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I have 3 full-time families that I work for. Things are going great. No problems there. I have 3 children I watch part-time. Things are going great in 2/3 of them. I'm thankful for that as well. However, that one little situation...it's really starting to irritate me. No one of us like to feel taken advantage of. That's a given. I'm definitely feeling (being?) taken advantage of and I don't like it. One little bit. Word of advice people, treat your childcare provider well. It's worth it.
I watch this little guy, (as is almost always the case, my problem is not with the child, it's the parent), anyway, I watch this little guy two days a week for 4 hours a day. He's supposed to be here 10-2. His dad is most often responsible for dropping him off. He tends to drop him off whenever. I've made my peace with that. With as many kids as I watch and the variable schedules that I juggle, I like a routine. I want to know what's happening when.
[Sidebar: Knock-Knock.
Who's there?
Control Freak. Now you say, "Control Freak who?"] Thanks to Mir for my new favorite joke.
It was recently pointed out to me that I love this joke perhaps because I might be a bit of control freak myself. Funny enough, that had truly never occurred to me, but I can definitely see the truth in that. When it comes to my business however, and the fact that I have the huge responsibility of little people's lives and happiness while they're in my care, I'm not going to apologize for being a control freak.
So, back to my story. This dad shows up whenever and then wants to pick up the little boy 4 hours from that. It doesn't work for me. That particular part of my day is crazy and I explained that to the dad. I specifically told him I need him to pick up the little boy at 2:00, regardless of when he's dropped off. Well, joke's on me. It turns out it doesn't really matter what I say, the dad three times now has just shown up whenever he wants, after calling and saying he's sorry, running late, etc., and he'll "be right there".
It's not working for me.
I'd rather not quit over it, the little boy is nice and he plays nicely with another little one I watch, plus the money obviously is nice, but I also don't like the "what are you going to do about it" feel to it.
I have 1 husband and 4 kids, 28, 20, 11 and 9...I'll be doing the mom thing forever, hence 4evermom.
6 comments:
Maybe an extra charge for every 5 or 15 minutes they're late would work? That's what some daycares do here.
Definitely sounds like he is taking advantage of you and your kindness. I agree with Mary. Send out a newsletter too all parent (so it doesnt look like your targeting them) saying that starting on such and such date if you are late picking up you child then there will be a charge. Most daycares in our area charge $5 for the first half hour and $10 half hour after that. If they can not pick their child up when they originally told you they would (when you first started the job) then maybe a new agreement needs to be talked about between you guys. They have to understand that you run a business here and that they would not be aloud to do this at any other establishment.
Good luck with this situation; pray you make the right decesion.
Our childcare facility had a policy to charge $1.00 per minute every minute you were late, up until 30mins. THen they called the police!! Time to get tough, I'd say.
That is a tough one! I've had a few in the past like that too. I would tend to the next time the parent called to come late, to say that that was fine but remind him again that your agreement was that the child be picked up by such and such a time, no matter what time they decide to bring him. I'd say I could no longer have an open ended pick up time, no exceptions, and if he was going to be late he would be charged extra (like the others have suggested). I would have it officially written out, dated and signed by both you and him with a copy to him. Then the hard part will come when you have to make that stand. My heart goes out to you. I know exactly how you feel. Praying everything works out.
I agree with the others. Once it affects his wallet, I bet you'll be surprised at how quickly the situation is rectified.
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