SOMEONE PLEASE HELP with this issue!

[Momof4]

I started in the business without a contract and was walked all over by my first clients. You are NOT alone! I got great advice from other HDCP's who cared about me and helped, made a contract, gave it to my clients with a letter explaining that I was implementing contracts to protect them and myself, so that we all knew the rules and what to expect from each other and it was all written down for quick reference. I made the contracts renewable once a year and I still do that.

None of my clients had any issue signing a contract and starting to follow rules because by that time I had some great families in care who respected me. Every year I improve my policies and wording, there's always something new to learn and if I'm increasing rates or making any kind of major change the parents know when it will take effect, on the renewal date. I haven't lost any clients because of my contract or changes. If you lose a client because of it, then you don't want them anyway!

I had a dcMom who worked at the hospital in my city but she gave me her schedule 6 weeks in advance. I don't see any excuse for your dcMom not to be able to provide you with a schedule, that's craziness.

[Mondaygirl]

I've done shift work in the past, and there is no way that these parents don't know more than one weekend in advance what their week is going to look like. I agree with previous posters that you need to make up a contract, and I totally sympathize with you on finding it hard to present the daycare parents with that! I am just starting out and I'm already nervous about putting my foot down, afraid they will decide to go elsewhere. But you know what? You deserve better than this. And if you continue to put up with it, you are going to be miserable, and ultimately burn out. And it's not worth your health or your sanity.
Let us know how things turn out!