The Venting Thread

[Springvalley]

Last week we had an incident happen involving a child in the younger classroom and that child got bit unfortunately and mom had a cow & pulled this child out. She contacted the owner & claims that everytime she comes to get her child that all the teachers were on their cell phones in the evenings and that no one was watching the children. So then she contacted the administrator same story so then they both try to contact her to understand the whole situation and she NEVER answered her phone. So today our administrator wrote up a letter stating that we've revised our policy and that parents are no longer allowed to contact their child's teacher on their cell phone & that if they need to contact their child's teacher they can contact the center and speak briefly to them..

[Rockgirl]

I would have the same policy if I owned a center.

[Sahm121]

Maybe I’m being petty, but I think it’s so ridiculous that I have to remind parents to have basic manners. They’re required to text when they are picking up and I have told everyone to save a text that says ‘good afternoon, this is xxxx here to pick up dck’. During busy times, it’s nice to see who it is without having to look at who texted. I have everyone saved on my phone with their name and kids names, but a simple text helps. Then culturally, starting a text without a greeting (hello, hi, good morning/afternoon) is considered rude. I’ve told everyone that… they typically copy and paste and send the same text… except today, two texted ‘here’ and one texted ‘outside’ . I almost texted back ‘there’
and inside but just took a deep breath and replied with my standard reply of good morning, come on back.

but is it that hard? Even if to them it’s silliness, why not humor me since they know it’s important to me?

i don’t like people lately 🤪

[Annalee]

DCM of dcb 2.5 text yesterday AFTER the annual eye exams a local program offers daycares "hey, so you would have no trouble out of dcb2.5 doing the eye exam, we told him you were looking for superhero eyes" to which I replied "the exam is over, took seconds and your dcb2.5 completed his independently without being bribed".

[Springvalley]

I would have the same policy if I owned a center.

Here's the incident that happened last week:
Last week we had an incident happen involving a child in the younger classroom and that child got bit unfortunately and mom had a cow & pulled this child out. She contacted the owner & claims that everytime she comes to get her child that all the teachers were on their cell phones in the evenings and that no one was watching the children. So then she contacted the administrator same story so then they both try to contact her to understand the whole situation and she NEVER answered her phone. So today our administrator wrote up a letter stating that we've revised our policy and that parents are no longer allowed to contact their child's teacher on their cell phone & that if they need to contact their child's teacher they can contact the center and speak briefly to them..
UPDATE:
We had a local technology company come out today & we are getting broadband internet as well as a new phone system. The new system has the ability to be able to allow teachers to text from our computer in the office instead of their personal phones if they need to send a parent a message during their planning period or break. We had the problem of parents texting our teachers which caused safety issues with the children.

[Springvalley]

Maybe I’m being petty, but I think it’s so ridiculous that I have to remind parents to have basic manners. They’re required to text when they are picking up and I have told everyone to save a text that says ‘good afternoon, this is xxxx here to pick up dck’. During busy times, it’s nice to see who it is without having to look at who texted. I have everyone saved on my phone with their name and kids names, but a simple text helps. Then culturally, starting a text without a greeting (hello, hi, good morning/afternoon) is considered rude. I’ve told everyone that… they typically copy and paste and send the same text… except today, two texted ‘here’ and one texted ‘outside’ . I almost texted back ‘there’
and inside but just took a deep breath and replied with my standard reply of good morning, come on back.

but is it that hard? Even if to them it’s silliness, why not humor me since they know it’s important to me?

i don’t like people lately 🤪

Did you read my post regarding what happened with a parent of ours & her kid? This is why we're changing our policy asap

[Sparkles]

Dcg, almost 4, is driving me crazy today A

Mopping the floors, "what are you doing?"
Changing a diaper, "what are you doing?"
Making snack, "what are you doing?"

Over EVERYTHING.

TGIF.

[BaileeB]

I feel your pain I have a DCG almost 3 who has entered the "Why?" stage and everything is why.
"Time to clean up for lunch" "Why?"
"Time to go outside" "Why?"
"Time for lunch" "Why?"

Drives me CRAZY. This is why my favorite age is newborn-2. So little talking, still cute, not as much sass LOL

[e.j.]

