Ugly Text Messages

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

How do you appropriately deal with ugly text messages full of accusations and concerns (that were never addressed prior to giving a family a 2 weeks notice)?

[Blackcat31]

I am going to take a wild guess here and assume this is the same family you posted about yesterday?

If I were you, I would text back and say "STOP contacting me! ALL messages will be saved and shown to the police."

Then stop answering any and all contact with them. Just do not reply. Save them and take them to the police if necessary.

Just curious, did you just term and not take them for the final two weeks since they never paid you?

[SunshineMama]

I'm sure you already know thiss, but whatever you do, do not respond emotionally. Anything that you write can be used against you.

I agree with blackcat- "Please stop texting me immediately."

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I told the parent that text messages were not the forum to address any concerns. If they would like to discuss any concerns, they are welcome to speak with me in person.

No emotion at all.

It is the same family, however they do still owe the final two weeks of tuition. I filled out the form and said I would continue with our care arrangement for two weeks from yesterday.
I am thinking I may need to send it to a collections agency. I do not enjoy being manipulated and accused, and then the accusations were turned around when she discovered that I wasn't being manipulated.

[Kaddidle Care]

You can also contact your phone provider and block their texts. They should get a message that it's not going through.

Some people really need to learn to grow up. Sorry you are dealing with this.

[Heidi]

Please call your regulator today and give them the quick version of what's going on. You terminated a family, they owe you money, they are now sending threatening texts, and you just want to give her a heads-up.

I swear, every time I've done this (a couple times), nothing comes of it. It's sort of a Murphy's law...if your prepared and proactive, you didn't need to be. It's the ones out of left-field that get ya. So, use Murphy's Law to your advantage!

[Mary Poppins]

"Please do not contact me further except to make payment either online or through the mail." is what I had to tell one disgruntled dcm who kept texting over and over trying to stir up drama.

Luckily it worked and I got paid for the last two weeks a few days later (online).

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpe******t

I told the parent that text messages were not the forum to address any concerns. If they would like to discuss any concerns, they are welcome to speak with me in person.

No emotion at all.

It is the same family, however they do still owe the final two weeks of tuition. I filled out the form and said I would continue with our care arrangement for two weeks from yesterday.
I am thinking I may need to send it to a collections agency. I do not enjoy being manipulated and accused, and then the accusations were turned around when she discovered that I wasn't being manipulated.

I am wondering why you don't just immediately terminate care? Have them not come back and take the loss for the last two weeks of care?

I really cannot imagine that the money for the final two weeks is worth even having them in care since they are so disrespectful and rude to you.

Plus, if they haven't paid you yet...I would take the opportunity to consider the contract breeched and walk away. Stop any and all contact with them and just be done with it all together.

If you really want to give them an explanation of why they are being termed, tell them they failed to make their payment according to contract so you are terming them immediately.

I am sure that is simple enough for them to understand and that reason doesn't really need any further explaining...kwim?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Originally Posted by Heidi

Please call your regulator today and give them the quick version of what's going on. You terminated a family, they owe you money, they are now sending threatening texts, and you just want to give her a heads-up.

I swear, every time I've done this (a couple times), nothing comes of it. It's sort of a Murphy's law...if your prepared and proactive, you didn't need to be. It's the ones out of left-field that get ya. So, use Murphy's Law to your advantage!

I contacted her this morning.

[Lyss]

I'd document any nasty text messages too. If you have a "smart" phone you can usually download a screen grabber app (most are free) that will allow you to take a screenshot of the text message and save it to your photos (i then email it to myself). I'm a documenting fool! lol!

[Hunni Bee]

Originally Posted by Blackcat31

I am wondering why you don't just immediately terminate care? Have them not come back and take the loss for the last two weeks of care?

I really cannot imagine that the money for the final two weeks is worth even having them in care since they are so disrespectful and rude to you.

Plus, if they haven't paid you yet...I would take the opportunity to consider the contract breeched and walk away. Stop any and all contact with them and just be done with it all together.

If you really want to give them an explanation of why they are being termed, tell them they failed to make their payment according to contract so you are terming them immediately.

I am sure that is simple enough for them to understand and that reason doesn't really need any further explaining...kwim?

This.

Its going to be a very long and uncomfortable two weeks. Let them go.

[littlemissmuffet]

Just another reason I don't allow parent/provider texting.

[countrymom]

Originally Posted by littlemissmuffet

Just another reason I don't allow parent/provider texting.

I thought I was the only one. I don't do anything daycare related and my cell phone.

[saved4always]

I had a DCP send me a rude text right after we had a disagreement and they decided to terminate my services (I was actually very happy not to have this family anymore...they wanted things thier way and I was not willing to do it ). I deleted the text, never replied at all, and I have never heard from them again. I didn't want to give them the satisfaction of even knowing if I got thier text. It was not threatening though...if it had been, I still would not have replied (although my dh probably would have), but I would have saved it in case of more threats.

I personally would let this family go effective immediately and just forget the money. For me, the money is not worth the stress. I would contact liscensing, too, to let them know what is going on just in case this family gets the bright idea to make false reports about you.

[cheerfuldom]

Originally Posted by Blackcat31

I am wondering why you don't just immediately terminate care? Have them not come back and take the loss for the last two weeks of care?

I really cannot imagine that the money for the final two weeks is worth even having them in care since they are so disrespectful and rude to you.

Plus, if they haven't paid you yet...I would take the opportunity to consider the contract breeched and walk away. Stop any and all contact with them and just be done with it all together.

If you really want to give them an explanation of why they are being termed, tell them they failed to make their payment according to contract so you are terming them immediately.

I am sure that is simple enough for them to understand and that reason doesn't really need any further explaining...kwim?

If I term, I do not require the last two weeks paid if they choose to walk away from the situation immediately.