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daycarediva 10:16 AM 11-09-2016
On Monday evening I had the WORST interview I have had in a long time. They arrived 20 minutes early (I had a child here still), so I told them that they would have to wait in their car until our appointment time, since I do not do interviews with children in care.

They brought the infant sibling along, that's fine. BUT they didn't WATCH the crawling infant at all, and I kept awkwardly removing small items from her hands (eg. brother was playing with a Lego center I have on the table, dropped a Lego, baby picked it up and parents did nothing). When I did remove the item, she screamed/yelled in protest and the mother PICKED UP A LEGO and HANDED IT TO HER INFANT TO CHEW. I had to speak up and say that I was concerned it was a choking hazard.

Mom is a SAHM with a mothers helper 3 days/week. They were interested in my drop in/1 day/week space. She wants brother to come on one of the days her helper is there. The helper would do drop off/pick ups. I would never see either parent. The Mom kept saying the available day wrong. I kept correcting her. She said "Oh but my helper isn't scheduled on that day. I can't POSSIBLY drop off son with daughter, too." Dad suggests they switch the mothers helper days around when I said I could not change my entire schedule. Mom agrees that COULD work.

Child had some obvious speech delay and I suspect a gross motor delay as well. At 4, he couldn't manage going DOWN the three small steps off my porch.

Everything was posed to him as a question. "Would you like to leave now?" when I wrapped up the interview, for instance. "Would you like to wear your jacket?" (it was cold and raining). Of course, NO was the answer so the parents tried to STAY and let him play "You can chose one more activity." and I had to say "Unfortunately I have obligations and need to close for the evening."

I say I'm conducting interviews, I'll let you know when I make a decision.

Last night, the emails started.

The Mom writes "child'sweirdname has some concerns. Child likes to chose his meals for the day. Can you make substitutions for him? If not, we will bring his meals, they will just need to be warmed. Child would like a couch for himself to rest and relax in. Will child have his own couch? (I have two, they fit three kids). Child would prefer a morning snack as we have at home, can you change your meals to accomodate? Child does not nap, so he would like some special time with his new teacher while the other children nap."

I reply, and we go back and forth, ad nauseam

I finally said that I didn't think it would be a good fit, that I appreciated their interest in my program and gave them some 1/2 day, 2 day week program options in our area. Thank you, best of luck, nice meeting you.

Mom replies just now with

"Thank you for those suggestions. We would like child to start next week, my helper will be coming with him for the first few weeks to acclimate him to your colorful space, and to help you understand child's quiet yet advanced speech. We will pack his meals and I will write directions in his bag."

My next email.

I have already filled the space with another child. Best of luck to you in finding child care that better meets child's needs.

I REALLY need to get away from this area. To top if off, this mom is friends with another of my moms. This mom told current dcm that the child was coming here. Awkward conversation last night about how I haven't made a decision yet.

And no, I don't have the space filled yet.
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Ariana 10:24 AM 11-09-2016
What the heck just happened

Where are all the normal people "acclimate him to your colorful space"???? "Can he have his own couch"????
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Josiegirl 10:43 AM 11-09-2016
That is so absurd all I can do is laugh!
Have fun finding care mom.

And that's no snowflake...that's the 'Chosen One'.
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Leigh 10:45 AM 11-09-2016
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
On Monday evening I had the WORST interview I have had in a long time. They arrived 20 minutes early (I had a child here still), so I told them that they would have to wait in their car until our appointment time, since I do not do interviews with children in care.

They brought the infant sibling along, that's fine. BUT they didn't WATCH the crawling infant at all, and I kept awkwardly removing small items from her hands (eg. brother was playing with a Lego center I have on the table, dropped a Lego, baby picked it up and parents did nothing). When I did remove the item, she screamed/yelled in protest and the mother PICKED UP A LEGO and HANDED IT TO HER INFANT TO CHEW. I had to speak up and say that I was concerned it was a choking hazard.

