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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>What Happened To Common Courtesy?
small_steps 05:18 AM 08-13-2013
DCM texts me at 10:25 last night asking for early drop off the next two mornings. I'm so irritated. I didnt respond at all. I should have, but wasn't really sure what to say because I was so aggravated! Hello?? I have 12 kids tomorrow! I need my rest. You want me to open for you 15 minutes early which is around 7:15 this morning so I'm already in the bed resting for tomorrow! I really don't mind doing the earlier time but really?? Couldn't you ask me at pick up yesterday?? So rude! What happened to common courtesy seriously? There's a major lacking of it in today's society.
DaycareMomma 05:31 AM 08-13-2013
I would have done the same, not texted back. I wouldn't open my door until your normal opening time. Just tell her you don't answer you phone that late at night. My phone stays in the kitchen and I look at it when I open up in the mornings.
EntropyControlSpecialist 05:32 AM 08-13-2013
I sent home a note long ago stating that I only reply to e-mails and phone calls between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM Monday-Friday. After those hours, I spend time with my family and turn my phone and computer off to enjoy my time off of work.
Brooksie 05:34 AM 08-13-2013
That's happened to me before. I wouldn't have minded but the time in which they asked was ridiculous, so just for that I said no, I needed more notice. And that was it.
BumbleBee 05:57 AM 08-13-2013
Common courtesy followed common sense outta town.
I've had parents text me at late hours and I do the same as you, don't text em back-even if I am awake.
I've had parents text me at late hours and I do the same as you, don't text em back-even if I am awake.
TheGoodLife 06:00 AM 08-13-2013
Did you open earlier? I wouldn't have- and I would have explained they need to request a change of schedule by (7:00 for example). And I would've pointed out that no texts or calls after 7:00. 10:30 is too late, I don't even contact friends at that time!
Cradle2crayons 08:42 AM 08-13-2013
Originally Posted by small_steps:
DCM texts me at 10:25 last night asking for early drop off the next two mornings. I'm so irritated. I didnt respond at all. I should have, but wasn't really sure what to say because I was so aggravated! Hello?? I have 12 kids tomorrow! I need my rest. You want me to open for you 15 minutes early which is around 7:15 this morning so I'm already in the bed resting for tomorrow! I really don't mind doing the earlier time but really?? Couldn't you ask me at pick up yesterday?? So rude! What happened to common courtesy seriously? There's a major lacking of it in today's society.
My policy states that I have to have a MINIMUM of 24 hours notice in any schedule change or time/drop off etc change.DCM texts me at 10:25 last night asking for early drop off the next two mornings. I'm so irritated. I didnt respond at all. I should have, but wasn't really sure what to say because I was so aggravated! Hello?? I have 12 kids tomorrow! I need my rest. You want me to open for you 15 minutes early which is around 7:15 this morning so I'm already in the bed resting for tomorrow! I really don't mind doing the earlier time but really?? Couldn't you ask me at pick up yesterday?? So rude! What happened to common courtesy seriously? There's a major lacking of it in today's society.
Shell 10:54 AM 08-13-2013
Originally Posted by DaycareMomma:
I would have done the same, not texted back. I wouldn't open my door until your normal opening time. Just tell her you don't answer you phone that late at night. My phone stays in the kitchen and I look at it when I open up in the mornings.
I would have done the same, not texted back. I wouldn't open my door until your normal opening time. Just tell her you don't answer you phone that late at night. My phone stays in the kitchen and I look at it when I open up in the mornings.
Blackcat31 12:17 PM 08-13-2013
Originally Posted by small_steps:
DCM texts me at 10:25 last night asking for early drop off the next two mornings. I'm so irritated. I didnt respond at all. I should have, but wasn't really sure what to say because I was so aggravated! Hello?? I have 12 kids tomorrow! I need my rest. You want me to open for you 15 minutes early which is around 7:15 this morning so I'm already in the bed resting for tomorrow! I really don't mind doing the earlier time but really?? Couldn't you ask me at pick up yesterday?? So rude! What happened to common courtesy seriously? There's a major lacking of it in today's society.