I have an almost 3 dcg who does the same thing! I tease her, telling her I'm going to change her name to "Why-nona".

[Alwaysgreener]

I ask back "what do you think I am doing?" Or "Why do you think?" They either stop asking or answer my question.

[BaileeB]

Scheduled an interview a couple of weeks ago for this evening even though I am not sure if I even want to fill this spot. Mom seems high maintenance and wants to start DCG2.25 out part time "2-3 days per week from 10 ish to 3ish" because shes been with mom since birth and shes worried it will be too hard on her to be away for so long. Then says in pre-interview questions that DCG doesnt know a stranger and is super social. So really its about MOM not being ready, NOT DCG. Then she puts in there that DCG basically doesn't know how to play with other kids because shes never been around anyone and described her as "Miss Independent"... I know what that means ... Well, I sent a confirmation email yesterday, no reply. She had said one email I sent went to spam so I sent a text message first thing this morning. Still no response and its 4 hours before the interview time. I am giving it two more hours and then I will consider it cancelled. Never sent out my address so if she doesn't respond, then shes not coming. Just rude that people can't simply send a cancellation message or email. Now she will be on my DO NOT RESPOND list. I hate the up-in-air feeling as well because I shouldn't have set up the interview in the first place!

[Annalee]

DCB4 has bit for the second time in three weeks; the first time his parents thought it was funny as he bites his older sisterI have had this family since the births of the two kids and also kept their mother; but telling them today that the third time he is terminated. This is NOT age-appropriate and not FUNNY!

[SandBox]

Oh no!! How did that go??

Just a suggestion for future, I’ve had great success with the book Teeth Are Not For Biting. If you don’t have it already.

[Annalee]

I have all of those books but when a child reaches age 4 and decides to start biting the daycare kids, that's a different ball game. LOL I don't even have toddlers that are biting. I told dcm that this was no laughing matter and for her to talk with him this weekend and do NOT laugh when he bites his older sister because he has one more chance and he will be called for pick-up/termination.....deer-in-the-headlight look but the 'termination' word resonated with her as she looked up at me eye-to-eye when that word came out my mouth. LOL

[mamadaycare]

So I know we all experience burnout and I know I am here now. I have been trying to push through since the beginning of this year and everyday is becoming harder. My heart just isn't in the business like it once was. I am so unhappy everyday and I need a change. The only reason I have continued this far is because of the convenience of working from home and I have a baby that started with me in April whose parents paid for roughly 3 months before they started, I also have the sibling who has been here about 2 years. I am struggling to close because I feel guilt about them paying to have care and then losing care all together. I know it is my business and I can do whatever I please but I am just struggling with putting my feelings aside. I need to find income replacement so it will most likely be a while before I can even close. I was going to try to make it another year when I graduate but that seems impossible right now. I feel so unappreciated by the families I have now. I plan so many things for our curriculum and no one seems to care. I know everyone says to do it for the kids but I also need to have that reassurance from the parents. Just like any other job, you want to feel appreciated. I think it is time to move on. I let my license expire. I have termed two families and didn't enroll anyone because I just don't care to go through all that again. My heart is saying its time. But moving on is not as easy as I need it to be.

[mamadaycare]

Yes! Our job is so different than every other job. It is not easy to be alone all day. That is something I have struggled with from the beginning. Like you, I have also found that I am just not happy anymore. I am simply doing this job for the convenience of being at home. I also have a child who shows signs of a learning disability and his parents won't get him evaluated by the school system so that is taking a toll on me. He is so hard to deal with, and I don't have the tools or knowledge to help him. It is ultimately their decision but my sanity is taking a blow. If I get rid of him then I would just close. But terming for that reason breaks my heart. I feel so conflicted all the time. I could literally talk about it all day long lol.

