Beyond Frustrated

So, my husband works 22 days away and home for six.. This time they got sent home earlier than usual and he goes back this Sunday for 24-26days. I asked my parents Monday if they could possibly find alternate care for Friday as my husband and I would like two days together with no kids (we have no kids of our won) before he leaves Sunday morning. I explained I knew it was short notice and gave the parents numbers to other day home that I know and a friend teenage daughter that is also free Friday. All my parents had no problem with it except the other mom of my problem children! I gave this family on Monday notice that I am terminating them and their last day will be June 19. ( I had requested June 14 & 17 off as that is when my husband was supposed to be home so I said I would work those now). Every time I have talked to the mom since Monday morning she says she cannot find anyone to watch them and that she is sorry..... I'm to the point where I'm just not going to answer the door... I need a break! I haven't had a break since Christmas! Also her child was running while I was crouched over and rammed her knee into my spine and so it's all bruised and hurts sooo bad.. I just done! Lol... No idea what to do in this situation as my husband has planned a mini getaway for us...

Tell her that you are sorry, but you will be away. End of story. Ultimately, they are her children and she is responsible. No way would I miss a getaway with hubby!!!!

If you're closed, you're closed. Next time you talk just let her know again that you're closed because you're going our of town or whatever. I'm not sure why she thinks she gets to dictate your hours because its inconvenient for her.

Another client I might be willing to do more, but like you said, it's your problem family and they're done soon anyway.

Also, be prepared that she might be angry and pull her children. Since she was going to leave June 19th anyway, I wouldn't worry about it.

I have already told her my husband has booked us in so we won't be home and she is insisting and oh I'm sorry.. So if she tells me she has no child care can I just lock my doors lol.. Like if she is strapped take a day home from ur work then!

Am i right in that she is insisting that she is bringing the children to you anyway? Its her problem not yours. If you have told her your closed she must respect that and make alternate arrangements regardless of whether or not her end date is so close. Dont allow her to pressure you. You spend alot of time apart from your hubby which also means you do this job alone and take care of your home alone as well. You deserve this time alone with him. I agree, she may out of anger pull the kids early but if you have a deposit then you dont really lose anything.

Thanks.. Ya tonight if she insists again she has no one I'm just telling her u can bring them but no one will be here!! None of my other moms ever have a problem with me taking time off :(

I know you have prolly done this already, but I just state my holiday time and that is it, I don't even give parents "an out" it clearly states in my contract that they need to find care...I have even refused to let parents in cause they "forgot" I was gone......

Ya and my contract clearly states have a back up sitter!

I wouldn't worry about it. She's done soon anyway. Who cares if she gets angry and pulls out early?? You need time to feel like a human being, do you think she would think twice about calling her child in sick if she wanted to do something??

I know what it's like to not see much of your husband, if I was presented with the opportunity to get away with him for a few days I would run for it! I would tell the parents I was closed. Period. If anyone came back at me with a sob story, I would simply tell them "I will NOT be here to answer my door".

I would make a note so everything is in writing stating that the daycare will be closed on Friday, June 7 and reopen for normal daycare hours on Monday June 10.

If you have paid vacation days in your contract then include that in your note. If not then you could also stipulate that in the note saying the fee will be deducted from payment for the following week or whatever.

My point in handing out a printed letter to each parent is there is then no way that a family could come back on you next week saying that they didn't know.

Once they have been told daycare will be closed that is all you have to do other than enjoy your time off. We are not responsible for our daycare families beyond that.

So.. She comes today and informs me her alternate care is not available tomorrow, even the new day home she has lined up.. I'm like well we are leaving tonight and she is like did u not hear me? I have no care tomorrow and its ur responsibility to be here and I said I understand but I won't be here. So she ditched her screaming/crying kid and slammed the door... Pick up should be fun..

Guess she has to take a day off !

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Originally Posted by Crayola kiddies

Guess she has to take a day off !

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Exactly, but then she would have to spend time with her kids...

Not necessarily .... She could park them in front of the tv and ignore them

Glad you get to leave tonight and won't have to face her tomorrow morning. On the other hand just in case make sure you move any flower pots etc from the porch if she shows up and gets angry.

What this parent needs to be reminded is they are not our employer. They do not set the rules we have to live under. We provide a service and have the right to withdraw that service any time we want as stated in our contract.

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Originally Posted by playfelt

Glad you get to leave tonight and won't have to face her tomorrow morning. On the other hand just in case make sure you move any flower pots etc from the porch if she shows up and gets angry.

What this parent needs to be reminded is they are not our employer. They do not set the rules we have to live under. We provide a service and have the right to withdraw that service any time we want as stated in our contract.

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Lol I love the second part!

You have given sufficient notice of your closure. It is NOT your responsibility to be there. Furthermore, you slam my door, I will terminate. You are not respecting my property and you are behaving negatively with children present.
My goodness, have some parents taken nasty pills lately. We need to, in a proffessional manner, stand up for our policies and personal rights as a person who will not tolerate abusive behaviour. Geez:glare:

PS, I hope you have a wonderful time with your hubby:)

So Apparently she was unable to find care for her children tomorrow and so it's my responsibility for me to take them tomorrow. I said no its not! So after they leave tonight I said see you Monday and the mom whips around and says did u forget I told u tomorrow? I said oh I must have... So two hrs later I txt her and say I think u misunderstood me and that I'm not going to be home tomorrow bc my husband leaves Sunday for work till mid July. All of a sudden my phone rings but the battery was too dead to answer... Called 10x so after I charged my phone and called. The dad answered and I asked to speak with his wife he started yelling at me asking who was going to pay for his lost wages. I explained to him I gave notice Monday, and my husband is gone till midjuly.. Oh we'll I used to work away from home for three years and u chose this lifestyle. I Elaine's my family comes first.. Well u chose to look after people's kids.... I then said in my contract in three places u need a reliable back up babysitter. He then says well in ur contract u give 2 weeks notice for. Holidays. I'm like yes for extended time off yes otherwise I try to give as much notice as possible.. Then his phone cut out and he called me back 15x! I did not answer... Now how do I go about telling them I refuse to care for their child after that convo.????

Ummm... ya, good bye. Done. Their child their responsibility. And yelling. Nope, anyone yells at me, (and I don't care what the reason), they're done, terminated. Calling 10 times, and then again 15 times, that's aggressive and harassing. And commenting that you chose the lifestyle so you can't take a day off to be with your husband... seriously???? Just get rid of these people.

So I called and spoke with the mom and said I don't appreciate the way ur husband was talking to me it was uncalled for. Se said well we are both very upset with u and its hard to not have child care we can depend on... I the month and a half I have had them.. This was the first time I asked for a day off!!! So I the said unfortunately I think for both of us it would be best if we went our separate ways and please accept this as ur immediate termination... She then says oh well my husband and I have already discussed this and have lined care up for Monday. It's sad it had to end this way as my kids really enjoyed u... End of convo.

... Thanks for ur guys support and advice.. It's still bugging me as its like what did I do that's so wrong?!

And she will last at the new place till that provider needs a day off for vacation or gets sick and they will realize that this is just the way home daycare is.