Anonymous advive request

[mamaof4]

Ok so I went far and above my normal this past month. I had agreed and accepted a young family with a 2 year old dcg. Both parents young proffetional, seemed to have moral, great work ethic, both careers. DCM is a nurse, he shifts are 12hrs all over the place. I accept them under the terms she has her days pre set for an entire year, she gives me the schedule and everything. Awsome I figure. Longs days drop off at 7am and pick up at 6pm if DCD is picking up, if mom is off of graveyard shift she picks up by 4pm. I even agree to 2 saturdays in a month.....so way more than I even ever would do. They are still in thier probationary period until next Thursday as dcg only comes between 13-16 days a month. So third day drop off dcd shows up at 6:50am yikes! He asks 2 days ago if dcd can come today, not on the normal schedule as mom needs to fly out? I asume it is work related (nurse). dcm drops off half hour late today?? no text, no nothing, appologizes sais dcd was tired...I just sent out an email prior to thier start up notifying all parents: do NOT drop your child off if they are too tired to get up in the morning etc.. obviously they did not read it As I had another parent do the same thing and arrive an hour late. I tell dcm, ok have a safe flight, then Im not sure if I heard right as I had all the daycare kids in my ear, but it was NOT work related I kinda was stunned. Yes dcd had to work today, and the agreed time was 8-4pm today. However when dcd brought up the fact that they needed me for today, it wasnt really asked if I could do it, it was more like they were telling me they neede me This 2yr old dcg is a handful, pushing other children, crying if I leave her sight, very much a spitfire, bossy to other kids, telling me NO flat out I have told the parents of my concern of her behaviour and they seem to know fully as they admit she can be a handful. These parents are really nice, YOUNG, but nice. I feel that because I had already told them that I would do them a favor, and agreed to take thier 2yr old well and above my normal hours, and 2 saturdays a month, they think that my rules for drop off times and extra days dont apply to them I am pretty upset that they would do this, especially after I have gone over and above for them. Should I just finish up this month and say bye bye. I feel super bad about it, but I am already getting so much resentment for them already, and I have only had thier dcd in care for 5 days, Or should I resend an email clarifying my rules again?

work your magic ladies!

[daycaremum]

Hold your horses. Be assertive with your rules and expectations. If they dropped off early, tell them I don't open till 7AM and am not ready for you till that agreed upon time. I personally don't have a problem if parents drop off later then their usual time as long as they call me to let me know. Set them straight on that too. If you didn't want to take the child the extra day, say no. Be firm with your rules. If you've only had their child for 5 days and it's not every day it will take the child longer to settle in a follow rules. I think maybe you need to give it a chance before you decide to terminate. Also, for people who have sporadic schedules like that, perhaps you need to extend the probationary period, as it takes longer to decide if the family and kid are a good fit than if he was full day every day.

[playfelt]

I have a family coming for an interview this weekend where both mom and dad work shifts and it will be the grandparents doing most of the comings and goings. Originally they asked for 3 days a week based on their schedules. I wasn't interested really so replied to them saying yes I have a space but because you would need me to reserve all 5 days of the week due to the changing schedule then my rate would need to be my full time rate as you are booking a full space. Got an email back saying no problem we are ok with that. Will see if they are still ok with it at the interview or the week after if they visit a few more homes.

My point is what you may need to do is change things to be in your favour with the idea of sporadic is costing you lost income so to start they pay for full time space and can use only a certain number of hours per week - ie a late day counts as part of the next so if they are longer one day then they don't come the next. Even if the child does end up being brought to care even on their no work days at least you and the child will have consistency.

[Inspired by Reggio]

YOUR business ~ YOUR rules!

If you have a 'probationary' period I would 'end' the relationship if it not working for you cause you will burn out otherwise specially if they are not staying within the original agreement and just say it is proving to be more challenging that it initially sounded and the arrangement is not in the best interest of the program!

Personally I do not do 'flex care' for this very reason ~ every provider I have hear talking about their experiences with it has a negative one ... ultimately those using flex care do not realize it is PREMIUM service that basically has the provider loosing income for the pleasure of serving them ~ I prefer to have 'full time' income!