I finally terminated them but it did not end on good terms

[Littledragon]

Well, it came to and end. Psycho mom went COMPLETELY psycho on me yesterday and I had to end it on the spot.

Mom was 20 minutes late picking up her son and never called. I sent a text ( because I was watching both our kids and attempting to cook supper) and simply stated that she must have $10 at pick up. Apparently my text was rude. Whatever. So, for anyone who has been aware of this issue, last week she was determined to send an extra pair of clothes every day for me to change him into at the end of the day. I guess dad put his cup in there (usually he comes here with water in his cup) but I never saw it. Well, yesterday it was milk, not water. She texted me this at 6:30: "The milk you let in ____ bag is sour. Can you make sure to be more attentive towards his food and beverages next time? Negligence will not be tolerated any more (this is the FIRST time this has happened) 20 minutes later for pick up would not cause milk to sour. Please be more careful next time for your daycare's sake"
I tried calling her, but as usual, she wouldn't answer. So I texted her back and said I didn't realize the milk was in there, I should have been notified, however, I apologize for the milk having gone sour. But it's not like I made him drink it. Also, I have spoken to you before about your tone with me, and this is your last warning. There is no reason to talk to me that way. This was her reply:
"Excuse me? you need to watch your tone with me first. I'm just replicating ur attitude. And as a daycare provider, it is your job to check the milk bottle. It shows how much you actually pay attention to your daycare kids. Next time, do your job."
Again, I tried calling but she wouldn't answer. So, I texted her and said simply that there woulnd't be a next time that today was his last day.
She called me and started yelling at me. She was asking me all these questions and when I tried to answer, she told me to shut up like 6 times. I tried to remain calm and rational the entire time, but it was really hard. The worst part was that I was walking with my son, so he was subjected to the whole thing. Thankfully, i didn't yell.
When I got home, I was SEETHING. I told her I was sad that I was losing him because the kids love him and he loves being here. That seemed to quiet her down for a minute. But then she threatened to take me to court. The worst part was, and the part I don't understand, is that they pay up front for their two weeks. The end of the pay period is tomorrow. She said, no, today is not his last day. I paid till friday, he'll be there till Friday. Why would she want to bring her child to me after all that? If I'm such a bad child care provider.
It got so bad, my husband had to get involved. He works for the government and writes contracts and deals with legal issues during his day, so he texted both her and husband, in legaleeze, and basically told them to shove it. It ended after that. But it was about a 3 hour affair where she called me and texted me and yelled at me.

I am so upset! I HATE her and I am so sad that I lost the little boy. He was such a good little boy. I felt so little and, again, started second guessing myself again. Am I a bad daycare provider? Do I not take proper care of my kids? Then, I was worried she would start bad mouthing me. She's the type of person who would post a mean post on kijiji. I'm praying her level-headed husband can tame her.

Oh well, I guess this goes with the business, but it's still sad nonetheless.

[kidlove]

Oh my LittleDragon: you have just had your first encounter with the third kind!!!! Good for you, you made it through....this is like "hazing" for the newbie! Congratulations you survived unscathed! Here's the deal, she was not the last...you need to take from it the good, the bad and the ugly. Remember the good, add a policy to protect you from the bad, and remember...some will always be "UGLY". She WILL say bad things about you....SO WHAT!!! many people will before your are through, the intelligent people of the world will always consider the source! and move on....you gave her way more time than she deserved. Take the high road and keep doing what you do, but dont let ANYONE do that to you again! (try not to anyway)

[dodge__driver11]

First of all..If she wants to take you to court let her..Save all you texts, vm, etc.

Secondly if she showed up for care I would have told her that her care was terminated as per (sight section about immed. term clause) and if she did not leave the property call police to escort her away, and I would call EVERYTIME-eithier until she got the message or the police dealt with her within the law...

[Momof4]

Wow, I would never allow anybody to talk to me that way! Not even in a text or email. But if anybody told me to 'shut up' they would be done so fast it would spin their head! I would be furious and would not be able to hide it. Also, nobody is supposed to bring anything to my daycare unless it is not perishable and is to be saved for the bus ride home, etc. How were you supposed to know they put milk in their bag? That's ridiculous. I'm sure you are a wonderful caregiver as evidenced by all your posts and things you have shared with us.

