The problem is that a lot of people DO do this for a hobby. Certainly not myself, this is my business and we are definitely a 2 income household-we need my pay to pay the bills! I'm part of a facebook group for childcare in my area, though, and there's currently a big thread about whether or not providers are open for the upcoming Easter holidays. Some are saying yes, some no, and then the thread got taken over by 2 providers who said they "only charge when their services are used, parents can call the night before and cancel and they don't have to pay." I commented and asked how they can afford to do this, if it becomes a regular thing. Both answered that they don't need the money, that's it's just a "hobby to give them something to do."

I thought, must be nice!! Now, however, more and more parents seem to think that those of us that have contracts, regular payment schedules, etc, are not being "reasonable". One mother left a snarky comment about how providers shouldn't charge a premium rate for working on holidays, since she's a "working mother trying to make ends meet." But so am I! This mindset that providers are just making a bit of extra cash as a hobby really annoys me.

I agree with Wonderwiper, this parents seems to just think paying late won't matter, as long as she pays a bit extra. Maybe up your late payment fees? By a considerable amount? It's going to be hard to change her thinking though, if she doesn't consider paying late a problem. Would you be ok with an emt? Maybe she hasn't thought of that, and if you offered that as an option to save her the late fee, she might go for it?