So this has been a bad month for sickness! Of course i clean/disinfect as much as i can but no matter what i do i work with kids and most of the time its them who bring it in and we all get sick. The first week of Dec i got strepped throat and had fever for 5 days, i only closed ONE day. Then this week both my kids got ear infections so i closed on wednesday so they can get some rest in a QUIET house.... Normally when my kids wake up with runny nose, slight fever, or anything like that i will call the parents and let them know what my kids symptoms are and its up to them if they still want to bring their kids as i do stay open.
Now this family I watch is ALWAYS lake picking up their child, usually 10-15 min late (after i close) so i sit at the front with their daughter and wait and NEVER say anything. I have always worked with them to make things easier for them. The dad has forgotten her lunch many times and i have always said it was ok i would give her something and have NEVER charged them for this. They always pay a day or 2 late, i have bills to pay too and those cant be late. Anyway i always go out of my way for this family and have never charged them late fee (pick up and payment) or for meals. The parents live with the fathers parents so there are 4 adults in their house. My contract states that if i have to close for ilnesses or emergency I am NOT responsible for finding alternate care as I dont have a sub, and they will get a credit for that day on their next payment. Now i have only had to close twice since they started in September. When I called on wednesday to let the mom know i had to close she kept telling me she was at risk of loosing her job over this, i apologized but i had to, then she asked if she could bring her another day and i said sure no problem so she came yesterday instead. When the dad picks up the little girl last night, of course late as usuall, he gives me a 10 min lecture on how this isnt ok, that because of me the wife was at risk of loosing her job, telling me if this happens again they will have to pull her out. That i wasnt thinking of them and how inconvenient this was. I explained to him that I am a mom and I also have to think of my kids and myself and that from the very beginning i told them if i had to close I didnt have anyone to take over, as everyone I know works mon to friday during the day. I tried to be sympathetic and listen but he just kept on, I was in shock and didnt know what else to do. What do THEY do when they are sick or their child is sick and they have to stay home?? They call in sick, and do they find a replacement?? NO. Plus there are 4 adults in the house, I am sure someone else can stay with the child. I cant believe they were blaming ME for the wifes job being at risk because I closed 2 days!!!! I was devastated...
What do YOU guys do when you or your child is sick and have to close?? I mean this IS our home too...