Is mom asking too much?

[Rachael]

If you don't control your business, it will control you.

I know that sounds harsh but you do not have 6 bosses for 6 children, you have clients. They signed up for your service as it was outlined to them during the meeting and in the contracts. They do not get to add tasks to what is already a hectic day.

Go back to your contract and do what is in those. Any additional workload can be denied as outside the scope of the agreement or can be agreed to as an additional task which therefore requires an additional fee. I'll bet she will be less inclined to insist on this never ending extra list.

She is not your boss. She is not there to mico-manage your day. You are not obligated to get into a text exchange with her during business hours when your work commitment include more children than just hers. Who does she think is watching and interacting with these children whist she's texting you? Would she be happy if one of your other parents pulled you away from caring during business hours?

In terms of the aggression, I'd be having a meeting and clearly laying out that you have a responsibility to keep all of the children in your care safe. It's not about excuses and reasons for this child's actions - it's about finding a resolution to stop this risky behaviour. Is she willing to work with you to resolve this so her child can remain in your day care or is she just going to keep talking about the potential reasons it might be happening? Again, I am sure if her child was on the receiving end she'd have a very different point of view.

Some clients are not good customers. Some clients are users. These are not the clients you want to bend over to accommodate because it always ends up being at the expense of everyone else. It's one thing to go out of your way to assist in an issue with a good, respectful, client who takes on board your comments and is open to suggestions about how to resolve issues and work together for the success of their child. It's quite another when the parent is demanding things from you but not putting forth any effort themselves.

Don't be afraid to send her on her way and close the door firmly behind her.