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#1
08-26-2016, 07:15 AM
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Does Anyone Else?
I just have to know. Does anyone else have dcparents that are teachers and still send their kids all summer long? I have parents that are both teachers and send their kid to me for 50+ hours a week even though neither of them work. Who does that?The mom is always in pyjamas and regularly makes comments about going back home to sleep in. they absolutely never pick up early not a single time this summer. They pick up at 5:30 always even though I've mentioned many times that they can pick him up anytime and that my other parents always pick up as soon as they're off work so if they wanted to get him early that would be fine. But nope it's exactly 5:30 every day
They post pictures of their son all the time and it's always the pictures that I message them. I send all the parents pictures of their kids when they do fun things. So these parents post those pictures to their face books and yesterday someone commented about how they always do such creative and fun things with their kid and the dad wrote Thanks! So now I'm mad I really can't say anything and I know it isn't my right. I just wanted to vent and see if anyone else has parents that apparently have no interest in being with their kid. What do they do all day? 
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#2
08-26-2016, 07:21 AM
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But I charge 52 weeks a year so I don't spend much time worrying about whether a parent is working or not working. As long as my kiddos are dropped off well rested, well fed, clean and in good spirits, I'm good. It's way to stressful to worry about what other people are doing. I'm busy enough as it is. 
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#3
08-26-2016, 08:11 AM
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I often wonder how many parents out there don't actually want their kids, or just want them for their own personal gain in one way or another, but like others have posted many times, if you're paid to watch their child, who cares what they are doing.
Now, the part about indirectly taking credit where credit is not due, that is so annoying. I've had that happen in each of the different businesses I had. Half the time, people find the truth later anyway. The other half, we either correct, or just leave it alone. If it were me, I'd intentionally try taking pictures that showed enough of the area around that it was obvious it was taken at a daycare. 
__________________
Children are little angels, even when they are little devils. They are also our future.
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#4
08-26-2016, 08:21 AM
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 I sent him home of course. It was driving me crazy so I just stopped worrying about it and I've been much happier since. Lol!! I especially tried to tell myself to stop worrying because I know there was a little selfishness in my feelings since he is my latest one and it would be nice to be done early every once in a while. Not my place to judge, but trust me, I know it's hard not to!
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#5
08-26-2016, 08:33 AM
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#6
08-26-2016, 08:44 AM
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I see it happen all the time. I don't mind because it's their loss. I just chalk it up to them being incredibly self centered. I have a dcf whose kids are here m-f 6:30-6:30. I can't tell you how many times they have couples only weekends and drop the kids with family so they can have "their" time. These are probably the same parents who are totally forgotten about when they are old-and then wonder why their kids don't spend time with them. Thank goodness my mom wasn't that way!
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#7
08-26-2016, 09:59 AM
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I don't really care what parents do a long as I'm getting paid but I would be insulted that they are posting pictures on Facebook and taking the credit. I would comment each time something along the lines of: xxx had so much fun at daycare that day, thanks for sharing! If was happening all the time I might even gush a bit more...We are having such a great time with xxx this summer and making wonderful memories
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#8
08-26-2016, 12:55 PM
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#9
08-26-2016, 12:55 PM
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I charge for the spot whether the kids are here or not so I figure I can't be too surprised or get too upset when teacher parents bring their kids to me all summer.
I do know what you mean, though. I once had a parent who dug her car out of a 6' snow drift so she could drive her child to my house on a school snow day. I guess she needed some time to herself but I just had to shake my head! Over time, though, I've just adopted the attitude of, "I don't care where they are or what they're doing as long as they pay and pick up on time."
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#10
08-26-2016, 02:12 PM
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took DCB with her and walked back to her car and went home She was actually a great DCP and usually picked DCB up right after work etc, she must have really needed a me day lol unfortunately it didn't quite work out that way...
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#11
08-26-2016, 02:14 PM
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Am I jealous I don't get kid free time? Yes! Because of my job and family I don't get kid free time to go to appointments, clean, work out etc BUT if I did...I would use it! I would get my car serviced, deep clean, work out before picking up my kids... I would! And then I would be super attentive when with my children later.
We never know the whole story too. 1 of my families is picking up later now, because Dad is resting after chemo. I only know because dcd and dh are friends. Otherwise I wouldn't know they why of it. DCM picks up later too so she can run errands, talk to insurance etc without a 1 and 3yo. Could she do it with her kids in toe? Sure, you bet. But her children, and all the children are having fun and being loved on here with me. Theyre happy and safe. And mommy and daddy always come back by 5pm, that's all I care about.
