searched (before I knew about this site) for care for my daughter after she was born in March, I was just un happy with the prices or the ratio, so I deceided to stay at home and maybe babysit one at the most 2 kids, then I have a 7 year old in 2nd grade. I did take on 1 kid, he is a sweety and my daughter loves having a friend her age. The parents are decent people, however when he started they said they needed to have flex schedule, I took that to mean every week his schedule would change and they would let me know when I would have him week to week. Let me first say I feel like I am pretty cheap on my prices, I am not in this for the money, I feel like I am benifiting from having my kids in my care and giving them playmates, it is just the icing on the cake that I get a few extra bucks a week for it. Only taking on 1 0r 2 also allows me to give not only my kids 1 on 1 time but also who evers kids I watch and that is what I could not find anywhere when I starting looking for care for our own kids. My Question, is what these parents doing typical or do you put up with it or is this totally uncalled for? My story, In the begining I knew the day sometimes the night b4 he(the baby I watch) came what time to exspect him, the mom would say something like I will have him here @ 9 tomorrow, not knowing until the day before what my day was going to hold was a little annoying, but worse things could happen. Then almost everyday (not kidding) for 2 mo's what ever time the mom said she would be anywhere from 30 minutes -2 hours late, I like to put my 7 mo old on a routine everyday that fits closly with the time the other baby will be here. Like I will feed and change her 30 minutes before he is due to arrive, even if it earlier that her normal feeding time, just so when he gets here I can have my hands free to be with him and know my little one is content and not waiting for a bottle or anything. Then there were 3 times in 2 mo's they wanted to change his schedule for the next day and not even call, just send me an e mail at like 11 o'clock at night that I don't get until 7 the next morning...After the lateness everday for 2 mo's and not knowing what to exspect or how to plan my day until the night before I just said flat out I need to know the Friday before what his schedule looks like for the next week, if something changed every now and then they needed to call (even if it was late) and tell me on my machine. The first week after this talk went great, then what do you know 2 Sundays in a row I had waited all weekend before hearing anything from them and had to call or send e mails to get a hold of them to find out what the next week held. Then yesterday was the 3rd Sunday since our talk and they don't call me until 9 PM to tell me they want him here at 10:30 today, which she is late for again... I love staying at home, I also love babysitting kids my kids ages, it is just fun and I am a good mommy, it is just me, it is like my thing, so if the one and only kid I watch isn't going to be here until like 1 then it would be nice to pop into my son's school and see if he wants to eat lunch with me, or run to Wal mart or take a nap or clean... all the things I can not do while I am babysitting. I know every once in a while things come up, but this day to day notice seems a little rude. It feels like getting hired for a job, showing up at the time they told you to and your boss saying oh I don't need you to work until 12 today, but you can not leave you just have to sit here and wait incase I change my mind... What do I do and is this what is happening to you ladies out there! Thank you
Thank you so much to all of you the answered. The same day I posted my question the mom of the child I watch called, very upset and raising her voice and told me she didn't understand why if I am open from 6-6 do I need a schedule from her and "so what" because I am being paid anyway (120 week, prices will be going up) It was a rediculous conversation and I had to ask her 2 times to calm down, the 3rd time was enough for me and I just said I told you I would not be spoken to like that and hung up... I didn't know what else to do. I am even more offended, that she really thinks that she is this huge important person with the hardest job in the world and she thinks I am a petty childcare person, and told me so... I am glad it is over. I am not sure if I can do in home anymore... It sucks loosing the baby that was here, he was a good kid and my daughter loved him so much....I don't want to run into any trouble like this again.
Tell these people to take a hike. there are others who need a sitter for 7-3 every day. They would be lucky to have you!
I don't worry about this anymore because I have an assistant now. I'm open 24 hours per day and I really don't care when any of them show up. My parents know that I'm flexible now and it's simply not an issue.
A couple of points though.. I do care that they pick up after work. Your not there for them to do ANY of their personal errands on your time. I Tell people that an occasional trip to the gas station is fine. Getting nails done, cleaning the car, going to the store etc.. That's not allowed without them paying me extra. I will however, watch them later for overtime (their overtime at work) without charging if I trust them and they don't take advantage.
When I was homeschooling and I didn't have an assistant, then I'd just leave. Even if the kids and I didn't really have an appointment, I'd leave if they were being inconsistant. I made the parents call me on my cell and they had to come find me at the Library or whereever else we may have been. I HATED it if the other kids had to miss something fun like a puppet show or something else we had planned because some parent couldn't get there when they were supposed to and couldn't call. You'll have to stand up to them if you want it to stop.
Suzi
That is absolutely unacceptable. I did the same thing you did, watching just one other child. I even charged $175 a week. They are getting basically one on one care! You need to write out a sheet of things that you expect - i.e., knowing AT LEAST 24 hours in advance what is going on,e tc...and if they have a problem with that, they can just find someone else.
