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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>I Don’t Like This Woman
MamaBear 01:26 PM 11-10-2011
I have a 1 yr old boy I've been watching for about 9 months now. The baby is great and I have no problems with him... It's his insensitive mother that really ticked me off yesterday.

Basically I'm closed this Friday for Veterans Day. I do this every year - especially since my husband IS a Veteran and still active duty. I am also closed the week of Thanksgiving which I do EVERY year. And I also have one day scheduled closed when my husband is leaving for his deployment to Afghanistan early December.

This Thanksgiving is very special to us since he's leaving soon after and it's a VERY emotional day for me when he leaves for deployment, and for my 3 sons. So of course I'd close that day to see him off. All of my daycare parents have been super supportive and sweet and they all said "of course you need to close that day" with no questions asked...except this one mom.

Basically yesterday when the mom was picking up her son, she makes a comment about how she doesnt get Veterans day off work & how her other older son does not have Veterans day off OR the week of Thanksgiving off from his preschool center that he goes to. So she will have to take time off work to keep the baby home since I AM closed. She has known that I take these holidays of since forever, so it should be no big surprise. She then mumbled something about how frustrating it is.

REALLY???? I was sooo shocked how she was being so rude. It's not like I'm closing for no reasons. Shes from England and has this very know-it-all way about her. Anyway - I basically just said that sucks that she doesn't get holidays off like Veterans day and I told her that maybe she needs to find backup childcare so she doesn't have to miss work. I felt numb and couldn't think of what to say on the spot for some reason. I think I was too mad. She left and that was it. But all last night I was fuming at her insensitivity.

I dont expect her to give me sympathy that my husband is leaving for 7 months... but JUST DONT question the closures. Especially now. I'd like to see how she'd handle her husband being gone that long. She freaks out if her husband is gone for 2 freakin days!!!

I ended up going on the website for her other son's preschool and they ARE closed for Veterans day and they ARE closed the entire week of Thanksgiving too! And a week for Christmas!! So why would she even lie and say that to me - to try to make me feel bad or guilty for closing?!?!? It didnt make me feel bad, it just pissed me off (big time) that she would complain to me about it. Really?!?!

I'm going to say something to her today about how I found out that her other son's preschool IS closed tomorrow and for Thanksgiving week. Also how important these closure dates are for me. I am so on edge with her right now that if she says one thing negative about my husband deploying and me closing that I'm going to terminate her on the spot. Maybe I'm being super emotional, but this really upsets me. ARGHHH...

Okay.. I just needed to vent that. Sighhhhh....
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Kaddidle Care 01:37 PM 11-10-2011
Oh my! She actually has to take a day off to be with her baby! The horrors!

Please remind me - why do these people have children?

Try to let it roll of your back. She is selfish and single minded and can't see past her own nose.

Your dates have been set for along time so the problem is hers. Not your fault she didn't line up anyone to care for her child in advance.
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MyAngels 01:49 PM 11-10-2011
I would say, with a big ol' smile on my face: "Good news snarky nasty mom - I looked on the websites for your kids' schools and they are closed for both Veteran's Day and the week of Thanksgiving! Aren't you excited that you're going to get to spend some wonderful quality time with the kids while I get to spend some quality time with my wonderful hero of a husband, who is sacrificing so much to serve our great country?"

Oh, and my thanks to your husband for his service, as well
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MamaBear 02:04 PM 11-10-2011
Thanks Kaddidle... She has known since she first started here so I agree with you 100%! And yes - how awful that she'd actually have to spend time with her OWN baby, huh? Sheesh. Thank you!

CheekyChick: Omg... Thats awesome!!! I hope I can remember to say that word for word. That is PERFECT!!!

MyAngels: That sounds perfect too!!! And thank you for your nice comment.

I'm definitely going to give her some words today and I'm praying they come out right. Her husband dropped off this morning so I havent seen her since yesterday afternoon. Sometimes when I'm sooo mad, I just cant get out what I'm trying to say. So I'm hoping I can say it very clearly to her today to make myself feel better. She can take her little snarky butt somewhere else for all I care.

Thanks guys for all your advice
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CheekyChick 02:07 PM 11-10-2011
You're so welcome.

Maybe you should write little notes on the palm of your hand.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
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misspollywog 02:21 PM 11-10-2011


Just to spite her, I would add "National Day Care Providers Day" to your holiday list. When she says she hasn't heard of it, tell her we here instituted it in your honor.
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sharlan 02:23 PM 11-10-2011
Tomorrow is the first Veteran's Day I have ever taken off. The only reason I am is because I need to help my mom out.

I understand your need to take tomorrow and the week of Thanksgiving off. You family is facing a rough time and you need the time together. It's too bad that she can't understand that.

I would just ignore her insensitivity and move on. You can't get through to people like that.


Thoughts and prayers to your family.
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CheekyChick 01:49 PM 11-10-2011
How RUDE!!!

I would simply say this:

I thought about our conversation yesterday and it's clear that you cannot sympathize with me regarding my husband's 7 month deployment. I find that to be unsettling, especially since I would feel for you if the situation were reverse. Regardless... I know your eldest son's school is closed for Veteran's Day and the week of Thanksgiving - just as my facility is. You gave me a hard time over this which I found to be completely inappropriate - especailly since you were given these dates in advance. If you cannot comply with my policies or dates of closure, you may want to find a daycare that would better suit your needs.
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Heidi 03:33 PM 11-10-2011
Originally Posted by CheekyChick:
How RUDE!!!

I would simply say this:

I thought about our conversation yesterday and it's clear that you cannot sympathize with me regarding my husband's 7 month deployment. I find that to be unsettling, especially since I would feel for you if the situation were reverse. Regardless... I know your eldest son's school is closed for Veteran's Day and the week of Thanksgiving - just as my facility is. You gave me a hard time over this which I found to be completely inappropriate - especailly since you were given these dates in advance. If you cannot comply with my policies or dates of closure, you may want to find a daycare that would better suit your needs.
Oh Yeah, and you're welcome that our family sacrifices so that you can live in this awesome FREE COUNTRY! We are so glad to be of service!

(comming from a bleeding heart democrat who also happens to have a son that is a PVT. in the army)
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laundrymom 02:41 PM 11-10-2011
Ok first and foremost, thank you. Please know that there are a lot of people, like me who send you our love, thanks and appreciation. Please let your dh know I thank him. I was blessed to grow up military. It is something engraved into your soul and I want To take a moment to say thank you.

Secondly, tell ms high and mighty to hush her mouth. Here are the words I would use

Jenny, I know that on the rare occasion I close it inconveniences you. I'm truly sorry that you don't get a paid day off. I understand that staying home with the baby while Jared is at preschool is hard. Maybe you could network with another mom at jareds preschool ? I need to do this for my family. My husband deserves this and I'm sorry if you can't understand my reasons. I am honestly surprised and hurt at your reaction and how you are handling this. It is not negotiable though.

Then do the quiet, uncomfortable stare.

Good luck sweety, you should not have to deal with such disrespect from someone like this. I'm sorry for her behavior. She should be ashamed.
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Tags:days off, parent - with attitude, rude parents, veterans day
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