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#12
08-26-2016, 02:29 PM
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 I actually DO get kid free time. I was off every Friday in July and August and a lot of those days my own kids were at camps. House cleaning, errands, training for my half in September, etc. (okay okay, I didn't use the time for as much training as I should have  ) But in all honesty, by taking time for ME, I find I get less p I s s y about clients. And you can always tell them the next summer you will be CLOSED on Mondays or Friday's in the summer so you can spend some 1:1 time with your own family
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#13
08-26-2016, 02:35 PM
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If it really bothered me, I would change something.
I had a dcm that was not working and still brought her child to care. I agreed. Then she brought her sick twice and was leaving it right to the last minute to pick up. I 'restructured' after a month of that. I had wanted to term anyways for a few different reasons so it seemed like it was time to part ways. Other than that, I really don't care as long as they follow the rules and pick up on time. 
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#14
08-26-2016, 07:06 PM
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Yes, it is so frustrating. I think because it is my most challenging child and of course the one that is always here and always here the latest. I don't mind that dcm brings her on her day off because I get that she has one day every other week to run errands (get pedicures) whatever. What bothers me most is that all of my other kids are gone at 4:30 and mom will still come at 5:30. I would just appreciate that she took me into consideration and twice a month let me have an extra hour for myself and my family.
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#15
08-26-2016, 07:13 PM
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*troll mode*
I don't work (not since August 9, thank you). DD goes to daycare 8 - 4 Mo-Fri.  *troll mode over* where is facepalm smiley?..
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#16
08-26-2016, 07:39 PM
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If it bothers you that the child is there from the minute you open until the minute you close create a new policy. Perhaps you can do the structured rates like BlackCat does where it is more expensive the longer you're there. Perhaps you only offer care until 5:00pm during the summertime. Get to thinking about what would make you happy and try to see if you can't make it work.
As for the photos, I would start creating a collage in the PicCollage app with a photo of their child and others and put your daycares name at the bottom. At least then if they're posting it you can consider it free advertising.
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#17
08-27-2016, 05:53 AM
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I didn't like that I was open an extra 75 minutes for 1 child whose mom was home and who was meltdown city for the last hour. No amount of money was worth it. I wanted the time for my own kids. So I changed it. I 'restructured'.In your situation, I would implement a policy that summer care hours are only until x o'clock. "Effective June 2017, ABC Daycare will be operating on our reduced summer hours and will close at 4:30 pm. Regular business hours will resume September 2017." Just change it. She's not working so it won't affect her at all.
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#19
08-27-2016, 08:54 PM
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I say if it bothers you do something about it.
Some providers offer teachers a different contract then year round working parents. They charge a little more weekly in exchange they do not charge during school breaks and the children do not attend. Then the provider can enjoy a lighter week or take a drop in during the breaks. For summer break you could fill the spot just for the summer or allow teacher kids to attend at the same rate but for shorter hours. It is your business, if you are not happy change it. Ex of rates: $25 per day - $30 per day for teachers - $40 for drop in per day
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#20
08-28-2016, 05:34 AM
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Personally, I couldn't do it. I opened my daycare because I hated being away from my oldest son when he was a baby. But I really try not to focus on what other parents are doing while their children are here, its really none of my business as long as they pay on time and follow the rules.
The way I see it, I'm getting paid to have their children, my boys LOVE "having their friends over" and I get to spend time with my own boys all day, so for me a full attendance is a win/win.
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#21
08-28-2016, 07:54 AM
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I did offer them a deifrerent deal. In March I started talking to them about coming less or not at all and that I would definitely decrease their rate or even hold the spot with no charge since I knew I could fill the spots with a kid that would come for less hours . But the mom was offended and said that they wanted to keep the same times and that I never told them that their kid would be expected to come less during the summer and that's one of the reasons they chose me. So i apologized and dropped itt. But During the interview I did tell Them that they would be offered reduced rates during summer and/or they could leave for the summer because I knew they would want to spend time with their kid. They were receptive and we moved on. What they never told me is that they had no intention of ever reducing hours. So they literally drop their kid off and have "me" time for over 50 hours every week. The rational side of me says not to worry about it but the mom side of me says these parents are really missing out and their child is suffering because of it. I'm baffled too. Every other teacher family stays home with their kids for the whole summer. I have one family that does a drop in once a week just to run errands but that's it. Why do people have kids that they don't want to raise?
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#22
08-28-2016, 08:04 AM
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A repeated solution is to tailor your business to only those parents that parent according to your ideas and beliefs.
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#23
08-28-2016, 10:33 AM
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Unfortunately, like BC said, I think the only solution to the issue is implementing policies that align with your values. This could be: year round graduated rates, (rates based on pick up) becoming a work only childcare, reducing summer hours, or whatever works for you.
