I know, we stress contracts, deadlines, policies and are all proud to say we own our own business. However, I have to vent. I am blessed with wonderful daycare parents, I am showered with random thank you gifts/cards, very generous gifts @ every holiday...all, that is, except one family...my most demanding by far. I took their 8 month old girl (she has become a wonderful child) who needed to start placement immediately (they were stuck). This family is my only late pick up (7am to 6pm day); 2 hours later than the rest of my kids. Mom has been a royal pain in my bum since day 1 (I have smiled through it all). I have taken this child on weekends when they were stuck. Fed her breakfast & supper (in addition to the usual daycare meals) daily. She has received treat bags (all families contribute Halloween treat bags & valentine treats for each...except them), gifts, mementos etc. All at no extra charge beyond my reg. rate. In return I have not had a single note of gratitude (let alone any gift of any kind). Today is her last day (parents begged me to keep her here but as agreed when she started I could only keep her 10 months); she is going on to a daycare center. I ordered a beautiful photo book full of images of her time here and presented it to Mom today along with my note (I write all of the children a note each June of my little anecdotes/memories/milestones of them) to her. Her response, are you available for any weekends if we're stuck? Honestly, just a simple card would have meant the world to me. I guess in the big picture I am receiving my gift; my supper time alone with my family back again...and a sweet 1 year old boy who starts full-time next Monday. And I will continue to be my generous, trusting, loving self because that IS who I am.