Hanging About

[Sandbox Sally]

I have issues with confrontation. I get anxious. That is the reason that I didn't tell her to leave. I am working on this.

[bright sparks]

I have issues with confrontation. I get anxious. That is the reason that I didn't tell her to leave. I am working on this.

Believe it or not I get it. I am much better in my business now, but that has come with time. I am a pushover in general as I am a caregiver by nature not just in my profession and want to help and rather than set my own boundaries and confront people when they take advantage of me, I just let them walk all over me. I am a work in progress too I think it's likely that this parent knows that they can take advantage of you and do it all the more and it's just not okay. This isn't a person I would want to be dealing with anymore and it sounds very much like the best thing to do is give notice and replace this child with a much more respectful family and cut out the crazy long hours. If you need to keep the child on for financial reasons, or its difficult to fill spots right now or because the child is usually a great kid, then I urge you to TRY to confront this issue in the following ways.

1. If you don't want the face to face confrontation, write the parent a letter stating pick up policy. Even have a duplicate copy with it so they have to sign and return a copy to acknowledge receipt, that they have read it and the change to their contract. State that X is your closing time so they need to have picked up and left by that time. You can make it nicey nicey by explaining that this is because it is already late and you have your own family to think of in addition to preparation for the following daycare day.

2. This is a biggy...change your pay schedule. I have said this on numerous posts. The biggest issue I find with late payment or none payment on this forum is from providers who are not paid in advance. This is good practice anyway, but for a parent who is a notoriously consistent late payer, you are more than justified to change that in your contract, effective immediately. Make sure you ask for 3 months post dated cheques for the Friday or Monday for the following 2 week period.

With any luck this will clear things up because unfortunately by not saying this to them, you are in effect letting them know that what they are doing currently is okay and without consequence. What's the worst that could happen? They'd simply give you notice instead of the other way round.

Good Luck