Mom is a SAHM with a mothers helper 3 days/week. They were interested in my drop in/1 day/week space. She wants brother to come on one of the days her helper is there. The helper would do drop off/pick ups. I would never see either parent. The Mom kept saying the available day wrong. I kept correcting her. She said "Oh but my helper isn't scheduled on that day. I can't POSSIBLY drop off son with daughter, too." Dad suggests they switch the mothers helper days around when I said I could not change my entire schedule. Mom agrees that COULD work.

Child had some obvious speech delay and I suspect a gross motor delay as well. At 4, he couldn't manage going DOWN the three small steps off my porch.

Everything was posed to him as a question. "Would you like to leave now?" when I wrapped up the interview, for instance. "Would you like to wear your jacket?" (it was cold and raining). Of course, NO was the answer so the parents tried to STAY and let him play "You can chose one more activity." and I had to say "Unfortunately I have obligations and need to close for the evening."

I say I'm conducting interviews, I'll let you know when I make a decision.

Last night, the emails started.

The Mom writes "child'sweirdname has some concerns. Child likes to chose his meals for the day. Can you make substitutions for him? If not, we will bring his meals, they will just need to be warmed. Child would like a couch for himself to rest and relax in. Will child have his own couch? (I have two, they fit three kids). Child would prefer a morning snack as we have at home, can you change your meals to accomodate? Child does not nap, so he would like some special time with his new teacher while the other children nap."

I reply, and we go back and forth, ad nauseam

I finally said that I didn't think it would be a good fit, that I appreciated their interest in my program and gave them some 1/2 day, 2 day week program options in our area. Thank you, best of luck, nice meeting you.

Mom replies just now with

"Thank you for those suggestions. We would like child to start next week, my helper will be coming with him for the first few weeks to acclimate him to your colorful space, and to help you understand child's quiet yet advanced speech. We will pack his meals and I will write directions in his bag."

My next email.

I have already filled the space with another child. Best of luck to you in finding child care that better meets child's needs.

I REALLY need to get away from this area. To top if off, this mom is friends with another of my moms. This mom told current dcm that the child was coming here. Awkward conversation last night about how I haven't made a decision yet.

And no, I don't have the space filled yet.
That woman totally wins crazy this week! OMG, I couldn't imagine!
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TigerLily 10:52 AM 11-09-2016
I have no words.
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daycarediva 10:59 AM 11-09-2016
The whole thing was bizarre! Those are just the MAJOR red flags.

I have more and more interviews leaning this way in the last year. Nannies, nannies for ALL!
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MissAnn 11:17 AM 11-09-2016
Everything is a deal breaker.

I really want to know his weird name! Please???????
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Rockgirl 11:52 AM 11-09-2016
It almost seems like she read these boards for awhile, then set up an interview just for kicks!
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happymom 11:58 AM 11-09-2016
This is so humorous.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 12:02 PM 11-09-2016
Originally Posted by MissAnn:
Everything is a deal breaker.

I really want to know his weird name! Please???????
All of that was weird. All of it. I also want to know the weird name.
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Blackcat31 12:03 PM 11-09-2016
I cant decide if I want to post or
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spedmommy4 12:22 PM 11-09-2016
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I cant decide if I want to post or
Agreed. This wins for the most outrageous requests I've ever heard. I will add a for good measure.
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Baby Beluga 01:02 PM 11-09-2016
You win the award for worst interview of the week (dare I say month?)
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e.j. 02:54 PM 11-09-2016
Originally Posted by Baby Beluga:
You win the award for worst interview of the week (dare I say month?)
How about "Lifetime"?!

Makes me appreciate my own dc families!
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Ariana 05:32 PM 11-09-2016
Why do the special snowflakes always have weird names?!?

I just had a special snowflake who was named after a very expensive car
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MunchkinWrangler 08:21 PM 11-09-2016
Speechless!!!

And truly doesn't understand mother's helpers to be honest...I mean it seems so spoiled. Literally shaking my head!!
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lovemydaycare0912 08:41 PM 11-09-2016
So after you told her no she just totally ignored it. Geez. Big balls.
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midaycare 03:37 AM 11-10-2016
"Nannies! Nannies for all!" Bwah ha ha!
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daycarediva 05:37 AM 11-10-2016
Weird name? Tennyson. Middle name was Atreayu (sp?)

