Stick to your policies not matter what

[crafty]

Hey All !

I have not posted in a while but I've been around I just wanted to share with you a little lesson I've learned recently. I've been running my home daycare for over 2 years now and for the most part I've dealt with great families and things have been running smoothly. It has not been perfect but couldn't complain.

So, lately my daycare has been going through a lot of changes one of which is that I will be closing temporarily to catch my breath with our new baby once he arrives

Anyway parents have been great and understanding and the families I care for now have been with me since I opened or almost as long. I've had great relationships with them. However this one particular family started in with these ''special'' request that go against my policies but honestly I felt they were minor and did not really bother me plus since I am closing I guess I kind of felt a bit guilty so I wanted to offer some flexibilities. But then these little request have been increasing and some of which really did displease me. They also seemed to have been ignoring some policies and rules, forgetting things ... So at one point I did feel like I had to say No. I know the parents did not seem to understand my reasoning and I get that but it's still MY decision to make. Anyway after saying yes and rearranging things for them so many times then suddenly saying no to one of the request I guess turned them off as they decided to pull their children out at the end of the month instead of waiting until I close (that was the original plan). So I guess I've learned my lesson ... It does not matter how much you try to please someone...bottom line we are all in it for our own profit and bending the rules will only cause you frustrations.

I don't really want to get into the details of it all as I don't think it matters but I wanted to share this little bit of experience I've had. Don't bend your rules not matter how much you might think you know your parents and how friendly you have become. Remember why you wrote those policies and rules and what you wanted to avoid and STICK with them no matter what.

Now I feel like I am ending a very good business and friendly relationship on a sour note and I absolutely hate it. I am not saying to not develop a friendly and good open relationship with your families but always maintain to your business rules and keep in mind they could become the clients that cause you the grief you wanted to avoid in the first place.

Stay strong my fellow daycare provider colleagues haha !