A Sign of Things to Come?

[Judy Trickett]

She replied and said that payment on Thursday was no problem, but then went on to add that she was confused as to why she paid three weeks' holding fees if she was not able to send him for free...I explained the premise of a holding fee by quoting the contract that she read and signed. She does not seem very pleased, but she has agreed to pay up. Keep in mind as well that she came with him TWICE last week and did not pay, and then dropped him off at my house for 4 hours on Thursday without paying me, but still expected the next three weeks to be free, as she paid a very nominal holding fee (which worked out to be less than $100 dollars, and they signed in June!). My word!

I guess I'll give it a week or two before I decide what to do next, but between her expecting me to work for free and her son's issues, I am not optimistic.

This lady is sending huge red flags. When I read your OP I thought that she probably thought her 3 week holding fee (which I assumed was equivalent to 3 weeks FEES) paid for her first three weeks and was mistaken based on how you do business. So, I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt due to miscommunication/misunderstanding.

BUT.............

Then I read that she was upset after the email you sent?? And then I read that her holding fee was less than $100???? Um....I'm pretty sure she can do basic math and knows that two days with her present, plus two and a half days with him alone in your care is FAR more than $100 worth of fees!!!!

The behaviour?? Meh, see it ALL the time when the kids are with their parents. As long as they are not doing that on MY watch then all is well with me. I can't control what kids do while in their parents care but I CAN and WILL control how they act in MY care. I would nip that behaviour in the butt!!

Yeah, mom is sending red flags as far as payment is concerned. I would fix that ASAP. And if she doesn't get on board and pay you on time NOW and for the next payment she would be GONE.