I'm not ready in the morning?

[Cadillac]

Tomorrow morning you should answer the door in your best business attire with your hair perfect and make up perfect LOL it would seriously freek her out!

But then I would have to do that EVERY morning. I really do think it throws her off that I dress differently everyday. I might wear an echo t shirt and baggy jeans one day, sweats the next, and one the thirds day I wear a suit jacket and decide its a make up day. But suit jacket or not, my eyes just don't lose their glaze over until my house is filled with giggling babies

[jec]

I don't wear make up either..and I am one of those who look very different without it. I wear yoga clothes ~nothing like I did when I worked in an office!! I've had a parent ask me if everything was OK..I laughed it off telling her that I must need a little lip gloss!

I always try to put the shoe on the other foot. You being tired is not her issue and please don't take that the wrong way...it's just how she might see it. She is paying you and might have concerns that you are too tired. I won't wait until next time she says something, I would address it now. Joking saying maybe a little lip gloss wouldn't hurt but your daycare kids don't mind if you don't they just want you to be having fun with them. You want to reassure her that her little one is priority and that you've mentioned that your tired but in way no not able to do what she hired you for and that this is the impression that you got. I like to have an open communication with my daycare families. Yes this is my business but without them, I wouldn't have one. Now if she is being rude about it, that is different and you shouldn't have to put up with that.

[Cadillac]

I addressed it right away and then sent a follow up email to about an hour afterwards her saying that if in a week or so she was still very anxious then she should look for a place where she feels more comfortable leaving her little one. In the end I want my clients to feel comfortable dropping off their child in the morning. I'd rather her be comfy somewhere else than anxious with me.

She said she was satisfied although I feel like the relationship has changed overnight.

I have great relationships with my parents. This is the first problem I've ever had and just found it so odd I needed second, third and, fourth opinions.

[jec]

I've just experienced my first negative experience with a daycare family and it's tough as you are inviting these people into your home and how dare they say certain things and then on the other foot ~ you don't want to do anything to ruin your reputation as word of mouth spreads fast.
Funny that you mentioned giving it a week and then revisiting if your daycare is the right place. I gave the family above that I'm talking about an option for a problem we were having a problem with. Told them that if in 2 weeks it didn't work for them- their choice if they want to end care I would consider that their 2 weeks notice and or if they decided to continue then I would love to have their little one in my care. My intention was to give them an out and had a few other providers review what I wrote. They took it REALLY bad and got down right nasty. They felt it was my way or the highway. Now these parents were beyond reason so although I had tried many other things, I knew that I wasn't going to make them happy. I only mention this ( as I carry on with my story) is as you said the relationship has changed and maybe they took what you said as a negative?? Good luck- it makes things uncomfortable for you when it is your home
I'm the same...getting that second, third option help to put things into perspective.

[Dreamalittledream]

This one ticked me off. What about all the times we are sick and forge ahead with our day not thinking twice about calling it a sick day and leaving the parents in a bind. Sorry, but on those days I'm not at my perkiest. I was once met at the door by the daughter of my old caregiver at 6:45am drop off...to have her say that her mom had a migraine and that the daycare was closed. No notice, whatsoever. But I expressed my frustration calmly to her the next day, she told me her side and it was done. I had no other issues with that provider, she was wonderful. Also, in the 2 seconds it would take you to get dressed while she is in your care...we just have to make those judgement calls throughout the day to safely leave them doing an activity and run for a bathroom break, for example. Ok, vented now

[Mamma_Mia]

we just have to make those judgement calls throughout the day to safely leave them doing an activity and run for a bathroom break, for example. Ok, vented now

Great Point! Do they not think we take mini-breaks?? Go to the bathroom? Run a load of laundry while the kids are sleeping? I mean seriously!

[jodaycare]

Wow, I can't believe this woman is getting riled up over something so silly. I have been woken up many times by the doorbell and the parents are totally fine with it and they would never consider it a sign of my ability to care for their child. I hope things work out for you if you want to keep this family but I am not sure I would want to continue the relationship.

[Spixie33]

I feel like a walking dead person on Monday mornings. Sleeping until 8 on sat/Sun and then waking up at 6:15 again on Mondays makes me like a zombie.
I do always try to get my makeup on, comb hair, dress and unload the dishwasher before the first child comes but I have gone to the door with my shirt on backwards or touching my hair and asking the mom whether I had combed it because I couldn't recall. lol

I try to sound more awake than I am somedays. Thankfully the doorbell thing has never happened to me before . That is one of my phobias. I am up 45 min before anyone comes and try to give my kids breakfast. after my alarm...my husband gets up 30 min later so I guess that would be my fallback if needed.

I think you should reassure the mom about this one more time and bring it up.
And what in the world is she telling people about you ? Sounds like she is getting them to weigh in on your morning appearance?? what is that about?

[Mamma_Mia]

I'm like Play&Learn....I'm up 10-15min before first dck is to arrive...I'm either in sweats or if I'm in a ok mood jeans & top....no makeup 95% of the time. Come down, start my coffee, lay on the couch, pour my cup and ding-dong. While dck is having their breakfast I'm having my coffee....at about 8-8:30 my own daughter starts to wake up.

On days we're going to playgroup that's where they'll catch me dressed up, makeup, hair done and coffee the thermal cup ready to go! LOL ((gotta impress those other ladies, ya'know?)) LOL

Looking tired isn't a crime....its human and YOU ARE IN YOUR OWN HOME!
p.s. we probably look better in our blah clothes than 1/2 the center employees, I can speak of the 6 I know of at least!! :P

[playfelt]

I'm here for the kids not the parents. The kids don't care if my top and pants clash or not or even if it is on backwards as long as they get their snack and favourite story read. I mean really - this is our home and we can wear what we want when we want and comb our hair only if we want etc. We get so few perks in this business we gotta take them where we can.

Maybe just a polite sorry mamm I don't work for you - your company dress code doesn't apply here. We wear play clothes.