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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Late Payment, Dragging SO MUCH Stuff In, Drama Drop Off
KIDZRMYBIZ 08:11 AM 04-13-2015
AUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There, I feel better. Sorry about that. Ya know, I love the kids, I love my days with them, it's great! But the parents, well, you understand...
I don't remember people being quite so disrespectful in years past as they are these days. Maybe it's just that I, myself, am older and more intuitive to others' needs that it makes me more sensitive when mine are ignored. Or perhaps I was simply more lenient back then, and now I expect DCFs to follow my policies to the letter. But I honestly don't remember some of my issues now causing so much grief in the past.
Late payments-usually not a problem, but every once in a while (once every 2 or 3 weeks), someone "forgets" their weekly payment. Today, DCM comes in and says, "Man, half-way here I realized I walked out and left your money on the counter. I will bring it tomorrow morning." I say, "Be sure to include late payment fees with it." DCM: "But I will bring it tomorrow morning." Me: "Tomorrow morning is late." To which I am awarded a deer-in-the-headlights look and an exasperated sigh. I have to keep telling myself that it isn't personal, it's business. But I still feel like an unyielding witch. But I can't give in because I know where it leads...
Secondly, I am going to have to address the "no items from home" problem. Again.
Now, I do remember kids bringing things from home all the years I've done daycare, but it did not cause problems like it does now. These kids I have now just cannot separate from blankets or lovies when they bring them in here. They FREAK OUT if anyone else touches them. 2yo love to flick their blankets, and that pushes my buttons. They do not miss these "comfort" items one little bit all day long if they just don't come in. And the toys. Same thing. Cry when they have to share, and then micromanage the other kid playing with it when I do wrench it from them. And the food. DCK sits in the front hall refusing to give up a wad of something or other, while DCM or DCD (although usually it's a DCM) is coaxing them to hurry up and finish so they can leave for work. Then I have to scrub (sweeping is not enough) the front hall every morning or we have an ant problem.
Lastly, a drama drop-off. DCM used to NEVER drop-off a now 2yo, but has been 1 or 2 mornings a week for the past 3 weeks. They come in about 9:15/9:30, which is little baby nap time. DCB is not digging this new routine, and is screaming/flailing/crying when they come in. Each time, I told DCM babies are sleeping, this can't happen, get a handle on him before you come in, or at the very least get here before 9:00. Well, I lost it this morning when she brought him in screaming at 9:15. I marched over, told her the babies are napping, took DCB from her and said, "I will take care of this, GOOD-BYE." I know my voice and demeanor was dripping with ice. Too bad for her she was the last drop-off on a Monday morning full of non-compliance!
They are all small policies (other than payment-that one is a big deal to me) being broken, but policies none the less. The thing that gripes me the most is that every time, the DCF will say something like "I know you don't want such-and-such, but we've had a rough morning/didn't sleep well/some flimsy excuse that says I have no spine and want to make you the bad guy." Bah! Well, now I can shake it off and go enjoy the day...until pick-ups that is.
There, I feel better. Sorry about that. Ya know, I love the kids, I love my days with them, it's great! But the parents, well, you understand...
I don't remember people being quite so disrespectful in years past as they are these days. Maybe it's just that I, myself, am older and more intuitive to others' needs that it makes me more sensitive when mine are ignored. Or perhaps I was simply more lenient back then, and now I expect DCFs to follow my policies to the letter. But I honestly don't remember some of my issues now causing so much grief in the past.
Late payments-usually not a problem, but every once in a while (once every 2 or 3 weeks), someone "forgets" their weekly payment. Today, DCM comes in and says, "Man, half-way here I realized I walked out and left your money on the counter. I will bring it tomorrow morning." I say, "Be sure to include late payment fees with it." DCM: "But I will bring it tomorrow morning." Me: "Tomorrow morning is late." To which I am awarded a deer-in-the-headlights look and an exasperated sigh. I have to keep telling myself that it isn't personal, it's business. But I still feel like an unyielding witch. But I can't give in because I know where it leads...
Secondly, I am going to have to address the "no items from home" problem. Again.
Now, I do remember kids bringing things from home all the years I've done daycare, but it did not cause problems like it does now. These kids I have now just cannot separate from blankets or lovies when they bring them in here. They FREAK OUT if anyone else touches them. 2yo love to flick their blankets, and that pushes my buttons. They do not miss these "comfort" items one little bit all day long if they just don't come in. And the toys. Same thing. Cry when they have to share, and then micromanage the other kid playing with it when I do wrench it from them. And the food. DCK sits in the front hall refusing to give up a wad of something or other, while DCM or DCD (although usually it's a DCM) is coaxing them to hurry up and finish so they can leave for work. Then I have to scrub (sweeping is not enough) the front hall every morning or we have an ant problem. Lastly, a drama drop-off. DCM used to NEVER drop-off a now 2yo, but has been 1 or 2 mornings a week for the past 3 weeks. They come in about 9:15/9:30, which is little baby nap time. DCB is not digging this new routine, and is screaming/flailing/crying when they come in.
