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daycarediva 03:58 PM 02-26-2013
Sending home a policy update that I will no longer be accepting phone calls or texts after hours. ?

I have two dcp's who do this CONSTANTLY and everything they ask is something that can wait. I send home a thorough daily report and ALWAYS tell them anything out of the ordinary.

One dcb didn't nap AT ALL today and his mother has been texting and calling me NON STOP since 6pm because he is cranky. Um, read the sheet!!!!!!!

Another dcg lost a stinking hair clip (the kind I DONT ALLOW,which they have KNOWN, it is in her cubby) and Mom thought it was necessary to BOMB my phone with 8 texts about it since I didn't answer her RIGHT BACK. SERIOUSLY?

I HAVE A LIFE.
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blandino 04:03 PM 02-26-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
Sending home a policy update that I will no longer be accepting phone calls or texts after hours. ?

I have two dcp's who do this CONSTANTLY and everything they ask is something that can wait. I send home a thorough daily report and ALWAYS tell them anything out of the ordinary.

One dcb didn't nap AT ALL today and his mother has been texting and calling me NON STOP since 6pm because he is cranky. Um, read the sheet!!!!!!!

Another dcg lost a stinking hair clip (the kind I DONT ALLOW,which they have KNOWN, it is in her cubby) and Mom thought it was necessary to BOMB my phone with 8 texts about it since I didn't answer her RIGHT BACK. SERIOUSLY?

I HAVE A LIFE.
I have SOOOO been thinking of this lately. Some texts from parents I totally don't mind - the cute ones that say DCK were doing something cute they learned at daycare. But the unnecessary ones really get me - or the ones at 6:30 am while I am getting ready.... DRIVE ME BANANAS.

I have half a mind to not answer them until business hours the next day. MarinaVanessa was talking about a Google service that allows you to get a business number that will just forward phone calls to your number. I'm not sure if you can turn it off for business hours - but wouldn't that be nice
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daycarediva 04:06 PM 02-26-2013
Well, I know it's not much, but my kid free sanity is working out. I stopped four times tonight at the gym to answer/get parent texts.

I keep checking because it could be dh and my kids were home not feeling the greatest.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 04:09 PM 02-26-2013
I sent home a notice stating that I reserve the hours that I am not working for my family so all text messages, phone calls, and e-mails made outside of my business hours (7:00am-6:00pm, the children are only present from 8:00-5:00) will be returned the following day. I stick to this no matter what and it has made a huge difference.
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Play Care 04:25 PM 02-26-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I sent home a notice stating that I reserve the hours that I am not working for my family so all text messages, phone calls, and e-mails made outside of my business hours (7:00am-6:00pm, the children are only present from 8:00-5:00) will be returned the following day. I stick to this no matter what and it has made a huge difference.

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countrymom 04:40 PM 02-26-2013
this is why I don't give them my cell phone number. Also I just wouldn't answer it. Let them text you, shut it off.
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My3cents 04:58 PM 02-26-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
Sending home a policy update that I will no longer be accepting phone calls or texts after hours. ?

I have two dcp's who do this CONSTANTLY and everything they ask is something that can wait. I send home a thorough daily report and ALWAYS tell them anything out of the ordinary.

One dcb didn't nap AT ALL today and his mother has been texting and calling me NON STOP since 6pm because he is cranky. Um, read the sheet!!!!!!!

Another dcg lost a stinking hair clip (the kind I DONT ALLOW,which they have KNOWN, it is in her cubby) and Mom thought it was necessary to BOMB my phone with 8 texts about it since I didn't answer her RIGHT BACK. SERIOUSLY?

I HAVE A LIFE.
I would address it as-My life after the daycare is closed needs to be time for me and my family. Please do not call and or text, unless it is extremely important and can not wait till the next day of care. I appreciate your understanding in this matter.

Simple and to the point. Then if they did do this have your answer machine on, and don't text back till the next day when your operating hours are on.
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wahmof3 05:40 PM 02-26-2013
Originally Posted by countrymom:
this is why I don't give them my cell phone number. Also I just wouldn't answer it. Let them text you, shut it off.
I try to not answer it & just let them text--- but what I get is this:

?

and then this:

?

