I am having trouble with a mom who doesn't want to pay my fees. I charge a flat rate of $12 for after school care. She is a part time teacher and only needs two days a week. I have agreed to keep a spot for her kids, even though I could find kids who need five days a week.

However, her kids are starting hockey and on those days she needs to pick them up at 4:15pm instead of 5:00pm. She only wanted to pay $6 on those days, even though I am also supplying an afternoon snack. I have said no, and I have told her what her monthly rate is ($24 a week per child) Yet she gave me a cheque for only $120. I gave it back to her with a paper showing the monthly rate. She did give the cheque back with the right amount. Was she testing me?

BUT then, she asked if her kids could come an extra day last week. I said sure, but my drop in rate is $8/hr per child. She said she only needed one hour. However, instead of picking them up at 4:00pm (I get them at 3:00pm), she picked them up at 4:30pm and only paid me for 1 HOUR! Is this another test????

I would have thought a teacher would have some respect for someone who works in the childcare field.

well, I got the last laugh! She counted out the days in October, even though I have told her that her monthly rate is $192 per month. Because October is a longer month, she ended up paying $24 more than she had to! That takes care of the money she shorted me for her drop in day! Can't wait to see what she tries to pay in November......