Each time, I told DCM babies are sleeping, this can't happen, get a handle on him before you come in, or at the very least get here before 9:00. Well, I lost it this morning when she brought him in screaming at 9:15. I marched over, told her the babies are napping, took DCB from her and said, "I will take care of this, GOOD-BYE." I know my voice and demeanor was dripping with ice. Too bad for her she was the last drop-off on a Monday morning full of non-compliance!They are all small policies (other than payment-that one is a big deal to me) being broken, but policies none the less. The thing that gripes me the most is that every time, the DCF will say something like "I know you don't want such-and-such, but we've had a rough morning/didn't sleep well/some flimsy excuse that says I have no spine and want to make you the bad guy." Bah! Well, now I can shake it off and go enjoy the day...until pick-ups that is.
Snowmom 09:00 AM 04-13-2015
I'm right there with you.
I've actually been ready to throw in the towel lately because I cannot stand my current parents here.
I now have to have that fake perm-a-grin on my face when parents walk in, because if I don't... well, my expressions gives me away.
I've actually been ready to throw in the towel lately because I cannot stand my current parents here.
I now have to have that fake perm-a-grin on my face when parents walk in, because if I don't... well, my expressions gives me away.
KIDZRMYBIZ 10:38 AM 04-13-2015
Perm-a-grin! That made me laugh out loud! I feel like I have that sometimes, too, and then I wonder if I look a little looney...
Josiegirl 10:44 AM 04-13-2015
Good for you for using that backbone! Especially with the late payment fee! 
I need to be better at that.
I need to be better at that.
deliberateliterate 10:57 AM 04-13-2015
I don't blame you for being annoyed, I would be as well. I'm just going fo add my drop off complaints from this morning:
DCM#1 comes in with her kids in rain boots, and tells me running shoes are in her (enormous) bag. Boots are on because they are "easier to put on, but please put running shoes on for outside". I have neither the time, nor inclination to root through your bag to find different outdoor wear when I have 6 other kids to get ready, especially since you couldn't even manage to put your two kids in their proper shoes. She did this all winter. Both kids brought two pairs of boots. One that's easy to slip on and off, and then proper ones that had to be squished on. They should be wearing what you want them to wear.
DCM#2 comes with her 1 week potty trained 2 yr old. On her way out, she tells me that she hasn't put DCG on the potty yet. So you couldn't find the time with your one kid, but I can with 6 other kids?
DCM#3 has been sending DCG with a half cleaned poppy bum 4/5 mornings a week lately. She's been changed, but poop is still all over (she has those nice grainy poops that alwYs take forever to wipe off). I'm giving her a pass because DCG is perfectly awful to mom, and she is just hitting her third trimester with twins. I'll help her as much as I can.
My families are generally good but I felt taken for granted this morning.
DCM#1 comes in with her kids in rain boots, and tells me running shoes are in her (enormous) bag. Boots are on because they are "easier to put on, but please put running shoes on for outside". I have neither the time, nor inclination to root through your bag to find different outdoor wear when I have 6 other kids to get ready, especially since you couldn't even manage to put your two kids in their proper shoes. She did this all winter. Both kids brought two pairs of boots. One that's easy to slip on and off, and then proper ones that had to be squished on. They should be wearing what you want them to wear.
DCM#2 comes with her 1 week potty trained 2 yr old. On her way out, she tells me that she hasn't put DCG on the potty yet. So you couldn't find the time with your one kid, but I can with 6 other kids?
DCM#3 has been sending DCG with a half cleaned poppy bum 4/5 mornings a week lately. She's been changed, but poop is still all over (she has those nice grainy poops that alwYs take forever to wipe off). I'm giving her a pass because DCG is perfectly awful to mom, and she is just hitting her third trimester with twins. I'll help her as much as I can.
My families are generally good but I felt taken for granted this morning.
KIDZRMYBIZ 11:09 AM 04-13-2015
Originally Posted by deliberateliterate:
I don't blame you for being annoyed, I would be as well. I'm just going fo add my drop off complaints from this morning:
DCM#1 comes in with her kids in rain boots, and tells me running shoes are in her (enormous) bag. Boots are on because they are "easier to put on, but please put running shoes on for outside". I have neither the time, nor inclination to root through your bag to find different outdoor wear when I have 6 other kids to get ready, especially since you couldn't even manage to put your two kids in their proper shoes. She did this all winter. Both kids brought two pairs of boots. One that's easy to slip on and off, and then proper ones that had to be squished on. They should be wearing what you want them to wear.
