Parents tell me how many wipes to use?

[clep]

This is very petty and controlling from my perspective. I have parents bring a package of wipes and a package of diapers at the same time. Parents know that when I ask for diapers the wipes are also a requirement.

Wow. I think I might ask them if their boss counts how many staples they use at work.

[waterloo day mom]

I get wipes at costco, a pack of 900 for $18.99. That comes out (with tax) to just over 2 cents per wipe. So if I use more than 3 per poop, I'm not really concerned! Parents need to realize (luckily I have wonderful parents who get it) that some things are just not worth arguing over. Especially when you are nit-picking over something so little with the person who is caring for your child!

[playfelt]

This thread has been interesting. Even though I supply the wipes I have found myself counting how many I use and which child I use the most on.

[mom-in-alberta]

Laughable... absolutely ridiculous. I agree that this may be about more than just wipes, though. It seems like there may be a trust issue here.
I ask full time parents, and parents of regular/ consistent part-timers, to supply diapers and wipes to keep on hand. Each bag or package is labeled with the family's last name and they are notified when supplies are running low. I have never had anyone question the rate at which I am going through these items. I have a couple drop in part-timers that bring a diaper bag daily, but if there was ever an issue with forgetting supplies, then I would ask for a full container of each to keep here.
And for bum changes: I use a minimum of one per pee-pee diaper and MINIMUM of 2 (I automatically grab 2, and always have for my own kids) for a poopy one. Usually it's 3.

[BCParent]

LOL! I'd keep a log of wipes and diapers over a week period and give it to them. When they are concerned about the poop stuck on dck's butt and the wicked diaper rash, just calmly explain that unfortunately you had used the 3 wipes alotted to each poop and unfortunately, it wasn't enough but you did the best you could within the means you had to work with.

[clep]

LOL! I'd keep a log of wipes and diapers over a week period and give it to them. When they are concerned about the poop stuck on dck's butt and the wicked diaper rash, just calmly explain that unfortunately you had used the 3 wipes alotted to each poop and unfortunately, it wasn't enough but you did the best you could within the means you had to work with.

Ahaha. That is so funny!!!!! Thanks for that. I needed a good laugh.

[Rhonda]

Marie, although it is sad, controlling, and frustrating that the family has asked you to limit the diaper wipes it might still work out in the end.

I have a family currently in care that was so controlling in the beginning she told me how to cut grapes for her child, descriped diapering proceedures, and even went as far as describing how to administer antibiotics with a syringe.

Because the dad did pick ups in the evenings, I would get emails questioning me about things. I would then spend so much time trying to politely and professionally respond to her emails. It got to the point one email I blew up. At that point I no longer cared if the family stayed or went as the frustrations weren't worth the money.

After the blow up the mom emailed me an appology, I emailed her an appology and the relationship seems to be a little less stressed. I admit it has only been a few months since care began and I always worry that this family could leave any day, but at least things aren't as strained as they used to be and I don't get the regular evening emails.

When this was all happening, it felt like the mom was trying to control everything, telling me how to run my business, that she was insulting me, it was frustrating and so much more.

Things might still work out with your frustrating/controlling family. As a part of me hopes it continues to work out between my family and myself. I think we (the mom and I) agree that we are too controlling people trying to make things work for the benefit of the child who enjoys being here.

[mom-in-alberta]

Yup, it can be hard for control freaks (like ME, lol) to accept the fact that someone else's way, although different, is not wrong. And if this is their first child... it makes it all that much worse.