Advice re Unhappy parent!

[laurenamium]

I have been child minding since September and have been lucky enough to be full already with lovely parents and children who are happy with the care they receive.

HOWEVER, I have just been told through a mutual friend that a parent has updated a Facebook status (i dont have parents on facebook) to say something along the lines of "my childminder is a silly bitch with an attitude p problem" I am that she feels like this and also that she hasn't spoke to me direct about any issues. Especially given that I'm not even sure where it has come from! Only last week she commented on how happy she was to have found me!

What should I do about it? What would you do in this situation? If I was looking for child care for my DD I certainly wouldn't be happy to leave her with someone who I thought was a bitch with an attitude!! I am !!

Thank you

I did think about that flisspaps! The last thing I need is my reputation ruined- there are a LOT of childminders in this area and parents have a lot of choice. But the children are my only school run, and I have figured if I don't have them I won't keep my face known in the school IYSWIM, and parents there know I don't have an attitude problem (I think) as obviously we chatter whilst waiting for the children to come out of school. The damage has already been done on FB, but I'm hoping I can keep some reputation by continuing to be myself at the school. Youngest Child was happily telling her friends that she loves her child minder and she wished she could live with me and have picnics in the garden EVERY DAY today

Oh good thinking lingdilong!

I think you handled it just right

Great news, lauren. Sounds like you handled it brilliantly.

I admire you but no I would have given notice.

Noone calls me a bitch because I am not.

I would have written to all parents explaining why I had given notice, she made it public by saying this and other parents may have seen or heard and wonder why.

She had no right to potentially harm your business reputation because she was havin a 'hard time'

I couldn't work with someone so rude and disrespectful and she defiantly wouldn't be welcome by my dh and older children. My dh would be livid.

Oh and I would force her to make a full apology on Facebook as well by threatening her with a solicitors letter for slander.

This could ruin your business.

I think you handled that really well! Not too soft at all, and I think you are only human to think of how they are all feeling too, empathy is one of your best qualities I imagine, or I doubt you could handle childcare in the first place! Well done x

Another one who thinks a retraction on Facebook should be made..

Anyhow well done you.

Bit late to ask for retraction now though.

This is the awfulness of what social media can do - one daft misconceived thought can be out there for all sorts of people to read. Does no one any favours. Having said that, it could also be that no-one at the school read it or took any notice - so I wouldn't be drawing it to people's attention. I think continuing to show what you are like by example makes sense.

laurenamium, so glad you got it sorted. You sound like a lovely childminder. So caring. The mum needs a kick up the bum re communication, you should have known all these things as they were happening so as to properly support kidlet!

Thank you everyone for advice and reassurance! [flower]

Happy jubilee for those celebrating!

You are a gem, I couldn't have been so calm and professional about it: she is v lucky indeed to have been given a second chance, hope she appreciates it and gives you no more trouble.