Needing Advice on in Home Childcare

V.,
I am a single mother of a two and a half year old girl. I have had serious trouble with my daughter's last sitter, thus I am seeking a new one now. I know how important it is and comforting to have someone like yourself who goes to the extra effort with baths and things. I have had some sitters give my daughter a bath after she was out playing in the dirt or was feverish or something. The thing is, this is totally not your responsibility. As much as you may care for these children and while they do provide income for you, you do have other prioritites and responsibilities. You cannot just let them show up whenever they want without having a routine schedule and without letting you know. I would imagine it is not fair to you or the other kids you watch to base your day off of their schedule while playing a guessing game of whether or not they will really show up and when.
Besides their inconsistant schedule, these parents clearly aren't taking responsibility for even keeping their kids clean or fully dressed. Heartbreaking, really. However, my advice has to be that you have to look out for yourself and the other kids, so you may just have to tell these parents, as hard as it may be, that you just cannot watch them any more. If you must explain why and you bring up the inconsitancy and everything, be careful not to let them talk you into keeping them - or convince you that it won't happen again.
This sounds like a toughy! I wish you the best of luck!

If i am not bringing my son to the babysitter's I need to atleast call the night before. I would not put up with that since that is your source of income..

Hey V., guess what? I am a mother of 2 (girl 7 and boy 5). I was also married 10 years agon on Aug. 16. Happy anniversary. As far as the babysitting goes, I used to babysit for 5 years. I only kept 3 extra besides my own. All my children were from my church so I had a really good group that I already knew the parents. I'm sorry you are having bad luck with your new kids. It sounds like a family that is going through a really hard time and that is somehting I hope I never have to go through. I would just be patient with them for a little bit, then ask them when you see them next what is going on. However,if you think the situation is not good for your family, then I would discontinue keeping them. rememberr, family comes first.

Do you have a contract with this lady? I'm a licensed in-home childcare provider and all my clients have a contract they have to agree to and sign and a policy handbook to go by. If they can't respect me and my time then I don't keep them. My children are also to arrive clean, dressed (including shoes)and ready for their day. Also, my children are contracted for their spot that they take up at my childcare. If they miss a day they are still charged for it.
Hope you get it all worked out.
T.

Hello, I also do child care in my home. I have had this happen to me alot and yes it gets old. I don't have a contract as some others do but, What I have done may not be right or even nice... If the parent says they are going to be at my home at 7:15am and it is now 7:45am I will load the children up and go to the park, store or where ever. Just as long as I am not at the home for a couple of hours. I think sometimes to show them that you are a person and DO make plans you just need to show them. They seem to get the picture when they come over 2 hours late and your not home. Most will start to keep to there time they say because THEY NEED YOU. Good luck and I hope it works out.

Good Morning! I have had this same problem before. My advice would be is to make sure you have a contract!!! I have a contract with all my parents and it really helps when it comes to payment in case they decide to up and quit on you. I had a set of parents a couple of weeks ago who would bring their kids around 9am or so and then dad would not pick them up until 6:40pm, 7:45pm, etc. I closed at 6pm. So I made sure that in the reminder letter I sent home with them explained that if it became a problem then I would have to discontinue my services. They no longer come here if that tells you anything. I have to know if the kids are going to be here for schedule purposes. If she is saying she is going to quit her job, I would take that as a hint and cut your losses before you are out of the money. Start looking for new kids to replace them.

Been there before, wish you all the best!

A. P.