Why the guilty feelings and should I have them! have to remember this is a business

[martymonty]

I had a lady come, very nice, her husband had told me one thing about what was needed, she told me another. Then after the interview and I am asking her when the little one can start coming to get used to everyone around my daycare, she was like, oh I forgot to mention, I am going away for 4 months so she won't be coming until the summer, which is when I am at my max. I was kind of stunned so didn't really say much. Now my situation has changed and I cannot take her as a parent is returning to work early from maternity leave. I let this family know so they can look for alternate care and the guy calls and was NOT happy. I explained that my situation has changed and the obligation I have to this current family (as I already have one of their children in my care) and he was not very nice on the phone. He was like, you said this, you said that. What I felt like saying is, you were not up front with me either . After all of this, I find out they have two other children that were not even mentioned at the interview. How do you handle things like this, I am feeling guilty that I cannot take this little one, but at the same time, could you imagine getting a little one to adjust in the middle of the summer when it's already a busy time. AND she has never napped without being rocked to sleep. Ughhhh, sometimes this job can be so frustrating

[Bookworm]

I think you dodged a potential problematic family. Do not feel guilty. They weren't up front about their needs, and who knows if they would have even started care 4 months from now.

[martymonty]

I know, that's what I keep thinking. I gave them a heads up about my situation and then the husband called and he was upset, for obvious reasons and started with you told us you would take her, ect. I explained how my situation changed and that my first obligation was to my current family and that I had no idea this was going to happen. I just don't want him or her bad mouthing me or my business as this is a decision I had to make. Any suggestions on how I can handle this so he does not bad mouth me or what has happened. He owns a business where I live so could potentially know a lot of people who may or may not know about my daycare. Been doing this for 27 years and I have got to tell you, it gets harder every year dealing with people. They want everything for nothing.

[Bookworm]

Did they sign a contract with you? If not, then nothing was set in stone. I wouldn't worry too much about it as you can't really do anything unless you find out he has been bad mouthing you. If you know of any other providers in the area that have openings, then maybe forward their information on to the family.

[PattyCake]

I wouldn't feel guility at all....forgetting to mention that they don't need care to start until the summer would be a deal breaker for me in this situation.

[Fun&care]

GOOD RIDDANCE is all there is to say. I wouldn't want a family like that, ever. Do NOT feel guilty! They are the crazy ones, not you.

[martymonty]

Thanks, it just gets harder these days, people expect the world from us daycare providers AND they forget, this is our business and as much as we work for them, they work for us. It's the reason I started my business many years back. I did get in touch with someone who might be able to help them out and just waiting to hear back, so hopefully that will work out. If not, think it may be tough to get this guy to leave me alone. He was pretty harsh on the phone and you know what it's like once they have your number, lol.