Having the wost day ever. Don't know if this is something I can continue.

[Littledragon]

i am having such a BAD day!! I have been crying almost all day! I don't know if I can continue, problem is, I don't really have a choice!

I've only been open officially for 2 months (hense my 10 questions a day) and already I have someone leaving. They're leaving bc she never ended up finding a job as she'd hoped and they can't afford to stay. Which is fine. But my policies state that she give THREE weeks notice. She sent me a letter one Monday and said, I can't give you three weeks notice bc I can't afford to pay for the last week. Except, um, you HAVE TO. I don't know what to do ! I sent her an email but she hasn't responded. I will be pretty screwed if she doesn't pay me the last week. But really, what can I do? If she doesn't pay me, there isn't much I can do.

And then the other kid I've had that has been driving me up the wall, well his parents, have finally done it. I am FINALLY done. I've made excuses in the past but I AM DONE. Two days in a row, he let his kid sleep till 12 and then brought him over when HE KNOWS they go to bed at 1:30. He SCREAMS when he wants something and he's kept EVERYONE up - including my son, which is unacceptable to me. I want to fire them tonight, but I can't! I won't even be able to survive without the little girl and so I JUST CAN'T do it. My husband is ALL ABOUT MONEY so being happy and broke as opposed to being unhappy and with money is what he'd rather.

I am SO STUCK and I HATE IT. I hate how hard it is to find clients! I hate how this kid's ****ing parents can't follow SIMPLE rules and I hate that I am at their mercy!! I've done everything IN MY POWER to make them listen and they refuse so talking to them isn't going to fix anything.

I hate this part of the business. I am ready to BURST

[Lou]

(((hugs)))
1) Yes, they do have to pay you. It's written and signed in your contract right? Copy and paste that section of your contract to remind her.
2) Give the family a final warning. Tell them that you will no longer be providing care for ______ if the disrespect towards your business continues. It is imperative that they follow routine. And give them until the end of the month to see the change.

I understand about your husband and money....mine is SO like this but is getting better (he was raised that money is #1 in life above all else). How are you advertising?

[jec]

If she doesn't have it ~ there is no real way of making her pay. One of the down sides to this business.
We've all gone through tough patches and your in one now..doesn't help you feel better but- it will get better. You have to get through the storm and then the clearing is beautiful !!

I'd just get out there and advertise like crazy- all the sites, flyers etc. Create a web page, fb page and get the word out there. Post on grocery stores..everywhere!
Hope your feeling better by end of day..this too shall pass

[Cocoon]

I really hope that you will get out of this situation ASAP. And I hope and pray that you will never be at someone else's mercy. I been there and I know how it feels. I can understand your husband's point of view too. Yes you are unhappy but at least food is on the table. Especially, if you have kids you have to be able to provide for them so for that matter I think I will choose to be unhappy but with money. And don't forget this is temporary and you will find lovely clients soon. Hope you will feel better soon.

[Littledragon]

(((hugs)))
1) Yes, they do have to pay you. It's written and signed in your contract right? Copy and paste that section of your contract to remind her.
2) Give the family a final warning. Tell them that you will no longer be providing care for ______ if the disrespect towards your business continues. It is imperative that they follow routine. And give them until the end of the month to see the change.

I understand about your husband and money....mine is SO like this but is getting better (he was raised that money is #1 in life above all else). How are you advertising?

Thank you. I'm advertising on Kijiji, here, flyers, a bunch of random childcare websites. I have also spent all afternoon looking at the help wanted ads on kijiji and calling them. They never turn out to be anything good but we'll see. Mys husband told me to go get a full time job and we'll put our son in care, but I can't. And I think this is the hardest part. This job isn't a choice for me. It's the ONLY alternative to staying home with my son, apart from being a VERY poor stay at home mom lol

[Momof4]

It really sounds like you need to start over fresh. Take it as a learning experience as a newly self employed businesswoman so that you know what to watch out for in the future. My first year was sheer hell and my very first clients took off without notice or paying me for the last week of care. I knew where the Mom worked and asked her for the money about 3 times then just gave up and never looked at her again. I'm still mad and that was 4 years ago, but I certainly learned about getting a deposit up front and having a no-nonsense contract and payment plan.

For the child who is not adhering to your schedules and routines and the disrespectful parents, get rid of them. Interview your little butt off and find some great people and replace them ASAP!

[Littledragon]

Well, I am happy to tell you all that I have an interview. It's a little boy of 22 months which is exactly what I've been looking for! The hours are a little less so I am charging her a TAD less, but I'd rather that than nothing right? Then, I am going to look for a little boy of 12-16 months and replace the little boy who's parents don't listen. Things are looking up little bit. I guess I just had to do some work. I actually called this mom bc she had an ad in the wrong place on kijiji so I knew she wasn't getting replied. Hopefully it works out.

Thank you ladies so much for being SO supportive these past few months. Honest to God, I have NO IDEA what I would do without this forum. I probably would be stark raving mad!!

All my gratitude!

[Sandbox Sally]

Go, Littledragon, go!! You can do this...so glad to hear about your interview. Once you get this one, I'd work on replacing the disrespectful people.

[Toregone]

YAY for getting an interview!! My fingers are crossed for you, I hope it pans out. Just keep positive and things will start to flow for you. I advertised for over 2 months before I got a client. It happens, but you can work through it.

[kidlove]

I have done this for almost 10 years and have had MANY days like yours today. Have faith, God never gives us anything we cant handle. In the end you are going to realize you are stronger than you ever thought. In the mean time, hold strong and remember everything happens for a reason. Just like any other job we have bad days and want to quit, have a paycheck that holds us where we are. BUT..unlike any other job, we have the ability to stay home, raise our own children and love the children of the buttheads (some parents) that make our job difficult. But in the end its all worth it. If you do this job,hopefully, you have a love for children like I do, and that overpowers everything else. Just weed through the bad, keep the good...and love the kids!!!!!! Tomorrow will be better, I promise.
took me a good couple years to feel like I had control. Still lose it every now and again and again and again.