thanks all- i do have stimpulations in policy regarding illness and that pu needs to be as soon as they are contacted by me. however, i am going to rethink whether i need to put a specific time frame on it. this is my first instance of a parent taking so long to pick up. bright sparks, i agree the texting slowed things down and that was my error. dcm has told me thats the best way to contact her when shes at work but i probably should have called...very stressful morning indeed and yes mimi when dcg returns i plan to let mom know how upset the other children were at missing their morning activities.