Do you have something like this in your contract?

Termination of Agreement/Contract__________

Two weeks verbal and written notice by the home childcare provider or parent is required to terminate this agreement. Payment by the parent/guardian is due for the notice period regardless of whether or not the child is brought to daycare.

Failure by the home childcare provider to enforce one or more terms of the contract does not waive the right to enforce any other terms of the contract. I reserve the right to enforce or waive any term at my discretion after considering the family situation involved.

The following are grounds for immediate termination and deposit may be forfeited and become the property of ____________________ Daycare:
 Failure to pay tuition fees on time or failure to pay late fees
 Dishonesty or abusive language by parent or child
 Excessive aggressive behaviour by parent or child
 Failure to follow policies
 Failure to provide requested information, signed contract or medical form

There will be a one month probation period for newly accepted families and if the contract is terminated by either party within the first month payment is only required for the days for which childcare was provided.


Littledragon, I just got off the phone with a friend who called me in tears because she can't handle her daycare children and she's been doing this for almost 5 years. She has a particularly unruly group right now which would exhaust me completely. I told her she needs to terminate the troublemaker but she's so kind she's risking her own sanity and health to keep trying. Sometimes it's so much better to move on.

[mimi]

Wow, Wow................W ow! Can't believe this woman How horrible for you and your family to be subjected to her abuse. I feel so sorry for her little boy. He is going to miss you and his friends and he has her as a mother. At least thankfully, through the legalese tactics from your hubby, she is out of your life. Should she attempted to contact you, even to apologize, do not respond. Do not open the door for her to come back into your life. Yikes, she's scary. Can you imagine working for/with her? Unfortunately, she won't be the last abusive parent, however since you have this experience under your belt you now know to cut this behavior in the bud and never ever let anyone tell you to shut up again

[momof2cuties]

Oh my, what is she going to take you to court over? Spoiled milk? Ha Ha! It's a shame that HER child has to suffer because of her adult bullying (that's what it seems to me) If that was me, her very first rude comment would of been her LAST! I would of said don't bother bring 'child's name' tomorrow your terminated for harassing behavior, don't bother text me either.

[Monday 2 Friday Mama]

Hang in there - don't let one jerk rattle your cage. You're an awesome caregiver, and she is a rude bully - nothing more. I love Mom of 4's clause - I might just build it into my own contract. =) Hang in there. Fortunately this is a super time of year - everyone is looking for a caregiver. You'll have a new "Monday to Friday baby" to spoil before you know it !

[kidlove]

Dont worry, 99.99999% sure she is NOT taking you to court, people who have issues say things like that, she didn't have a leg to stand on and wanted to scare you. I had a NASTY Mom leave my care after a HUGE screaming match (mostly her) about a week later I brought all her sons things to there house along with a Christmas card for him (I felt bad he left, It wasnt his fault his Mom was crazy!) a few days later I received a rediculous letter from her stating that "if I ever attempted to contact them again she was have her attourney contact me". It was a case of the "last word", I had taken the oppourtunity to make my "last word" a kind one, I think it made her stew, she was in the process of "bad mouthing" me to everyone in town.....she had to make it sound as if I were harassing her family (rather than just being kind enough to drop everything off and wish a Merry Christmas to the Boy). ........what was she going to spread about me then? "That nasty Day Care Lady had the nerve to kindly show up at my door with my sons freshly washed linens and spare clothes AND a Christmas Card full of Love". The Nerve!

[Lou]

Holy CRAP!!!!! That would deifnitely leave me shaken so I don't blame you in the slightest for being so upset!!! DO NOT question yourself for even a moment...that was her goal...don't let her succeed. So glad she's out of your hair for good!

[Sandbox Sally]

I'm so sorry, dragon. What a nasty, nasty woman. I hope you've heard the last from her. If she does badmouth you on kijiji or wherever, remember that you can report the post. It's also a legal issue (as your husband can likely tell you) if she slanders your business with falsehoods.

I feel sorry for the little guy too. Imagine having that kind of mother? I bet you dollars to donuts this won't be the last thing she screws up for him.