I made the mistake in the beginning of also allowing certain parents to pay later and so on. BIG MISTAKE! especially when they are farily new, think about it, you provide two weeks care and for whatever reason, they might decide they dont want to go with your care anymore, they leave and you have a situation on your hands. If you require payment at least the first of every week, (if not week or two in advance) you will NEVER have this issue because you also set a rule into place that states: You will not care for the child until payment is made. NO EXCEPTIONS!! I too can be a push over and it doesnt get any easier to stand your ground the longer you do it.....my advice to you is: set your rules and stick to them, no matter what!!!!