Does any one ever feel like they just want to walk way from family childcare?

[samantha3]

Hi Alphaghetti,

I feel I am underappreciated because today for example, at 930am I had two children (waiting for three) and in my contract there is a policy about letting me know if you are coming in by 9am. So I left the house to go and take a letter to the mail box with the two children in my care because I assumed they were not coming in as they did not contact myself. I then get a text msg from one of the parents saying she is on her way and I did not hear back from the other two. When I arrived back to my place two families were waiting for me (one just arrived and made the comment 'oh do I have perfect timing today'.

I have already sent out a reminder email about two months ago reminding families to review and acknowledge this policy (it was great for about two weeks). Now it is back to them coming anytime between 9am and 11am. This makes me just want to take whoever is here at 9am, hop on a bus and be very far away just to prove a point but I just cannot bring myself to do it.

Do you think I should send out another email reminder?

Thanks for all your help

[Skysue]

Hi Alphaghetti,

I feel I am underappreciated because today for example, at 930am I had two children (waiting for three) and in my contract there is a policy about letting me know if you are coming in by 9am. So I left the house to go and take a letter to the mail box with the two children in my care because I assumed they were not coming in as they did not contact myself. I then get a text msg from one of the parents saying she is on her way and I did not hear back from the other two. When I arrived back to my place two families were waiting for me (one just arrived and made the comment 'oh do I have perfect timing today'.

I have already sent out a reminder email about two months ago reminding families to review and acknowledge this policy (it was great for about two weeks). Now it is back to them coming anytime between 9am and 11am. This makes me just want to take whoever is here at 9am, hop on a bus and be very far away just to prove a point but I just cannot bring myself to do it.

Do you think I should send out another email reminder?

Thanks for all your help

Sorry they are taking advantage of you it really makes you feel like crap. Been there and you really should have taken your time when you got the text. I don't carry a cell due to this mentality that people have that you will be at there beck and call ASAP and for me my policy is if you want to change your schedule you must give me 12 hours notice, unless it’s an emergency

You should let them know that they must give you ample notice of any changes or there will be an additional fee involved. I used to have a parent that dropped off at the most crazy times due to be on call and I hated it as it really can ruin your day. We have routines and activities scheduled for a reason!

Know that your not alone but you need to speak to these parents in person regarding this issue. How would they feel if their boss changed their schedule on them last minute?

Or how would they feel if at pick up your weren’t there due to taking your time at the park! LOL

Hang in there we love you!

[Momof4]

Hi Alphaghetti,

I feel I am underappreciated because today for example, at 930am I had two children (waiting for three) and in my contract there is a policy about letting me know if you are coming in by 9am. So I left the house to go and take a letter to the mail box with the two children in my care because I assumed they were not coming in as they did not contact myself. I then get a text msg from one of the parents saying she is on her way and I did not hear back from the other two. When I arrived back to my place two families were waiting for me (one just arrived and made the comment 'oh do I have perfect timing today'.

I have already sent out a reminder email about two months ago reminding families to review and acknowledge this policy (it was great for about two weeks). Now it is back to them coming anytime between 9am and 11am. This makes me just want to take whoever is here at 9am, hop on a bus and be very far away just to prove a point but I just cannot bring myself to do it.

Do you think I should send out another email reminder?

Thanks for all your help

I'm sorry but why is it your problem that the parents come at the wrong time? It is their problem! I think it is awesome that you were out of the house when the parents wanted to arrive at the wrong time and I think you should do that more often. I'm serious, I did that when I was having this problem with one family and it worked wonders.

In my case I made a rule that the family had to arrive before 9am because we leave to go to parks and the library and etc. at 9:30 quite often. I will not wait around for people because I make plans and stick to them.

As far as quitting this career choice, NO, a big NO! But I've been doing this for 4 years now after working outside the home all my life and that is what I would never do again. I will never work for somebody else again.

However, I do get really tired and burned out so I take a week vacation near the beginning of the year, a week vacation in the summer and a week vacation in Oct. and a week vacation in Dec. Every 3 months I know I have that week to look forward to so that I can recharge my batteries and come back fresh. It's working for me.