Parents having the day off

[Cadillac]

I figure if you pay for the day then they can come.

I don't get mad about it. yeah, sometimes it would be nice to spend some more time with kids. but on the other side of the coin (just like us) they work all day, come get kids, go home make dinner, do bath and bed and CRASH! How jealous am I when I hear parents getting the day off!

I tell them to have a nice glass of wine for me, take a nap, and I'll try my best to live vicariously through them.

Everyone deserves a day off to feel free with no guilt and no responsibility.

Sometimes I wish I had a job that I could do just that!

[mickyc]

I don't mind if their child is here but to be the first to drop off and the last to pick up really gets me! Ya know it would be nice once in awhile if the parents would come pick up early to give me an easier afternoon or maybe just maybe to be done early once in awhile.

[nschildcare]

It used to bother me, as well, but not anymore. Yes, some days I wonder why they don't keep them home, and the one in particular is my first/last here, but my kids are sweethearts and by coming every day it keeps them in my routine.

[pink]

It drives me nut too! Taking a week off and bringing your child the whole week is very strange. Going home first changing and then picking up your child. I have a the moment 2 very flexible families, one not. God forbide they spend time with their child. When, you need to take time off everything is questioned grrr

[bright sparks]

I think most take a day off and are at appointments, running errands and doing things around the house that they can accomplished much more efficiently without their kids around. A week off work and dropping off right at opening and picking up right at closing time is just sad. If I know a parent is off for the week I make a point of asking them to do a shorter day. Of course they don't have to but usually do out of guilt lol

Since September I now only work M-Th. I am out the door at 8 most Fridays and don't get in till 5. I get more downtime during my week when the babies are napping than I do on that day but people still comment on me only working a 4 day week forgetting that a daycare providers workday is longer than most peoples averaged day. I still work a 40 hour week.

[apples and bananas]

I only charge a half fee for days the kids aren't here. It's in hopes that they choose to save a little and keep them home. And if they bring them, they pay full fees anyways.

I guess I'm lucky as I have clients who drop off around 9 and pick up around 4 on days off. I've never had a client take a day off and leave their kids with me for the full day.

I used to leave my kids at daycare on my days off too. (early pick ups though) The kids enjoyed being at daycare and I liked the consistency. So I completely understand, and am flattered, when a parent takes the day off but still chooses to put their child with me.

I guess it's all how you look at it.

[Fearlessbaby]

I don't really mind it- they are paying for a service and whatever they do during their days is up to them. If they pick up late though- that's when I would have an issue.

[mom-in-alberta]

I have had parents off for the day, come pick up late. My blood was boiling.
I have also had parents pick up late, and say "Phew, it was NUTS at WalMart!". Or pick up late with fresh from the shower hair, or a newly changed set of casual (not work) clothes.
Just.... No. >
I have zero tolerance for lateness, as almost every night of the week we are rushing off to some sort of extracurricular something. Of course I have empathy when there is crazy traffic, or bad weather. But if it becomes a habit, we need to re-evaluate. But when they are HOME, and still cannot find a way to get there, I feel incredibly disrespected. NOT COOL.

[Blackcat3168]

Lol I'm with everyone else !!! Just don't tell me !! I get its down time for them , but sometimes wish my job offered 2 fifteen minute breaks and am hour for lunch lol .
I had my own lightbulb moment the other day , prob going to sound silly but I owned the fact this is my business , I can quit , I can terminate someone I can use this to benefit my family !!! It made me feel less pressure to please everyone and start making sure I'm pleased with my life .
Sorry got off topic !!! Lol but even in this remembering this is my business !! I was paid for this day , who cares where the dcp is !!! Lol

THIS! Who cares what parents do or don't do when they are off? As long as they pick up on time and pay me, I don't care what they do. I DO feel bad for their child but if the child's own parent doesn't feel guilty, sad or mad about it, why should I waste MY time feeling bad about it?

Parents are going to parent in whatever way works for them. I can't MAKE them do certain things or feel a certain way. If they valued the time with their child as much as I would as a mother, they would make different choices but the choices they do make reflect their styles of parenting so to each his/her own.

I am a small business that sells a service. Using it means paying for it. It doesn't give me the right to dictate HOW they can use it.

If I need a day off or to close early, I do it and I don't owe the parents an explanation about it any more they owe me one about their days off. With or without their kids.

[bright sparks]

I have had parents off for the day, come pick up late. My blood was boiling.
I have also had parents pick up late, and say "Phew, it was NUTS at WalMart!". Or pick up late with fresh from the shower hair, or a newly changed set of casual (not work) clothes.
Just.... No. >
I have zero tolerance for lateness, as almost every night of the week we are rushing off to some sort of extracurricular something. Of course I have empathy when there is crazy traffic, or bad weather. But if it becomes a habit, we need to re-evaluate. But when they are HOME, and still cannot find a way to get there, I feel incredibly disrespected. NOT COOL.

This pisses me off royally. I am totally okay with parents sending their kids to care even if they are off, but to show up late on those days is a serious lack of respect for me and will undoubtably result in an ear bashing from me.