AnneCordelia:
"You get paid to deal with me."
"Great, I thought I was paid to care for your child. I get paid to deal with you too then I will send your invoice for this overtime and inconvenience fees."
JK but Id definitely THINK it.
Good one and this is actually something you can say and laugh when you say it. Maybe she'll get how goofy (for lack of a better word LOL) she sounds."You get paid to deal with me."
"Great, I thought I was paid to care for your child. I get paid to deal with you too then I will send your invoice for this overtime and inconvenience fees."
JK but Id definitely THINK it.
littlemommy 08:06 AM 10-11-2012
I wish I could charge for that time, but it's not private pay
daycare 08:40 AM 10-11-2012
I have not had a chance to read all of the responses, but I use my cell phone as my home phone too, so turning it off is not an option for me.
Is this your only phone as well?
I started charging an inconvenience fee for stuff like this. My other thing that drives me nuts is the texts,emails and phone calls on the weekends. Despite my efforts to ignore them all, parents will keep on doing it until they get a response. Funny how fast it stopped when I started charging $5.00 after hours inconvenience fee. I charge it for after hours text as well. If you want me to be on-call, your going to pay me....
Is this your only phone as well?
I started charging an inconvenience fee for stuff like this. My other thing that drives me nuts is the texts,emails and phone calls on the weekends. Despite my efforts to ignore them all, parents will keep on doing it until they get a response. Funny how fast it stopped when I started charging $5.00 after hours inconvenience fee. I charge it for after hours text as well. If you want me to be on-call, your going to pay me....
crazydaycarelady 09:01 AM 10-11-2012
I agree with the others, I would not have responded.
littlemissmuffet 09:14 AM 10-11-2012
Originally Posted by littlemommy:
I am livid. I called back this morning, only to be told they will come at their normal time, and she hung up before I could say anything. I texted and said that I don't appreciate late night texts\schedule changes. Got a long text back saying I "Get paid to put up with her" and that I never answer calls. If I had calls before 9:00 at night I would answer..
They came at their regular time. I talked to her on the phone about how I need adequate notice etc. ugh
I am livid. I called back this morning, only to be told they will come at their normal time, and she hung up before I could say anything. I texted and said that I don't appreciate late night texts\schedule changes. Got a long text back saying I "Get paid to put up with her" and that I never answer calls. If I had calls before 9:00 at night I would answer..
They came at their regular time. I talked to her on the phone about how I need adequate notice etc. ugh
I would have called back and told her I don't get paid enough to put up with anyone's bullcrap. I also would have told her not to bother coming, that she was no longer welcome in my daycare. I HATE rude people, I WILL/DO term for this kind of disrespectful behaviour.
countrymom 09:15 AM 10-11-2012
this is why I don't give dcp's my cell number. If its important call my house and leave a message.
jojosmommy 10:51 AM 10-11-2012
Originally Posted by littlemommy:
I wish I could charge for that time, but it's not private pay
I KNEW IT! I wish I could charge for that time, but it's not private pay
Not surprised here. We have had many a discussion about the entitlement syndrome of those who don't pay for daycare and how they assume you are theirs because they pay you. Funny since they actually don't pay jack for care..... I better stop before I dig a hole I can't get out of...........
mema 12:23 PM 10-11-2012
Originally Posted by littlemommy:
I am livid. I called back this morning, only to be told they will come at their normal time, and she hung up before I could say anything. I texted and said that I don't appreciate late night texts\schedule changes. Got a long text back saying I "Get paid to put up with her" and that I never answer calls. If I had calls before 9:00 at night I would answer..
They came at their regular time. I talked to her on the phone about how I need adequate notice etc. ugh
I am livid. I called back this morning, only to be told they will come at their normal time, and she hung up before I could say anything. I texted and said that I don't appreciate late night texts\schedule changes. Got a long text back saying I "Get paid to put up with her" and that I never answer calls. If I had calls before 9:00 at night I would answer..
They came at their regular time. I talked to her on the phone about how I need adequate notice etc. ugh
Wow! That's all I can say.
I have answered a few late night text messages, but they don't happen often and are usually closer to 10pm. If I don't happen to see them, oh well. Some have come in that late, and I just look at it and ignore it until morning.
