I have a DCM that I have know for almost 10 years and have done daycare for her children for about 6 months. She often makes comments about how expensive I am and how I charge too much and then laughs. At first I thought she was just joking but she does it so often I'm starting to think that she's not. (I recently did some investigating and found that I am one of the cheaper daycares in town.) Now she's started saying things like "that's okay, I'll just take it out of your pay." when I tell her things like 'sorry DCB's shoes got muddy today.'

I'm getting kind of tired of hearing these things. How would you handle this? This person is my neighbor as well so things have to go well in order to keep the peace!

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Why not just be straight with her?
DCM, when you make comments like (these comments) it makes me feel you do not value me/ my services as a provider. If you do not feel you are getting appropriate services from me, please feel free to move on. Otherwise, I would really appreciate if those comments stopped.

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Exactly. Call her on her rude comments! We are not paid enough to deal with rude adults.

I would likely say,"Really? I am one of the cheapest daycares in town." if she commented on how expensive it was and stare at her.'

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I agree, otherwise you hold in these feelings and then it hurts you and they continue the behavior not knowing how much it hurts you. I may even give her some prices for other local daycares and let her know you're not the most expensive by any means and you take pride in what you do. I'm not sure what your charge, but in some areas the rates seem to be double what they are in the Midwest. On the "Basic rates" thread you can see that some people charge as little as $15-21/day and some charge as much as $45-50/day. That's a HUGE variance. I would definitely throw something in there next time like "I'm starting to think you aren't happy with our agreement with the comments you keep making about my fees." and go from there. Most of the time, people like her, will say "Oh I was just kidding!! Sorry!!" and turn it back around on you like YOU are being too sensitive and she's just being funny! Just say you don't find personal insults funny.

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Give her the same comments. "Hey mom, daycare boy got really muddy when outside today and tracked mud through my house. Don't worry, I'll just add the extra clean up to your bill!" Then smile.

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ABSOLUTELY!! Do not allow her to be so rude about what you do.

I would even go so far and turn it around on her and ask her if she wants the best for her child or not... after all, most parents that DO care about quality care for their child are willing to pay for that quality.

Next time she makes a rude comment, tell her exactly how rude it is and how it makes you feel like she does not appreciate the GOOD love and care you provide to her child.

"and yes, DCM kids ARE expensive."......

Most people understand that concept BEFORE having kids.

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Next time he says you're expensive I would say "You'd be surprised! I'm actually the cheapest around"

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I would say to her well sorry you feel that way but in reality my prices are less than most of the other daycares in the area but if you feel that you can find a better price with the same level of care feel free.

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Yep!

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Geeze...I'm sorry you feel that way! You probably won't be happy then because I have decided to give myself a raise!! I recently found out that I am not even comparable with the other providers in town and I value myself too much to short change myself.

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If I had my on DC, I would probably say, " Kids are expensive so if you want another one you might want to think about it".

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