I would have had a hard time not responding....my reply would have been:DCM texts me at 10:25 last night asking for early drop off the next two mornings. I'm so irritated. I didnt respond at all. I should have, but wasn't really sure what to say because I was so aggravated! Hello?? I have 12 kids tomorrow! I need my rest. You want me to open for you 15 minutes early which is around 7:15 this morning so I'm already in the bed resting for tomorrow! I really don't mind doing the earlier time but really?? Couldn't you ask me at pick up yesterday?? So rude! What happened to common courtesy seriously? There's a major lacking of it in today's society.
"Well, I would have been happy to open earlier than normal for you but since I've been woken from my rest I won't be available now since it will take me while to fall back asleep. Next time please ask during business hours. Good night."
TheGoodLife 01:07 PM 08-13-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I would have had a hard time not responding....my reply would have been:
"Well, I would have been happy to open earlier than normal for you but since I've been woken from my rest I won't be available now since it will take me while to fall back asleep. Next time please ask during business hours. Good night."
I would have had a hard time not responding....my reply would have been:
"Well, I would have been happy to open earlier than normal for you but since I've been woken from my rest I won't be available now since it will take me while to fall back asleep. Next time please ask during business hours. Good night."
Lucy 01:25 PM 08-13-2013
Originally Posted by small_steps:
DCM texts me at 10:25 last night asking for early drop off the next two mornings. I'm so irritated. I didnt respond at all. I should have, but wasn't really sure what to say because I was so aggravated! Hello?? I have 12 kids tomorrow! I need my rest. You want me to open for you 15 minutes early which is around 7:15 this morning so I'm already in the bed resting for tomorrow! I really don't mind doing the earlier time but really?? Couldn't you ask me at pick up yesterday?? So rude! What happened to common courtesy seriously? There's a major lacking of it in today's society.
If I got a text at 10:25 pm, I would just pretend that I never saw it. My door would be locked in the morning, and the front part of the house would not have lights on. When they showed up early, it would take me AT LEAST 5 minutes to get to the door, if not more. Once I opened it, (with towel on my hair and toothbrush hanging out of my mouth), I would just look surprised and say "oh wow, you guys are EARLY!!.... Let me finish getting ready and I'll be back." ... then close the door. DCM texts me at 10:25 last night asking for early drop off the next two mornings. I'm so irritated. I didnt respond at all. I should have, but wasn't really sure what to say because I was so aggravated! Hello?? I have 12 kids tomorrow! I need my rest. You want me to open for you 15 minutes early which is around 7:15 this morning so I'm already in the bed resting for tomorrow! I really don't mind doing the earlier time but really?? Couldn't you ask me at pick up yesterday?? So rude! What happened to common courtesy seriously? There's a major lacking of it in today's society.
I don't make their problems MY problem. Now IF they had asked in person the day before and I gave an answer in person, that's a different story. But to text after I've gone to bed..... nope.
daycare 01:35 PM 08-13-2013
Originally Posted by Lucy:
If I got a text at 10:25 pm, I would just pretend that I never saw it. My door would be locked in the morning, and the front part of the house would not have lights on. When they showed up early, it would take me AT LEAST 5 minutes to get to the door, if not more. Once I opened it, (with towel on my hair and toothbrush hanging out of my mouth), I would just look surprised and say "oh wow, you guys are EARLY!!.... Let me finish getting ready and I'll be back." ... then close the door.
I don't make their problems MY problem. Now IF they had asked in person the day before and I gave an answer in person, that's a different story. But to text after I've gone to bed..... nope.
I have actually done just this...I have a family that when they started where texting me later into the night asking to drop off early the next day. I was stupid and said yes a few times. It quickly became a habit.If I got a text at 10:25 pm, I would just pretend that I never saw it. My door would be locked in the morning, and the front part of the house would not have lights on. When they showed up early, it would take me AT LEAST 5 minutes to get to the door, if not more. Once I opened it, (with towel on my hair and toothbrush hanging out of my mouth), I would just look surprised and say "oh wow, you guys are EARLY!!.... Let me finish getting ready and I'll be back." ... then close the door.
I don't make their problems MY problem. Now IF they had asked in person the day before and I gave an answer in person, that's a different story. But to text after I've gone to bed..... nope.
