What To Do....SO Frustrated!!!!!!!/Bit of a vent

[sunrise]

Hi All...

I would love your opinions/input on this matter please.

I have had this one very difficult family since last fall. I was new to the home daycare thing and they seemed pleasant but a little "off" during the interview. They wanted to renegotiate many parts of my contract and while I did negotiate some items (my fee, a week off unpaid at Christmas, etc). However, I was unwilling to bend in other areas (unpaid vacations taken by them, not having to pay if their child is sick).

This family is let's say... challenging. Here is a list of some ongoing issues:

-Dcb is very needy and cries a lot, even when getting attention. He constantly needs to be entertained or he will nonstop cry, often until he throws up. Their solution to this is to give him a soother and let him watch Baby Einstein or Youtube because that is what they do at home and he is not fussy there. I don't allow this, as it stated in my contract that we have minimal TV time and soothers are only allowed at nap times (I have since caved and now allow him to have a soother on a leash that they have provided).

-Dcb usually arrives in clothes way too big for him (2T+ when he is in 18 mos -sometimes shirts are so large I can see his nipples). He has come in the same dirty clothes he was in from the day before. He often arrives in soiled diapers that he has clearly been in for awhile. When I have addressed these issues I am told "I will mention it to the other parent" but nothing changes.

-I have had many issues with them when needing new weather attire.
Example 1: They were sending him in knitted boots in winter and I had to request winter boots. They took a week and a half to get boots for him and they were 3 sizes too big so I sent them home and requested proper fitting boots, it took another week.
Example 2: I asked for splash pants and was confronted with "What's wrong with his snow pants? Can't he just use those?" It was 15C out.
There are many more incidents but I won't write them all.

-Dcd has an attitude problem and often has an accusatory tone with me. "DCB has bags under his eyes. Did you let him nap today?". This bothers me more because he is usually only rude to me when he notices my spouse isn't home. One time my spouse even parked our car on another street, just to listen to a pick up, and was shocked by the change in demeanor towards me.

-Dcb is very destructive and often doesn't want to participate in planned activities but will go off and break household items or rip pages in books. I have mentioned this to dcd and have been told "he doesn't do this at home, he just seems to have an issue here".

-Dcb is usually dropped off 10-30 minutes early and I have kindly not charged for that.

-Dcp do not seem to understand the sick policy or why I have it. I am constantly having to review the policy with them when their child is sick or unwell. They try to convince me via text to allow them to drop dcb off sick or not pick him up by saying "he was fine this morning" and/or "he threw up but he isn't fussy so why does he need to leave?". They have even asked if I would accept dcb the one time my child was sick, so they don't have to take work off.
*** [Sick Policy: Child will not be admitted to daycare with any one of the following symptoms: fever, vomiting, diarrhea (more than twice), or rash other than mild diaper rash or heat related rash. You will also be called at my discretion should your child clearly appear to be uncomfortable, regardless of whether other symptoms have appeared.]***

-I allow parents 1 warning when picking up late and as per my contract, any subsequent late arrivals result in paying a $5 late fee. Two weeks ago dcd was late for pick up. He texted me to let me know and before he left, I mentioned I would be charging him a $5 late fee, as per my contract. He disagreed with that and thought because he told me he shouldn't have to pay. That next evening, I was told and then emailed a 2 week notice of termination that May 20 will be dcb's last day.

So yesterday, dcb vomited all over himself. I cleaned him up, changed his clothes, then cleaned and disinfected the vomit. Afterwards, I messaged dcm saying that dcb was sick but that it was close to pick up time so I would just wait for him to be picked up, but he would not be allowed to return today. I received a message back saying that he could have overeaten we will see how he feels that evening and if he isn't sick again, he will come. I replied that unfortunately, I would not be accepting dcb today. This morning dcd tries to drop off dcb and I inform him politely that I would not be accepting dcb today because he was sick yesterday. Dcd became very irritated and confrontatonal saying how it was most likely just gas or overeating and a fluke that dcb was sick. Dcd said that "these things happen" and dcb was fine last night. Dcd told me sternly that he doesn't agree with this. I told him that this is my daycare and I have this policy to keep myself/my family and the other children/families healthy. He says "Fine. I think this is ridiculous". Then dcd goes to his car and puts dcb in his carseat. Dcd then returns and POUNDS on my door, I open it nervously, and he lashes out at me - demanding that I go get the copy of this contract he signed, RIGHT NOW (raised voice), in front of other children. I inform him that I am working and I will email him a scan of his signed copy when I have time.

I am so beyond frustrated with this family that it is effecting my mental health and my love of my job. Dcb only has 2 more days here but I do not want to deal with any more confrontation or rude behaviour from dcd. I'm DONE with dcd's poor and disrespectful attitude. Is it rude to email dcd & dcm a termination letter effective immediately? Am I in the wrong to do this? What would you do?

I am so fed up I want to cry. Any advice/opinions would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks