Parents taking the mickey.....

[EmMum06]

I spoke to some parents of a potental mindee who wanted to come and meet with me as soon as possible. I am not yet registered and work full time and wanted them to come on the weekend but they insisted that they wanted to meet asap so i agreed for them to come this evening. i get home at 6pm so agreed for them to come over at 7pm, they said they would call at 6.30 when they were on their way.

Normally when i get in at 6 i cook dinner for dh and dd before dd has bath and in bed for 8 (she is nearly 4) but today i arranged for dh to do dinner for him and dd so that when i got in i would have time to give dd her bath and dh could put her to bed while i met with the parents (and i spent last night scrubbing house to make a good impression).

I am sooooo pisssseedd off. they did not show, have not called. not even a text or email. and i haven't had my dinner, is this what i have to look forward to? &

Yes, I'm afraid this will happen sometimes, but there are also some lovely people out there who will make it all worth while.

Thanks for looking on the bright side.

My DS is with a childminder and I wouldn't dream of doing that! I wouldn't do it to anyone though - some people are just plain rude. You've probably had a lucky escape tbh

Well you now have their measure don't you!!!
They may well have a genuine reason and haven't had chance to call you (trying to give the benefit of the doubt)
Take this as a learning curve -your business your rules!

some nice family are out there waiting for you to register.

xx

Im sorry to say but this wont be the last time this happens!!!

Only last month i had the same experience, and iv been in the business 10 years.

Next time insist on parents coming during the working day and always where possible make it convenient for you and the children in your care on that day, for example, i ask parents to come at 10am , so that i can still take the children out for the day, and they don't miss out. obviously some parents can't do this so you will have to find a time that suits both parties.

Don't be afraid however to call a parent if it is getting to the 20 mins late mark (leave some time for traffic or getting lost) having a parent come round isn't a 5 min job as you well know, and a lot of preparation goes into making an appointment with them, and it is very frustrating if they let you down.

Dealing with "difficult" parents is definatly a "learn as you go" experience.

Good luck for next time, the majority of parents take their childcare as seriously as we do and you will meet some lovely family's in your childming career.