I did it ... And I feel HORRIBLE

[crafty]

Remember my post from yesterday about old poop in pants .... Well UNBELEIVABLY I found a flea in the child's hair again today. I terminated immediately. Called the mom up at work, told her to pick her son ... And I terminated and I have been crying ever since. It really was written in the stars that this child had to go ... I can't believe it myself and probably would not have terminated if this had not happened this morning but I FEEL ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. The mom was 'ok', there was no argument at all and she PAID ME !! Oh gosh I feel like the biggest B in the world.

From one extreme to the other, another family stopped by this AM just to give the new signed contract and payment fo Jan. as they are leaving for the holidays and they left me a very nice card with such kind words and a VERY generous gift... Almost too generous it makes me feel uncomfortable.

Wow ... Cant wait for this day to be over so I can move on !! Thank you guys for all your support and help. Thsi website really helps ...

[BlueRose]

Hugs :glomp:
You did the right thing. If you hadn't you would have to deal with fleas all over again.
You are so NOT a B. I am glad you got your pay and there was no argument.

It's great that you have a new client starting in Jan. New year New Start.

[BrightEyes]

Awww crafty, I know it's not easy, but you did the right thing. *hugs*

[Monday 2 Friday Mama]

Hugs and lots of strength crafty. You've done what needed to be done, hopefully now you won't have to deal with this kind of aggravation and you can get back to doing what you do well - caring for kids. =) I'm glad that this lady paid you - why on earth should she not pay you ? You provided care for her child, and you're a professional caregiver - you're not a friend who's doing her a favour. Hang in there - hopefully you'll wrap up your Friday not too late - and then put your feet up, enjoy a cup of tea and maybe order some take-away for dinner. You deserve a night off !

[playfelt]

Sounds like a new start for January and you so deserve that after what you have been putting up with. As much as we want to support and be there for our families we have to be ready to let go of a family that is spoiling it for the rest and constantly bringing germs, infestations, bad vibes into the care are good reasons. Mom knew she was on borrowed time and either didn't care or had other plans already. Concentrate on the good families and enjoy the break.

[sunnydays]

Aww...that is really hard :( You did the right thing...it wasn't improving...it likely would never have improved and as much as you wanted to help the child, there wasn't really much you could do. I would not put up with fleas being brought into my home either...once is one thing, but multiple times after having been warned...no! At least now you can go into the New Year on a fresh new note (and clean too...LOL). In a couple of days you will feel so much better :flower:

[crafty]

Thanks all ! I'll get over it. I really beleive I had no more choice. How crazy that this happens on the day right after another crisis and on the same day I get huge gratifications from another DC family. It had to happen...It's just when I think of the child and the fact that I will NEVER seem him again. That's the toughest part of it. Well at least he left with his christmas gift and a smile on his face.

I am SOOOO looking forward to the new year. I have 2 new littles ones starting and I just can't wait. I LOVE babies and I was starting to miss it. The families I have now... I feel great about them and so far it has been awsome working with them and I have a very good feeling about the new addtion as well. I did not really need to have a full daycare so I will not replace him right now. I just hope things stabilize for a while cause I don't think I'll be able to take anymore for a while haha

[Lou]

(((hugs)))

[Inspired by Reggio]

Termination is always hard ~ however when it is done out of the best interest of your group that is NEVER wrong cause you are not just caring for that one children but many others whose families have a right to be protected from infestations and so forth and if the one client cannot get that under control in her home that is HER challenge to bear not yours and your businesses ~ hopefully that was your one and only for your career and the new year brings you many blessings and prosperity!

[kidlove]

Sometimes we Providers feel like we go against the grain to do whats right! Not easy but we know what needs to be done. Good for you for doing whats right. Maybe you could send a Christmas card to the family just to let them know "no hard feelings" just a part of the business. :) We providers have to look out for ourselves first and foremost and that doesn't come so easy when you are in this field cuz generally this field attracts a very selfless and caring for others type personality.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Great idea Kidlove!

[Momof4]

Remember my post from yesterday about old poop in pants .... Well UNBELEIVABLY I found a flea in the child's hair again today. I terminated immediately. Called the mom up at work, told her to pick her son ... And I terminated and I have been crying ever since. It really was written in the stars that this child had to go ... I can't believe it myself and probably would not have terminated if this had not happened this morning but I FEEL ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. The mom was 'ok', there was no argument at all and she PAID ME !! Oh gosh I feel like the biggest B in the world.

From one extreme to the other, another family stopped by this AM just to give the new signed contract and payment fo Jan. as they are leaving for the holidays and they left me a very nice card with such kind words and a VERY generous gift... Almost too generous it makes me feel uncomfortable.

Wow ... Cant wait for this day to be over so I can move on !! Thank you guys for all your support and help. Thsi website really helps ...

Oh Crafty, you stop that right now sweetie! You are a businesswoman who had to make a decision for the good of your daycare and your home and your family. Hopefully the parents will smarten up and realize that they aren't fooling anyone with their lax cleanliness. That poor little child, I'm so very sad for him. But you know you did exactly what you had to do. I'm so sorry, you must have been shaking all day and so upset, but relax knowing that it is over and you can move on now. HUGS!

[Momof4]

Sometimes we Providers feel like we go against the grain to do whats right! Not easy but we know what needs to be done. Good for you for doing whats right. Maybe you could send a Christmas card to the family just to let them know "no hard feelings" just a part of the business. :) We providers have to look out for ourselves first and foremost and that doesn't come so easy when you are in this field cuz generally this field attracts a very selfless and caring for others type personality.

Kidlove, you are a wonderful person and always thinking of others. But Crafty has to remember that she did nothing wrong at all and I would cut all ties and forget about it as quickly as possible if I were her.

[mimi]

Crafty, be proud of yourself for doing the right thing. The situation obviously was not going to improve as you realized with the discovery of the flea. Poor child, I feel sorry for him living in those conditions. So look forward to your new year dck's and relax.

[kidlove]

The card wouldnt be to say your sorry or admit you did anything wrong, it would be to extend care a gratitude during the Holidays, I'm sure the reason she feels bad is because she does care for the family and the child but had to make the tough decision to let them go regardless out of the fact that she has to protect her family and other daycare families. nothing wrong with sending a kind wish for the holidays, who knows that family would more than likely feel better about everything if she sent a little Christmas Greeting their way, I can only imagine there may be hard feelings when you are let go from day care...not to mention I have let a lot of families go over the years and the ones I never talked to again I still carry regret...those I contacted in the future or ran into and had a nice conversation I feel so much better about.. a kind message can only help all involved def not hurt. ;)

[crafty]

I like your idea Kidlove and I do need to send them a receipt by mail so I will be sending them a Christmas card. I do not think i did anything wrong I just did what I had to do... I still felt bad and I will miss the child. Anyway I'm ok now about it, it's just a difficult thing to do to a family. I am in a business but I am still human. Poor lilttle child ... I do wonder where he will end up.

Anyway I don't think I would have done so well without the help of the people on this forum. So thanks everyone !!

[angelina]

*hugs* crafty

you did what you can. a flea is something we really do not need to be resident of our daycare.

you ain't the first one, won't be the last. My neighbor did the same thing just last summer, it's awful..she was upset that day - but she said....it was the right decision.