IMO- that's so rude!
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cheerfuldom 05:41 PM 02-26-2013
Be specific about what they can text or call about after hours. and be clear that you will answer at your convenience and only if you deem it necessary.

Basically if the schedule for the following day is altered (or they need to ask permission about next days schedule change) or if their child is ill and will not attend. Anything else must wait until the next morning at drop off.

If they choose to disregard the policy, you will enforce fees. I would do $3 per unnecessary text or call (whether you respond or not)
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Lucy 05:58 PM 02-26-2013
Originally Posted by wahmof3:
I try to not answer it & just let them text--- but what I get is this:

?

and then this:

?

IMO- that's so rude!
Text back:

Sorry, I was at a funeral.

Sorry, I was at the Gynecologist.

Sorry, my husband and I were having a quickie.

Sorry, I've had diarrhea.

Or better yet.... Sorry, I was in a callback interview for a new job.
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wahmof3 06:01 PM 02-26-2013
Originally Posted by Lucy:
Text back:

Sorry, I was at a funeral.

Sorry, I was at the Gynecologist.

Sorry, my husband and I were having a quickie.

Sorry, I've had diarrhea.

Or better yet.... Sorry, I was in a callback interview for a new job.


this is great!!
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DayCareDiva30 06:16 PM 02-26-2013
Originally Posted by Lucy:
Text back:

Sorry, I was at a funeral.

Sorry, I was at the Gynecologist.

Sorry, my husband and I were having a quickie.

Sorry, I've had diarrhea.

Or better yet.... Sorry, I was in a callback interview for a new job.


I was thinking about sending out a notice about texting after a certain time. I don't mind answering a quick text if you texting to say your child will be absence the next day or grandma will be dropping off in the morning, but texting at 10pm right as I'm drifting off to sleep to ask if your child left their binky is too much!
I wish parents would thing about how they would feel if they boss or coworkers texted them at all hours about stuff that could wait. SMH
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nanglgrl 11:18 PM 02-26-2013
Just start texting them about stuff throughout the evening or early in the morning.
12:30 a.m. :
"Hey Sue I just noticed you left little Sue's finger paint art in her cubby. I know how much you worry about stuff being left here, if you want to come by now and get it I will put it on the porch"
5 a.m. :
"Hey Jane we will be having crackers and cheese for snack today in case you're wondering!"
Or you could just text throughout the day:
"Bobby just ate breakfast"
"Bobby just played blocks"
"Bobby ate 7 of his peas"
....Of course I'm just joking but man would it be fun. I once had a person call me at 1 a.m. because their child left a pacifier at my house and they wanted to come and get it. I was so mad!
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LittleD 04:45 AM 02-27-2013
What you could do is instead of have a info sheet, have an agenda. A notebook the child brings home everyday. The parents have to read and sign the agenda daily and any questions or concerns can be asked in the agenda. You could tape the info sheet in there if you want, but it could take up more space that way.

Put a letter/note in the front saying "Please use this agenda to ask any questions or concerns as I will no longer accept texts or calls after hours. "

You can use the agenda to refer to policies they are breaking (Much easier to scold in writing then face to face for some people )
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Springdaze 05:07 AM 02-27-2013
I would think that just telling them they wont be answered until the next day unless its an emergency would be best. Maybe answer up to an hour after they leave. Obviously it is important enough to them to be rude enough to bother you at all hours, so telling them only important things would not be enough.
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daycarediva 05:20 AM 02-27-2013
Originally Posted by nanglgrl:
Just start texting them about stuff throughout the evening or early in the morning.
12:30 a.m. :
"Hey Sue I just noticed you left little Sue's finger paint art in her cubby. I know how much you worry about stuff being left here, if you want to come by now and get it I will put it on the porch"
5 a.m. :
"Hey Jane we will be having crackers and cheese for snack today in case you're wondering!"
Or you could just text throughout the day:
"Bobby just ate breakfast"
"Bobby just played blocks"
"Bobby ate 7 of his peas"
....Of course I'm just joking but man would it be fun. I once had a person call me at 1 a.m. because their child left a pacifier at my house and they wanted to come and get it. I was so mad!