__________________
http://creatingpreschoolenvironments.blogspot.com
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#25
08-28-2016, 12:39 PM
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I get paid for services rendered. What parents do during that time is none of my business. I just try and do my job and make sure the kids have a good time while here.
I've been at this for over 30 years now. Things have changed. 30 years ago, people had real families. They spent time together. They did things together. They brought their kids to daycare when they HAD to work and they actually liked being around them and were willing to take responsibility for them. Nowadays, it's all about the IMAGE of family. I have so many parents who dump their kids with me every single possible moment they can. But they never fail to post a pic on FB of their cutie in their new pj's at bedtime for example and then bask in posts saying "Oh, you're such a good mom!" and "I don't know how you do it all!" I've just come to accept that this is the new parenting. Show them off like a cute accessory, but let somebody else take care of them as much as possible. It is what it is. No point in stressing over it. Just pay me on time.
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#26
08-28-2016, 01:26 PM
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I have come to realize that a lot of parents really don't enjoy being a parent 24/7. I'm on a lot of different mommy boards and when moms start complaining that they're stressed about staying with their kids all day and getting the housework done, people reply with "get a job! It's like a break from your kids!" We find this hard to understand because we choose to do this as a living, but this is the demographic were serving! It's not their fault, they just aren't equipped to do it. I am slowly finding thanks to this board, that we don't have to be stuck. If you don't like staying open for that one family... Then don't! I just started taking all school breaks because one family is a teacher and one doesn't work. I didn't like working those breaks when I knew the parents were home, so now I don't. I'll also be opening late next summer and only working 4 days a week. You do you and don't worry about them.
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#27
08-29-2016, 04:45 AM
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Also, I repeatedly see this idea that it's somehow the clients responsibility to give you a break from their kids. When you worked outside the home did your job ever say to you "you look tired, take the day off!" I'm willing to bet not! Unlike working outside the home, here YOU are the boss and you have control over this. There is NO way I'd work an extra hour a day for ONE kid. Not because I care what the parents are doing, but because it costs me money to work and I still have to follow strict regs regardless of if I have one kid here or seven. Others have already given you great ideas on how to go about this. My suggestion is to decide if you want to make the changes and then just do it. Don't ask persmission because it gives the client the false sense of being the boss. Good Luck!
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#28
08-29-2016, 07:51 AM
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My point is, the dcp is not technically doing anything wrong or against the rules, but it can still be annoying. I agree that the only way to "fix" it is to tailor your daycare to fit your needs or wants out of DC parents. The parents will not change unless they have no option. But I understand the OPs feelings. Just part of the job
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#29
08-29-2016, 07:53 AM
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I agree!
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#30
08-29-2016, 07:57 AM
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#31
08-29-2016, 08:08 AM
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Just wanted to make the point that it is not child care specific. Many other businesses complain about their clients use of their services. The biggest thing is to make changes to rid yourself of whatever is leading to the complaint. Otherwise, you might as well hit your head against a brick wall, since it is probably more effective than complaining
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#32
08-29-2016, 08:22 AM
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__________________
Children are little angels, even when they are little devils. They are also our future.
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#33
08-29-2016, 08:29 AM
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I only care about this business. In this business you (general you) as the owner of the business get to make the rules. If you don't like what's happening, don't participate or allow it. It really is that simple and it has nothing to do with other business practices or employees (like you mentioned in your post) that have no say in what the business does or allows.
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#34
08-29-2016, 08:31 AM
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Last edited by Blackcat31; 08-29-2016 at 09:24 AM.
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#35
08-29-2016, 11:28 AM
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2. People who pay for full-time services and follow their contracts. 3. Unfollow them. Don't look at their page. You can't change their habits or emotions, only yours.  4. "Apparently" is a huge grey area. It is apparent from my facebook page that I only like one of my kids. I get passive aggressive memes from acquaintances about it from time to time . The truth is my teen boys have banished me from so much as utterring a syllable about their lives on facebook or they will shave their heads and join the circus. My DD, however, tags me in her photos. Really, stop looking. Stop keeping score. Take back your peace. Take plenty of time off. Charge what you are worth. Enforce your policies. Everything else will look better then. 
__________________
- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.
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#36
08-29-2016, 11:47 AM
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#37
08-30-2016, 12:20 PM
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#38
08-30-2016, 12:49 PM
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Yup! But they pay full time so I don't feel I have the right to judge how they spend their time. If they were first drop off and last pick up every day I'd probably be annoyed but they pick up early whenever they can.
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