They called him Tennyson Atreayu the entire time, too. They also had a very long last name. Poor kid.

That's probably judgmental of me, but idk, it's just odd.
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childcaremom 05:44 AM 11-10-2016
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
Weird name? Tennyson. Middle name was Atreayu (sp?)

They called him Tennyson Atreayu the entire time, too. They also had a very long last name. Poor kid.

That's probably judgmental of me, but idk, it's just odd.
I don't know about Tennyson but Atreyu is from Neverending Story.
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Snowmom 07:03 AM 11-10-2016
Originally Posted by childcaremom:
I don't know about Tennyson but Atreyu is from Neverending Story.
That's what popped in my head too.

Just wow.
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Leigh 07:25 AM 11-10-2016
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
Weird name? Tennyson. Middle name was Atreayu (sp?)

They called him Tennyson Atreayu the entire time, too. They also had a very long last name. Poor kid.

That's probably judgmental of me, but idk, it's just odd.
A special snowflake DESERVES a special name, don't you think?
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daycare 07:46 AM 11-10-2016
Hey did you move by me. This is the norm of what I constantly see.

I've had a parent tell me that I couldn't tell their child no EVER

I had a family that wanted grandma to attend with child. Wth

Another requested special tutoring, that one was supper funny

But girl yours wins by far. I need my own couch and special time with my teacher. Hahahaha
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SquirrellyMama 08:01 AM 11-10-2016
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
to help you understand child's quiet yet advanced speech.


That's a good one.

Kelly
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Rockgirl 08:18 AM 11-10-2016
Originally Posted by SquirrellyMama:


That's a good one.

Kelly
That part made me laugh, too! If child's speech is advanced, why would the helper need to come along to help the provider learn to understand him? Hmm.....
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daycarediva 08:41 AM 11-10-2016
Originally Posted by Rockgirl:
That part made me laugh, too! If child's speech is advanced, why would the helper need to come along to help the provider learn to understand him? Hmm.....


There was an OBVIOUS delay. Most of his speech was incomprehensible.

And they plan to homeschool. So there will be no ST.
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SquirrellyMama 09:16 AM 11-10-2016
Originally Posted by daycarediva:


There was an OBVIOUS delay. Most of his speech was incomprehensible.

And they plan to homeschool. So there will be no ST.
I know HS who get ST for there kids. Now, these parents sound like they have their heads in the sand, so I could see this kid not getting therapy.

Kelly
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Mom2Two 05:34 PM 11-10-2016
Originally Posted by daycarediva:


There was an OBVIOUS delay. Most of his speech was incomprehensible.

And they plan to homeschool. So there will be no ST.

We homeschool our youngest and she gets speech therapy. She's technically enrolled in a school district's eSchool as a distance ed student, and she has online speech. I also work with her everyday at home.

If you ever need to, you can explain that having parents have a child repeat a word that they're working on "in the moment" is very powerful. And no, having daycare do that isn't sufficienct--parent's need to do it too.
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daycarediva 05:13 AM 11-11-2016
It wasn't a bash at homeschoolers. We homeschooled DD for a bit and loved it. Yes, I know ST is available to anyone. My point was that they didn't see an issue, so they weren't seeking help, because the child wouldn't be enrolled in PS, the teacher wouldn't be able to make a referral.

I have had my own kids in ST, and I can make strides with it, but you're absolutely right. Parents need to be helping the child all of the time at home as well to see the most impact.
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CalCare 07:00 AM 11-11-2016
I'm waiting for the update that the mother's helper showed up one morning, with the boy and all his stuff, ready to drop off! Lol I can see it now. You'll be saying "no", and she'll be saying, "Well the Mom said to drop off."
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daycarediva 08:15 AM 11-11-2016
Originally Posted by CalCare:
I'm waiting for the update that the mother's helper showed up one morning, with the boy and all his stuff, ready to drop off! Lol I can see it now. You'll be saying "no", and she'll be saying, "Well the Mom said to drop off."
They wanted to start yesterday and I sent the (I have already filled the space with another child. Best of luck to you in finding child care that better meets child's needs.) email.