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Evansmom 05:25 AM 02-27-2013
I love this thread! I just added a policy like this to my contract. It drives me crazy when parents don't respect my boundaries as a person! It's really not rocket science to think I may have a life

I once had a mom call late at night because her daughter forgot her headband and he wanted to be sure I put it in a safe place. I made sure to mention the head band several times the next day and the location of it in her bag when they left to reassure her fully that it was safe. This from a parent that sent her 3 year old to play at my house in platform flip-flops where she would trip every 5 seconds. (Of course I stopped allowing those!). Your daughter is scraped up from falling but don't worry her headband is safe...jeez.
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laundrymom 05:36 AM 02-27-2013
One word answers.

K
Cubby
Yes
No nap

Ex.
I can't fine Sarah's blue ribbon.
Cubby


Jonah is very fussy, was he ok today?
Read sheet. No nap



If you feel the need to give a formal notice about it just say

Notice to all families.

To insure the continued safety of myself and my family, I may not respond to texts or phone calls after hours in the timely manner I do during the day. I refuse to text while driving and routinely leave my phone behind or turned off when I'm not working. Ill respond ASAP but this may be late into the evening or early in the morning when I turn my phone back on. Thanks for understanding

After a few 230am responses they might stop asking you to hold their hand.
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MyAngels 05:36 AM 02-27-2013
I would say something like this:

This is just a reminder that my business hours are 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Because of the recent drastic increase in non-emergency phone calls and texts outside of those hours I have decided that I will no longer accept any non-emergency phone calls or texts between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.

If you need to let me know that your child will not attend for the day please do so after 6:30 a.m.

Or (If you have a home phone) If you need to let me know that your child will not attend for the day you may call my home phone number (***-***-***X) and leave a detailed message if your call is not answered.

Thank you.


Then I would set their ringtone on my phone to "silent."
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countrymom 05:43 AM 02-27-2013
the problem is going to be that you either nix it all together or you allow it. By allowing inbetween your still going to have a problem on hand. My rule is that you cannot call me after daycare hours (5pm) and you can't call me on the weekend either. You need to talk to me, then its only during my hours. I need to have this seperation otherwise its for quick burnout too if all I do is think about daycare. I just don't understand why you just can't tell them no phone calls or texting and if it continues then you need to add money per text and call, money speaks volumes.
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MotherNature 05:49 AM 02-27-2013
Originally Posted by Evansmom:
I once had a mom call late at night because her daughter forgot her headband and he wanted to be sure I put it in a safe place. I made sure to mention the head band several times the next day and the location of it in her bag when they left to reassure her fully that it was safe. This from a parent that sent her 3 year old to play at my house in platform flip-flops where she would trip every 5 seconds. (Of course I stopped allowing those!). Your daughter is scraped up from falling but don't worry her headband is safe...jeez.

What goes on in some people's heads?
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wabbittrouble 06:21 AM 02-27-2013
You teach people how to treat you. I would tell the ones who abuse it that you will not answer texts or phone calls during evening/weeend hours. Period. No sense getting all formal and writing blanket rules for everyone. The people who abuse me get NO answer whatsoever EVER. Train them like a dog....
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Cat Herder 06:34 AM 02-27-2013
I have asked nicely in person. I have demanded in person.

I have sent notices. I have posted notices.

I have sent reminders. I have posted reminders.

I have busted a caps lock in their general direction, repeatedly.

I have used every shade of highlighter and every bold computer font I have access to.

None of that worked.

I stopped responding or acknowledging the off hours (non-emergency) contacts a couple years ago.

Worked like magic.
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Blackcat31 06:39 AM 02-27-2013
I just tell them. Nicely, rudely, bluntly, in text, in person whatever fits the situation I guess.

I heard though that the new i-phone 5 allows you to make call lists where you can separate your contacts in groups like on FB and then only turn the ringer on or off for specific groups.

I make it VERY VERY clear during the interview that I do NOTHING child care related after business hours. I provide an answering machine so the parents can leave messages if they feel they must but otherwise, when I am not on the clock, I am not taking or replying to anything daycare related.
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TheGoodLife 07:09 AM 02-27-2013
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
I have asked nicely in person. I have demanded in person.

I have sent notices. I have posted notices.

I have sent reminders. I have posted reminders.

I have busted a caps lock in their general direction, repeatedly.