[BaileeB]

It’s awful because I want so badly to close some days. I’m the same where I go through the 5 stages every week. It’s awful because I am down 2 kids every Friday and it doesn’t make a difference. I don’t think changing my hours would help. But most of my families are SO appreciative. They are so kind and thoughtful. I’ve been applying to a few places and looking for something I can do from home. I want to be home to get my daughter on and off of the bus and I want to be more available if my son has an emergency. I just feel so guilty every time I need a day off and it’s not right. No one else is really made to feel the way providers are about a personal day. There is so much pressure to never take days off and I feel like I’m not there for my family. I think at this stage I just need more flexibility. If I can find something that is worth it, I’m going to take it and then I will just have to tell my DCFs that I was given an opportunity that I can’t pass up. I care so much about these kids but this job just never stops. I can never turn it off. DH even asked the other day if I ever think I hear crying when there’s no crying (lately he’s been home a lot during my hours). I said “yep, that’s been going on for months for me” 🙃

[BeeNature]

I know how you feel. I was feeling burned out and ready to find something else when my second child started kindergarten, but then found out I was pregnant two weeks beforehand everything shut down due to Covid. The two years following was so stressful with constantly worrying if a family was going to get us sick. I quickly found out that families will do what is best for them and I needed to do the same. I'm switching to an academic calendar this year and taking next summer off. During next summer I will be looking into other streams of income and hopefully finding something that will make enough that I can quit doing daycare permanently. Just hang in there and remember that this won't last forever...make the changes you need to make and don't feel guilty about it.

[Alwaysgreener]

9 year old school ager is complaining that he doesn't get a day to be first in line, when the younger ones do. Then as we go out the door he pushes past everyone to be in the first into the playground or to the bench if we are heading to the bus.

[Momboss]

Im not sure if my patience has run thin or what, but i find it extremely disrespectful that a parent would deop off every day right at 9am when i have a 9am cut off and pick up right at 5pm when i close at 5pm. This always puts the time over. Why is it so hard to get going 5 mins earlier?? Especially when your home is less than 2 min away and your at home all day.

[Annalee]

This is why I LOVE my ipad sign in....they have to be here a little earlier because arriving at 4:30 don't get it, they have to be signed out BY 4:30. LOL

[Momboss]

Im not even sure what the point of a drop off time is if im still expected to take in their child even at 10min late. I literally just for a text saying they are running behind and its 8:59. What kind of penalties can I even have for this? If not here by 9 then the next drop off is 12 for nap? As to not disturb our morning routine? Ugh!

[Annalee]

My cutoff is 8 and 4:30. No late ones allowed in per the morning..lock the door.. the evening is $10 first minute and $1 per minute thereafter and just a plain ole don't be late if you want child care here

[Alwaysgreener]

430 yesterday I determined that although I was getting fluctuating temps, the baby was in fact not feeling well. It had been more than 3 hours since is her last bottle and she was refusing any kind of food. She was in hold me mode and I would not able to put her down without her crying. She was tired it but wouldn't it nap.

I text DcM who is scheduled to pick up by 5:30 that child was not feeling good and had a low grade fever.

Dcm text back saying that she was on her way and that she probably keep the child home the next day.

I text back great sounds like a plan. Dcm arrived and then proceeds to say I will see how she's doing and let you know if she's coming tomorrow.

I say have a good night, see you next week as dcm walk out the door. (Note baby is only Monday through Wednesday)


Dcm just because it is happening at the end of day, doesn't mean I am not sending her home sick.

Dang I wish I had remember to send Bc doctor forms home with her. Maybe I can still email them.

[Blackcat31]

I would email the forms and tell her you forgot to give them to her at pick up due to having your hands full with a cranky baby.

[Alwaysgreener]

You know, I thought about it and she will not be back until the 20th because I am closed on Monday, by that time it will be 6 days since I sent her home. Would it really be worth making them go to the doctor?

[Sparkles]

Dcb10 months is the fussiest baby I've ever had. He only comes Mondays and Tuesdays and I don't know how much longer I can do it. I watch his older sister on those same days, and she's great. I just feel bad, because I had to let this baby go to make room for a full time infant until school started and my kids aged out. I didn't want him to come back because he was a little fussy, but bearable at that point. Well, I feel like it was bad business to not offer their spot back, and I 100% regret it. He just cries and screams at drop-off to the point that I can barely talk to parents. And everyone comes at once on Mondays, so it's just chaotic and the parents are awkwardly making sad faces because I'm sure they feel bad for both of us.

