Tired of being taken advantage of!
By sunshine4
@sunshine4 (8703)
United States
July 31, 2007 2:15pm CST
I run a home daycare. This summer I am very low on kids. One of my full time moms told me the last day of school that she decided to hire a teen to watch her 2 children over the summer~ thus, taking $200 out of my pocket weekly! I was not happy, but then she said she needed me when this teen couldn't watch the kids. I agreed only if she gave me a schedule at the beginning of the summer. I was suppose to have her kids starting this week full time for the remainder of the summer. I was very happy with this as I really need the money. She then called me monday and said she found another teen to watch them so I would only have them one day. I was sooo mad. I feel that she is just taking advantage of me. I called her back and told her that this week would be the last week I am watching her kids as I have to find another job where I can depend on a pay every week. I am not really stopping babysitting, but she made me so mad! She then called me back and said that it would be full time threw the rest of the summer and asked if I would reconsider. I said no~ I have taken on some secret shopping which will give me more money than I am making watching her kids once a week. She said that they are in a jam because she just found out that the teen she hired is getting another job~ oh well...not my concern.
I am not really a spiteful person, but this woman has been screwing with me since I started watching her kids and this was it!! Thanks for letting me vent....
2 responses
@krebstar5 (1266)
• United States
31 Jul 07
I can understand how you must feel. You plan around this woman completing her part of the bargin and then she pulls the rug out from under you. I would suggest making some sort of contract with your clients. Have it say something like "if you sign up for these servcies you must give me [blank] days notice. Failure to do so will result in a fee." I want to say that some daycares do this already. Think of it like a dr.'s appointment, if you don't show up, they will often charge you anyway because that time slot could have been used for someone else.
I think that a contract or policy like this might not only make you feel better, but also give you more security in your business. Other than that, I'm really sorry to hear that this woman treated you this way.
1 person likes this
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
31 Jul 07
I have been considering making out a contract but never have had to. I have been doing this for 15 yrs. I guess it is about time that I get a contract for the parents to sign and keep.
@twilight021 (2059)
• United States
1 Aug 07
I agree with Krebstar on this one. A contract will also make you seem more professional and protect you from losing your time and money. You may even be able to find templates on the internet. Or, you can look at what dr.'s offices use and modify it for your needs. Even my hairdresser has a policy like this so I think people are pretty used to it.
1 person likes this
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
2 Aug 07
You know I have to say that you don’t often see this side of things when you are the paying parent. It is nice to see your post- I send my daughter to daycare- She does everyday during the school year- unless I take time off or something comes up- and she goes 3 days a week in the summers- I think it is very rude of this parent- and I would tell her tha I am not watching her kids either- It’s too bad for her- but everyone needs to know when they money is coming in and where it is coming from- You can’t count on her- I’m guessing you aren’t certified?? If you were you could charge her regardless- I think us parents need to remember that we get weekly paychecks- and it’s only respectful and right that we let our daycare providers know when our kids will be there- I can see once in a while if something comes up- I’m not the best- I let my daycare provider know every Monday what the schedule will be- She is ok with that- I think you are right in this decision- Hopefully she will be better for the next provider!
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
2 Aug 07
Thanks for your support in this situation. I am not certified, but have been doing this for 15 yrs and have never had a parent like this before. I am so glad to be rid of her. I did like her kids though and I will miss them.