So I of course changed my policy to a 24 hour advance rule within my hours of operation. A few days after creating this new rule, the same family text me late in the night and asked for next day earlier drop off. I ignored it. In the morning when they came I was still asleep.......finally got to the door and said wow you guys are super early, I need for you guys to follow the rules, sorry I am not even ready to open yet you will have to come back.
Ohh man were they mad..............
Unregistered 02:26 PM 08-13-2013
What if it were an emergency ? A parenthad to be rushed to the hospital and you were the only care provider for the child the following day.? Sometimes we need to be kind to the parents.
Scout 02:50 PM 08-13-2013
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
What if it were an emergency ? A parenthad to be rushed to the hospital and you were the only care provider for the child the following day.? Sometimes we need to be kind to the parents.
I'm pretty sure if it were an emergency the parent would've included that info in the text to begin with.What if it were an emergency ? A parenthad to be rushed to the hospital and you were the only care provider for the child the following day.? Sometimes we need to be kind to the parents.
Blackcat31 03:08 PM 08-13-2013
Originally Posted by Scout:
I'm pretty sure if it were an emergency the parent would've included that info in the text to begin with.
Also, I am NOT a provider that provides emergency care for any of my daycare families. I'm pretty sure if it were an emergency the parent would've included that info in the text to begin with.
If they had an emergency, they would need to look to their family, friends and/or neighbors to help out as I offer services during business hours only.
I understand that some providers offer "extended services" and view their clients as extended family members but not all child care providers do that.
I also agree that if this situation were an emergency situation, the OP wouldn't have been annoyed about it.
Scout 04:41 PM 08-13-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I also agree that if this situation were an emergency situation, the OP wouldn't have been annoyed about it.
My point exactly!! Only I would probably help because 1. I run my dc out of my home and if it were an emergency I would want to help if it didn't run into any conflicts with my family and 2. I can only have up to 6 kids(including my own) which is a lot less than most of you!I also agree that if this situation were an emergency situation, the OP wouldn't have been annoyed about it.
Cradle2crayons 05:16 PM 08-13-2013
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
What if it were an emergency ? A parenthad to be rushed to the hospital and you were the only care provider for the child the following day.? Sometimes we need to be kind to the parents.
That's why I require all families have back up care. It's not about being "kind" to the parents. It's about common courtesy to providers.What if it were an emergency ? A parenthad to be rushed to the hospital and you were the only care provider for the child the following day.? Sometimes we need to be kind to the parents.
Unregistered 05:34 PM 08-13-2013
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
What if it were an emergency ? A parenthad to be rushed to the hospital and you were the only care provider for the child the following day.? Sometimes we need to be kind to the parents.
Aja ....What if it were an emergency ? A parenthad to be rushed to the hospital and you were the only care provider for the child the following day.? Sometimes we need to be kind to the parents.
Unregistered 08:44 AM 08-14-2013
Maybe i am in the minority here but when i first started daycare i had parents texting all the time. It only took me about 6 months to figure out that this was NOT what i wanted. So, I changed my cell phone number, and told the parents if they needed to reach me they could CALL and talk to me, you would be amazed at the amount of things parents will ask over text that they will not call you and ask you over the phone. And the TIMES that they suddenly feel are appropriate times to call. When parents call me now and it is after 7 or so, they start out with an apology vs parents that would text at 11pm asking for 6am drop offs.
Life has become so much more simple. I would suggest this to anyone. Especially if you are a provider that does not go anywhere with the children.
Life has become so much more simple. I would suggest this to anyone. Especially if you are a provider that does not go anywhere with the children.
Unregistered 08:46 AM 08-14-2013
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
Maybe i am in the minority here but when i first started daycare i had parents texting all the time. It only took me about 6 months to figure out that this was NOT what i wanted. So, I changed my cell phone number, and told the parents if they needed to reach me they could CALL and talk to me, you would be amazed at the amount of things parents will ask over text that they will not call you and ask you over the phone. And the TIMES that they suddenly feel are appropriate times to call. When parents call me now and it is after 7 or so, they start out with an apology vs parents that would text at 11pm asking for 6am drop offs.
