So annoyed :(

[BrightEyes]

My aunt's step-daughter lost her job, is expecting her second child and was in need for childcare for this upcoming wed and thurs for her 16mth old son. She asked me a month ago and although I am not opening my daycare until September I agreed to move around my schedule for those days to look after him as a favour (lowered my rate to what her caregiver charges and was considering not charging at all).

Car seats were re-arranged in the cars, I prepared age-appropriate programming designed individually for him, put together a meal plan according to his needs, got groceries for his meals and my husband rearranged his work schedule so that he could drop my daughter off at daycare and I would pick her up.

Now.....a few days before, she calls and leaves a message saying that although her caregiver is on "holidays" she has agreed to take him on Wed and Thurs. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!

I really needed to vent.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Vent away ~ it is sad that people do not really 'get' how much often goes into making sure we are available to provide a safe learning environment for kids

People in society think many of us are 'callous and uncaring' because we refuse to offer flex care options or mix family with business but it is stories shared like THIS that are exactly why so many of us do not BOTHER with this kind of service because it is more risk than it is worth ... now you are out the expense of the food and materials you bought for his programming, the time in rearranging your car seats is not being compensated and so forth and your aunts stepdaughter likely did not think twice about dropping out on your verbal arrangement and has no clue why you would even be 'upset' that she has done this

[BrightEyes]

Thanks for your reply Reggio. You know I thought I'd been prepared, even had her sign and e-mail my forms well in advance (minus agreement since it was "family" and a favour). I replied via e-mail saying that she is lucky to have a caregiver at that rate and who gives up their holidays for her and that she should hang on to her for as long as she can :s ...... LOL ..... I probably should have waited until a calmed down before replying

Oh well.... if she ever needs me in the future too bad.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Ya no kidding about the being "lucky" in finding a provider willing to be working on her holidays and for below market value - IMO that's kinda how someone who finds a wallet full of cash and keeps it is lucky

I hope karma is not to cruel to your aunts stepdaughter for what IMO is taking advantage of someone who is obviously very hard up for $$$ to be willing to do sell herself and family time short like that.

[Momof4]

Unfortunately, you learned a valuable lesson. Too bad it was someone in your family who was so inconsiderate. The lesson you need to know is that everybody looks out for themselves first. We all have to do that, but in business we have to be prepared to enforce our contract rules from day one because if you let people walk all over you, they will do it.

[BrightEyes]

That's the thing, I have always let people walk all over me. Just over the last few years I have started to put my foot down and have been doing well with it. I should have known better even though/especially since it was family!

[Momof4]

Welcome to my world Sista! I'm so sick of being walked all over all my life by way too many people. When I started my daycare it was happening, so I really learned (from other daycare providers great advice) to stand my ground, believe in myself and my contract and now I don't have any problems to speak of really. We will always have the small issues which sometimes overwhelm us, like a screaming child, but I have no problems with the clients.

[BrightEyes]

That's great that you don't have any major problems. I'm looking for one full-time child or two part-time children to start up my daycare in September/October. I have had interviews but am looking for a good fit plus there are so many daycares in my area. I'm def not rushing though because I have my contract set and would like a family who is willing to go along with it like you. No big problems is my goal! (and no family members for clients!)