Dcb goes to his aunt the rest of the week. I ran into her last week and she said "he was so bad this week, I had to call for reinforcement!" I wanted to scream "how do you think I feel?? I have 7 other kids to care for PLUS him!"

Ugh, I don't know what to do.

[Blackcat31]

Terminate care. NO PROVIDER should have to deal with this. It's unfair to you, the other children and the child themselves. Some kids are simply not cut out for daycare and forcing them and a provider to deal with it while the parents get some peace while at work is absolutely not okay.

Tell the parents at pick up today that part time care is simply not working and it's just not worth your time to continue when EVERYONE is miserable. Tell them once he is older you "might" re-visit taking him back into care but right now it's just not an option.

Term based on the other kids if necessary....its super stressful to them to have to listen to a screaming baby all day. They will show their stress in many ways but I guarantee you they ARE stressed by it. As a group provider you must do what is best for the group.

It will save your sanity too!

[Sparkles]

That's what I want to do, I just feel a little bad because I haven't been honest with dcm telling her how bad he is. How would you go about telling her? He's been back with me for about 5 weeks, and I dread Mondays and Tuesdays because of this child. I just don't want her to be caught off guard because I haven't told her how bad it is.

[GirlMomma]

I feel for you! I did this same thing, I wasn’t honest with how bad it was. One week, I started being honest with DCM. By the end of the week, DCK was termed.

[Blackcat31]

Started my Monday in chaos. I was scheduled to drop my car off at the dealership for some recall work this morning prior to opening. Due to this, I opened 10 minutes later than normal time which is 7:30. I had told my two scheduled arrivals on Friday that I would be 10 minutes later this morning.

As I was driving to the dealership I get a text from my 3rd arrival of the day. DCM tells me she has an early work meeting she forgot about and is on her way to daycare and will be about 10 minutes early. I didn't reply because I am driving.

Get to daycare at7:40. She is in the driveway (which is a big NO NO). As I am walking up the sidewalk she gets out of her car and starts following me. I tell her she will need to wait as my two scheduled arrivals need to come in first. She is visible annoyed. I only allow one family at a time inside for various reasons.

First parent comes in/out. Second parent comes in....says "I am so sorry but I think baby pooped. I felt the 'bubbles' as I was walking up the sidewalk"
I reply; "It's no problem...I'll handle it. Have a great day! See you after work!" I take baby.

.....and then I notice baby has poo'ed up the back and down the legs. UGH!! I am trying not to get poo on me as I gather the necessary items to change them.

Annoyed DCM now walks in the door..... and tries to hand her 3 yr old to me over the gate! The 3 yr old has always walked in on their own. I see 3 yr old is in her pj's and has a waffle in her hand. I say "I am not holding her and she can not bring her breakfast in. Please have her finish it outside on the step or toss it in the garbage bin please."

I go about my business of trying to get the baby changed. I hear the DCM trying to reason with the 3 yr old about throwing her waffle away. 3 yr old is having none of it.
I hear some reasoning, some bribing, pleading and a little bit of begging. Finally 3 yr old tosses it in the garbage bin.

DCM opens the gate and says 3 yr old is ready to come in now. I hear her say she probably missed her meeting at this point. I say nothing. NOT my problem.

A little chaos, entitlement and a whole lot of poop in the first 30 minutes of the week means the rest of the week is going to be a breeze right?!?

Happy Monday everyone!!

[GirlMomma]

Praying your coffee is strong today! Hugs!!

[Annalee]

WELCOME to MONDAY!

[e.j.]

"A little chaos, entitlement and a whole lot of poop in the first 30 minutes of the week means the rest of the week is going to be a breeze right?!? "

If that's true, you're in for the best rest-of-the-week ever! lol Yikes! Not a fun way to start the work week but definitely sounds like a Monday!

[Annalee]

Just got a text that one of my littles has RSV....one more at the doctor being checked.....Neither of the two showed up this morning; no symptoms were here last week but you never know? Hope this spread stays down!

[GirlMomma]

Already?? Poor things!