I only charge $5/half hour for overtime or $5/half hour if over 9 hours of care, so I guess I'm a pushover! But I very rarely have any family abuse my policy so I feel very lucky. I do make it clear at the interview stage that my days run from 7:30-4:30 usually (5pm is my official close so will work to that time if needed), then I have to do cleanup from the day, dishes for 6 people (I don't have a dishwasher) and food and activities prep for the next day.

I just had a Mom who had to work mandatory overtime on Tues & Thurs for several weeks and she went 15 minutes over the 9 hour day but within my hours of business and paid the extra $5 per day. At the end of her overtime days she showed up with a box of chocolates to thank me for letting her son stay overtime all of those days too. If you ask for respect you will receive respect. And I had honestly told her that I was going to put the tv on a cartoon for her son for those last 15 minutes because he would be staying into the hours when I start rushing around getting my end of the day chores accomplished.

Pookie, you need a business hat! Here -> put it on. Now let's get serious!

When do you renew your contracts? I do this once a year so I can make any changes necessary depending on the lesson I learned over the past year. You need to either make new contracts with definite rules on anything that is making your life miserable or draft a letter regarding things that must change immediatly. You address and give the letter to all families in your care so that you are not centering anybody out. You tell yourself that you are a businesswoman and leave your heart on the sideline.

One thing my friends in the business taught me in my first year in business is exactly what I am telling you now. We are nurturers, caregivers, loving, sweet people and that's why parents want us to take care of their children. But when dealing with the parents we are running a business and have to be strong. It's difficult but necessary if we survive. I'm almost about to celebrate my 4th anniversary of success because I learned to say ........according to our contract......