DCM#2 comes with her 1 week potty trained 2 yr old. On her way out, she tells me that she hasn't put DCG on the potty yet. So you couldn't find the time with your one kid, but I can with 6 other kids?
DCM#3 has been sending DCG with a half cleaned poppy bum 4/5 mornings a week lately. She's been changed, but poop is still all over (she has those nice grainy poops that alwYs take forever to wipe off). I'm giving her a pass because DCG is perfectly awful to mom, and she is just hitting her third trimester with twins. I'll help her as much as I can.
My families are generally good but I felt taken for granted this morning.
It's good to know that although it's sunny outside, it isn't so sunny in other daycares today, too!I don't blame you for being annoyed, I would be as well. I'm just going fo add my drop off complaints from this morning:
DCM#1 comes in with her kids in rain boots, and tells me running shoes are in her (enormous) bag. Boots are on because they are "easier to put on, but please put running shoes on for outside". I have neither the time, nor inclination to root through your bag to find different outdoor wear when I have 6 other kids to get ready, especially since you couldn't even manage to put your two kids in their proper shoes. She did this all winter. Both kids brought two pairs of boots. One that's easy to slip on and off, and then proper ones that had to be squished on. They should be wearing what you want them to wear.
DCM#2 comes with her 1 week potty trained 2 yr old. On her way out, she tells me that she hasn't put DCG on the potty yet. So you couldn't find the time with your one kid, but I can with 6 other kids?
DCM#3 has been sending DCG with a half cleaned poppy bum 4/5 mornings a week lately. She's been changed, but poop is still all over (she has those nice grainy poops that alwYs take forever to wipe off). I'm giving her a pass because DCG is perfectly awful to mom, and she is just hitting her third trimester with twins. I'll help her as much as I can.
My families are generally good but I felt taken for granted this morning.
WHAT is it with those grainy poops, btw??? I've had kids with those, too, and I swear they must eat sand for dinner every night!
Angelsj 05:47 PM 04-13-2015
Originally Posted by KIDZRMYBIZ:
They are all small policies (other than payment-that one is a big deal to me) being broken, but policies none the less. The thing that gripes me the most is that every time, the DCF will say something like "I know you don't want such-and-such, but we've had a rough morning/didn't sleep well/some flimsy excuse that says I have no spine and want to make you the bad guy." Bah! Well, now I can shake it off and go enjoy the day...until pick-ups that is.
Any policy that makes your day more difficult is not a "small" policy. Make your rules stick. Bring in food? Go back to the car and come in when ready. Why should you scrub?They are all small policies (other than payment-that one is a big deal to me) being broken, but policies none the less. The thing that gripes me the most is that every time, the DCF will say something like "I know you don't want such-and-such, but we've had a rough morning/didn't sleep well/some flimsy excuse that says I have no spine and want to make you the bad guy." Bah! Well, now I can shake it off and go enjoy the day...until pick-ups that is.
Nothing from home? Take it away in the car, or at home. Do NOT bring it in my house and make me the bad guy. Do it again, you can go home for the day.
Come in crying? Nope. Back outside until you can come in nicely.
You have a right to have rules that make your day go smoothly.
daycare 06:07 PM 04-13-2015
Originally Posted by Angelsj:
Any policy that makes your day more difficult is not a "small" policy. Make your rules stick. Bring in food? Go back to the car and come in when ready. Why should you scrub?
Nothing from home? Take it away in the car, or at home. Do NOT bring it in my house and make me the bad guy. Do it again, you can go home for the day.
Come in crying? Nope. Back outside until you can come in nicely.
You have a right to have rules that make your day go smoothly.
I agree. Any policy that makes your day more difficult is not a "small" policy. Make your rules stick. Bring in food? Go back to the car and come in when ready. Why should you scrub?
Nothing from home? Take it away in the car, or at home. Do NOT bring it in my house and make me the bad guy. Do it again, you can go home for the day.
Come in crying? Nope. Back outside until you can come in nicely.
You have a right to have rules that make your day go smoothly.
Why did they sign the rules if they aren't going to follow them. The only way they can do that is if you let them.
Building a back home is not easy. It takes a lot of practice and patience oh and time.
I would tell the parents face to face.
We want to set DCK up for success please make sure you leave all toys at home and make sure dck is ready to start his day on the right foot. And then smile.
Come up with lines that you just say over and over.
Sorry no outside food, please go back to the car and finish, I'll see you in a few. Smile and open the door.
You can do it.