Crystal 12:47 PM 10-11-2012
She would have been told " NO, I don't get paid to put up with you, I get paid to care for your child. Which I will no longer be doing, as you clearly do not have any respect for me, my policies or my personal time. Effective immediatley your child care services are terminated"
I guarantee you she would have backtracked really quickly and ate her words. Then, the ball would be 100% in your court and you could decide if you were going to allow her one more chance.
Honestly, I would STILL do it. I do not have the time, nor patience to tolerate being treated with such disdain. And, I have no respect for someone who could be so narcissistic....and if I don't respect you, I cannot work with you.
I guarantee you she would have backtracked really quickly and ate her words. Then, the ball would be 100% in your court and you could decide if you were going to allow her one more chance.
Honestly, I would STILL do it. I do not have the time, nor patience to tolerate being treated with such disdain. And, I have no respect for someone who could be so narcissistic....and if I don't respect you, I cannot work with you.
saved4always 02:22 PM 10-11-2012
Originally Posted by littlemommy:
I am livid. I called back this morning, only to be told they will come at their normal time, and she hung up before I could say anything. I texted and said that I don't appreciate late night texts\schedule changes. Got a long text back saying I "Get paid to put up with her" and that I never answer calls. If I had calls before 9:00 at night I would answer..
They came at their regular time. I talked to her on the phone about how I need adequate notice etc. ugh
What a rude person! You "get paid to put up with her"???!!!! What is THAT??? I am livid. I called back this morning, only to be told they will come at their normal time, and she hung up before I could say anything. I texted and said that I don't appreciate late night texts\schedule changes. Got a long text back saying I "Get paid to put up with her" and that I never answer calls. If I had calls before 9:00 at night I would answer..
They came at their regular time. I talked to her on the phone about how I need adequate notice etc. ugh
I am livid for you! I would totally tell her that you get paid to provide childcare for her children during contracted hours, nothing more and nothing less. I think I would term if at all possible for an attitude like that.
Cat Herder 08:00 AM 10-12-2012
Originally Posted by Crystal:
She would have been told " NO, I don't get paid to put up with you, I get paid to care for your child. Which I will no longer be doing, as you clearly do not have any respect for me, my policies or my personal time. Effective immediatley your child care services are terminated"
She would have been told " NO, I don't get paid to put up with you, I get paid to care for your child. Which I will no longer be doing, as you clearly do not have any respect for me, my policies or my personal time. Effective immediatley your child care services are terminated"
I don't have time for adult children. 
Mom&Provider 09:02 AM 10-12-2012
I agree with pretty well everyone else! I would not have replied to that text, it's waaaay late and after 'office hours', sorry, but no. It's nice that you want to help her out, but by not replying there wouldn't be an issue.
Mom&Provider 09:05 AM 10-12-2012
Originally Posted by littlemommy:
I am livid. I called back this morning, only to be told they will come at their normal time, and she hung up before I could say anything. I texted and said that I don't appreciate late night texts\schedule changes. Got a long text back saying I "Get paid to put up with her" and that I never answer calls. If I had calls before 9:00 at night I would answer..
They came at their regular time. I talked to her on the phone about how I need adequate notice etc. ugh
Just saw this as I read further down...I would not have accepted her into my home this morning. Period. I'm not good with confrontation or keeping my backbone when I really need it, but to be spoken to like that...no way...even I wouldn't put up with that!! I am livid. I called back this morning, only to be told they will come at their normal time, and she hung up before I could say anything. I texted and said that I don't appreciate late night texts\schedule changes. Got a long text back saying I "Get paid to put up with her" and that I never answer calls. If I had calls before 9:00 at night I would answer..
They came at their regular time. I talked to her on the phone about how I need adequate notice etc. ugh
I would have terminated on the spot. You are NOT being paid to put up with her, there is no amount of money that would make THAT worth while!
daymommy 01:08 PM 10-12-2012
I have a dad that has done this repeatedly. It was after 10 once so I didn't respond...I actually was already in bed and didn't even see the text until the next morning. Anyway, he wanted to know if he could bring ds the following morning (a non scheduled day). Well when I didn't respond he just showed up to drop off at 6:30. It wasn't a day off or anything so not THAT huge of a deal, but it left me feeling very frustrated and disrespected!
Blackcat31 01:26 PM 10-12-2012
Even worse.....I was butt dialed by a DCD last night at 2:16 and 2:32 A.M. 
Child isn't even here this week and last time I got a middle of the night phone call was for a death in my immediate family
Child isn't even here this week
and last time I got a middle of the night phone call was for a death in my immediate family