She has sent subsequent emails asking about paperwork and forms. I haven't responded.
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Baby Beluga 08:17 AM 11-11-2016
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
They wanted to start yesterday and I sent the (I have already filled the space with another child. Best of luck to you in finding child care that better meets child's needs.) email.

She has sent subsequent emails asking about paperwork and forms. I haven't responded.
I was wondering how she took the second rejection email. Sounds like mom is not used to being told no.
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daycarediva 08:23 AM 11-11-2016
Originally Posted by Baby Beluga:
I was wondering how she took the second rejection email. Sounds like mom is not used to being told no.
In her defense, she has never enrolled in child care before. I don't think she quite grasped that it was MY decision to enroll him, not HERS.

But now....Once I explained that I had other interviews and would let her know what I decided, once I offered her alternate child care options, once I flat out said the space was filled, I thought she got it. Apparently not.
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Rockgirl 08:51 AM 11-11-2016
Sheesh! Can you imagine having her as a client?
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daycarediva 09:59 AM 11-11-2016
Originally Posted by Rockgirl:
Sheesh! Can you imagine having her as a client?
A couple of my clients are halfway there. It's the norm in my area. They didn't let their crazy show until later. I'm very firm in my policies, so I'm not afraid to speak up.

I don't think this lady would last a day with me though.
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Mom2Two 11:14 AM 11-11-2016
This was a funny story, btw. But I know that crazy can be funny to read about...but it's sure no fun to deal with it!
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MKdaycare 05:28 PM 11-11-2016
I haven't laughed this hard at a post here in some time. Thank you :lol
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MotherNature 05:46 AM 11-14-2016
I died at his own private couch and his quiet yet advanced speech. This beats my former client who told me she wanted each bite of dcg's food to mean something. They owned a teaching farm and were very into organic, whoole foods, no sugar, etc...but allowed a 2 yr old to drink 4x the recommended amount of milk a day..all raw and organic local milk of course.
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DaveA 06:00 AM 11-14-2016
Wow- I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have made it through the interview without laughing them out of the house. Kuddos to you for handling it way more professionally than I could have.
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Hunni Bee 12:59 PM 11-14-2016
This sounds like something out of a nightmare...all of you all's worst nightmare .

This family needs a huge dose of reality.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 04:25 PM 11-14-2016
Originally Posted by MotherNature:
I died at his own private couch and his quiet yet advanced speech. This beats my former client who told me she wanted each bite of dcg's food to mean something. They owned a teaching farm and were very into organic, whoole foods, no sugar, etc...but allowed a 2 yr old to drink 4x the recommended amount of milk a day..all raw and organic local milk of course.
What does this even mean?

I'm an organic, gluten free, sugar free mama...but I just have no clue what this means.
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Ariana 04:47 PM 11-14-2016
Tennyson Atreyeu?? So after the famous Alfred Lord Tennyson poet/ author and then the character in Neverending Story??


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Denali 05:03 PM 11-14-2016
Had an interview for a kid named Dexter. After the tv show serial killer... mom told me "Yeah, it's what you think. He's named after a serial killer. He has a great future lined out for him!" Very proud she was...

H.E.L.L No!!! Next!!!!!
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MotherNature 06:53 PM 11-15-2016
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
What does this even mean?

I'm an organic, gluten free, sugar free mama...but I just have no clue what this means.
I'm gf too, and at the time was a vegan. She was saying that she didn't want her to eat junk food...like every thing she put in her belly should be healthful. She was all about no processed food, which I understand, but the way she said it sounded so pretentious. She also wanted me to pat her back til she fell asleep and never tell her no. "We encourage her to explore her boundaries and don't want her to be impacted by negativity."
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Tags:interview, interview - snowflake, snowflake
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