I have used every shade of highlighter and every bold computer font I have access to.

None of that worked.

I stopped responding or acknowledging the off hours (non-emergency) contacts a couple years ago.

Worked like magic.

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daycarediva 09:32 AM 02-27-2013
Like a pp, if I don't respond QUICKLY, I get

?

?

*repeated text*

If I don't respond at ALL, I get ^ plus the phone calls start! It's driving me INSANE! It wasn't so bad before, and it didn't bother me if I got a text when a parent forgot their take home sheet and said "Sorry to bother you, forgot dcb's sheet, he is cranky this evening, did he nap ok for you?" and I could respond with "Looked at sheet, 1:00-1:45 only." and the dcp would say "Thank you, have a nice evening!" but I have some pretty high needs dcp's at the moment.

I really think my ONLY option to really solve it once and for all, is to get a separate cell for daycare use ONLY and then TURN IT OFF.
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Cat Herder 11:12 AM 02-27-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
Like a pp, if I don't respond QUICKLY, I get

?

?

*repeated text*

If I don't respond at ALL, I get ^ plus the phone calls start! It's driving me INSANE! It wasn't so bad before, and it didn't bother me if I got a text when a parent forgot their take home sheet and said "Sorry to bother you, forgot dcb's sheet, he is cranky this evening, did he nap ok for you?" and I could respond with "Looked at sheet, 1:00-1:45 only." and the dcp would say "Thank you, have a nice evening!" but I have some pretty high needs dcp's at the moment.

I really think my ONLY option to really solve it once and for all, is to get a separate cell for daycare use ONLY and then TURN IT OFF.
Can you just refer family and friends to another number after hours for a while?

My family knows if I am not responding after closing or on weekends that they should send DH a text. The text usually goes to the effect of "I guess *** has another drama mama. Have her give me a call when she can... lol"

It won't take too long. I only have to go back to it when I enroll new families for a bit. Now, I give my own family a heads up text when I have a clinger and take the phones off the hook....

Even my kids teachers laugh about it. It happens to them, too, believe it or not...
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ABCDaycareMN 11:34 AM 02-27-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
Like a pp, if I don't respond QUICKLY, I get

?

?

*repeated text*

If I don't respond at ALL, I get ^ plus the phone calls start! It's driving me INSANE! It wasn't so bad before, and it didn't bother me if I got a text when a parent forgot their take home sheet and said "Sorry to bother you, forgot dcb's sheet, he is cranky this evening, did he nap ok for you?" and I could respond with "Looked at sheet, 1:00-1:45 only." and the dcp would say "Thank you, have a nice evening!" but I have some pretty high needs dcp's at the moment.

I really think my ONLY option to really solve it once and for all, is to get a separate cell for daycare use ONLY and then TURN IT OFF.

If you get a separate cell for I would just use your current number for daycare use and give family friends your new number.
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wdmmom 11:44 AM 02-27-2013
I would suggest getting a prepaid cell and give the number out as the "AFTER HOURS/EMERGENCY number". I would leave it on silent or turn it off from 5pm to 659am.
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blandino 07:04 PM 03-04-2013
I thought of you all today. This morning I had a DCM text me at 6:13 (I open at 7:00). To ask if it " was okay if she sent apple juice for her son to drink today since milk is upsetting his stomach".

Um just send the apple juice anyway... And if I use it, I use it.

From now on, phone calls and texts will be answered during business hours.
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SuperNinjaMommy 09:33 AM 03-05-2013
I recently had this problem and sent out a reminder sheet of all the rules to make it not be so obvious. I wrote:

Texts and phone calls during the day to check on your child is completely fine however, please keep in mind that I might not be able to respond right away. Any emergencies such as sickness or injuries will be communicated immediately. The care of your children is my number one priority and texts and phone calls does not allow me to give them my full attention. Also, texts and phone call not during daycare hours are only for absolute emergencies or reporting a schedule change. Remember that I am a wife and mother and we value that family time.
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LittleD 10:35 AM 03-05-2013
Text back "I do not accept texts or calls between X and X hours. This is an automated message"

And if they txt something again, copy and paste msg above and keep doing it til they stop
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Tags:phone call, policy, texting
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