Just wanted to tell you to try the website - Thedaycarelady.com She has a lot of advice and printouts. The best advice is stay strong, they will walk all over you if you let them.
I don't have enough time to read your whole letter, but I get the jist of it. I did child care for years. The only thing that worked ever was to charge a DAILY rate, and have cetain hours. So, let's say you are open for business from 9-6 p.m. each day. You charge her $50.00/day WHETHER THEY BRING THE CHILD OR NOT. That way, you go on with your schedule that is best for your family, and you adjust when the child arrives. But at least you're getting paid. Honestly, this is the only way you won't resent this family. Another suggestion, have her email you by a certain time each day to let you know what the next day will hold. Good luck.
I have a handbook and contract for my parents and it says that if I don't hear from them within 30 minutes of when they should be here, I assume they are not coming and can not guarantee that I will be able to take them if they show up. I take drop-ins only when I have the space so my parents know that if they don't call, their spot my be given to a drop-in.
Personally, that sounds like they are taking advantage of you. I don't know how you do it with a 7 month old, but it must be so much harder with that kind of unpredictability.
I don't have an in-home daycare at the moment but am in the process of opening my own daycare business south of Nixa, and have babysat in my home in the past. As an in-home provider with 2 small children of my own, I could not do what you are doing. It's hard enough to get my own children on a schedule without having to deal with people like THAT!! It sounds like they are really taking advantage of you. Calling you last minute (causing you to get up at hours you didn't even need to, etc!) is just RUDE. As much as it sounds like you love their little boy, if they can't bring him at a regular scheduled time then they need to find someone else who is more able to vary their schedule to suit their needs. Good cheap childcare is very hard to find, so I doubt you will have any trouble finding another child to watch. Good luck!
Hey, I'm right there w/ you. Your situation sounds about like mine. I'm a stay-at-home mother of a 4 yr old and I have a 7 yr old in 2nd also. I watch a 4 yr old girl and her brother. Last year I had this EXACT problem. She's a teacher in another district and the arrangement was she brings them and picks them up. That made my schedule 7:20(+or-) to 4pm. Well, the Dad's schedule changes in the winter due to weather. I suspect I'll have to deal w/ this again when winter hits. HE started bringing them... BUT I had NO warnings on what days they were doing this. It was like he just showed up whenever.
Again, I'm waiting for this to start again in the next couple of months. But all I said last yr were things like "I was really worried! I thought you got into a car accident!" and I even called their cell phones when they were running just a half an hour behind. What really bothers me is that they think that because we're going to be home anyway, we have nothing better to do than to sit around and wait for them to get their butts to our homes! And if it gets worse and you have the balls, that's exactly what I'd say. (Maybe a little nicer =)
Unlike you, I didn't have the guts to say something to them. But this year, if and when it starts, I plan on saying something. Not only is it RUDE, but it's taking TOTAL advantage of a good situation.
This is my last yr doing it. When my little one is in K, I hope to either get a job or have a book deal and write all day long.
Good luck!
~K.
Funny you should ask! I had this issue just this morning...only earlier than later. I watch one little girl before school (I have watched her since she was a baby and she is now almost 8). Her mom drops her off about 6-6:15am and then she goes back to sleep. I also watch another baby (1 1/2) for a life-long friend. This mother normally drops off at 7-7:15am, but sometimes she opens and has to drop off at 6-6:15am. I knew this when she took this job and was fine with it. But, now she just shows up and doesn't tell me it will be an early day. Today was one of those days. She doesn't get the point even when I tell her. I said this morning that she needed to let me know and she said "I called you last night". I said "Did you leave a message?" and she said "no, I didn't let it ring very long". Duh! You might want to let me know! But, I am only watching her for two more weeks becuause they are having another baby.
The mom of the older girl that I watch before school used to get off work and then go get her nails done or hair done or grocery shopping, etc. I finaly said something to her. I have a life also. I do not make enough money to put my life on hold while you continue on your own.
I would say you need to talk to the parents. Lay down the line. Tell them that you have no problem being flexible, but you need to know a schedule at least a week before. If they tell you they will be there by 9 am then you will give them until 9:15 and if they haven't called then you will go on with your day and expect to not have their child that day. Explain that this is your business. If you were a plumber and went to someones house you would give them 10-15 minutes to show up and then you would go on with your day....same thing here. Good luck. C.
I think you have every right to be annoyed by this behavior and I personally do not know any place that would put up with this. It sounds to me like they are taking advantage of a good situation. By the way where are you located? I am expecting a baby and looking for someone, but I am in the Wentzville area.
Thanks,
A. Wright
Hmmmmm ARe you in the jc area, I have been wondering if there were "daycares" out there like you and had no idea how to find one. I am "kinda" wanting to go back to work, but dont have anyone I trust to watch my two month old. Let me know if you are still interested in watching a baby. @____@____.com