Life has become so much more simple. I would suggest this to anyone. Especially if you are a provider that does not go anywhere with the children.
*note* I changed the number and parents only have landline nowMaybe i am in the minority here but when i first started daycare i had parents texting all the time. It only took me about 6 months to figure out that this was NOT what i wanted. So, I changed my cell phone number, and told the parents if they needed to reach me they could CALL and talk to me, you would be amazed at the amount of things parents will ask over text that they will not call you and ask you over the phone. And the TIMES that they suddenly feel are appropriate times to call. When parents call me now and it is after 7 or so, they start out with an apology vs parents that would text at 11pm asking for 6am drop offs.
Life has become so much more simple. I would suggest this to anyone. Especially if you are a provider that does not go anywhere with the children.
Blackcat31 09:39 AM 08-14-2013
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
Maybe i am in the minority here but when i first started daycare i had parents texting all the time. It only took me about 6 months to figure out that this was NOT what i wanted. So, I changed my cell phone number, and told the parents if they needed to reach me they could CALL and talk to me, you would be amazed at the amount of things parents will ask over text that they will not call you and ask you over the phone. And the TIMES that they suddenly feel are appropriate times to call. When parents call me now and it is after 7 or so, they start out with an apology vs parents that would text at 11pm asking for 6am drop offs.
Life has become so much more simple. I would suggest this to anyone. Especially if you are a provider that does not go anywhere with the children.
I can see how that would work easily for some people. I however, prefer to be direct and simply tell my daycare parents that they can not text/call me after a certain time as I find that rude and disrespectful and if I had a parent who disregarded or refused to follow the rule, I'd term.Maybe i am in the minority here but when i first started daycare i had parents texting all the time. It only took me about 6 months to figure out that this was NOT what i wanted. So, I changed my cell phone number, and told the parents if they needed to reach me they could CALL and talk to me, you would be amazed at the amount of things parents will ask over text that they will not call you and ask you over the phone. And the TIMES that they suddenly feel are appropriate times to call. When parents call me now and it is after 7 or so, they start out with an apology vs parents that would text at 11pm asking for 6am drop offs.
Life has become so much more simple. I would suggest this to anyone. Especially if you are a provider that does not go anywhere with the children.
In this business, I respect my clients and their right to privacy and family time. I expect the same in return.
Jack Sprat 01:14 PM 08-14-2013
I have a parent who will text me after 10 pm consistently. It makes me nuts! So I just wait till the next morning to respond. Usually at 7 when I open. She frequently tells me that she is asleep when I text. I tell I am asleep when she texts so it worked out well then..haha! I feel for ya!
itlw8 01:56 PM 08-14-2013
before he had children my BIL used to call us at 10:30 he would say oh were you asleep... yeah we have an infant. we are sleeping . So I called him one Sat at 7:00 AM oh were you asleep? he agreed not to call after 9 and I would not call before 10.
harperluu 02:00 PM 08-14-2013
Originally Posted by small_steps:
DCM texts me at 10:25 last night asking for early drop off the next two mornings. I'm so irritated. I didnt respond at all. I should have, but wasn't really sure what to say because I was so aggravated! Hello?? I have 12 kids tomorrow! I need my rest. You want me to open for you 15 minutes early which is around 7:15 this morning so I'm already in the bed resting for tomorrow! I really don't mind doing the earlier time but really?? Couldn't you ask me at pick up yesterday?? So rude! What happened to common courtesy seriously? There's a major lacking of it in today's society.
Funny, this same exact thing happened to me this morning. Except they called 10 min before they left this morning. I didn't answer her text or the door. I just hopped in the shower like I normally would. Sorry that you weren't able to communicate with me in a more timely manner. Your delay is not my emergency. DCM texts me at 10:25 last night asking for early drop off the next two mornings. I'm so irritated. I didnt respond at all. I should have, but wasn't really sure what to say because I was so aggravated! Hello?? I have 12 kids tomorrow! I need my rest. You want me to open for you 15 minutes early which is around 7:15 this morning so I'm already in the bed resting for tomorrow! I really don't mind doing the earlier time but really?? Couldn't you ask me at pick up yesterday?? So rude! What happened to common courtesy seriously? There's a major lacking of it in today's society.