I did something bad.

[acauliflowerisacauliflower]

One of the mum told me that she was coming to pick up at 5 because her dd was having a hard time with separation. I said no problem, I'll give a early dinner etc.. I have spent the day comforting the little one saying mummy was going to come early as she always asks about her mummy.

4.45 : when I get the little one ready, I got a text saying that actually she can't make it early...It annoyed me because I rushed dinner a bit (I have 4 other charges) and my ds was hard at that point..so I have texted her back saying that I had changed my routine to accomodate her, and she was giving me really short notice.. basically I sounded bothered in my text.

Thinking afterwards, I was oh well, it's not all bad afterall, the little girl is ok as I sent her a text saying dont rush, she is fine. she sent me another text saying that she was on her way, make sure the children are ready...she was crossed...

Now she just left, I have apologize to her but she doesn't seem to accept it..shall I grovel some more ??

Thats a tricky one.

Its cannot be easy for mum or yourself, with dd being unsettled.

when is the little one due to attend again?

What is the settling period for this child?

You have already apologised I would leave it like that and see what happens.

As childminders we have to be very flexible even when its not easy to do.

What are you planning to do if ths continues? you may need to talk to mum about this and find out what she would like to do. It will not always be possible for you to re arrange your day for early pick up all the time.

I will watch this space to find out what other cm think.

All the best.

Are you a cm? I don't think you did wrong wish I replied like that a bit more instead of letting them off. She will have been annoyed but maybe didn't realise how much you'd rush etc.

I did snap last week though with my sil who always lets me know last min if i'm having my niece and said I wont do it anymore as can't cope with constantly changing plans to fit her in.

Forgot to say its not bad what you did.

It was just a one off usually she comes at 6. I'm always happy to be flexible but I don't like be messed about. This little one has been with me for 3 years so I know her very well, she is just having a phase I think but I do my best in order to support her the best way I can. When she was asking for mummy, I told her that her mummy was coming a little bit after dinner..if she knew she couldn't make it for 5, she should have let me know earlier..no ?

I wonder if she was feeling guilty as she had promised to be early due to her lo being upset, and took it out on you a bit?

I'd leave her to it, as you say you have already apologised, she will prob be fine in a day or two.

Oh thank you !! I'm a cm..I really like her and I'm always happy to help her whenever I can...I have just snap a bit. I have apologized and I hope she accepted it !

It's a tricky one. I had the same issue yesterday. The parent said they were collecting early - then texted to say usual pick up time. Very frustrating as the child was aware mum should be coming early.
Even though I had a bad day with the child, I kept them as it only seemed fair as the parent pays regardless. Yes, I was looking forward to an earlier finish though!

I was going to finish at 6 regardless...she just texted me and we are good again.

Bigpaws - Like you I should have said nothing because after all I'm paid until 6. I just don't like change of plans at very short notice ! And I voiced it and I was wrong.

from experience its always better to deal with things in the early stages.

I had to deal with issues to do with early drop off and also not letting sick kids comes to my house if they are not well enough to attend school.

all the best

Pleased to hear the parent has text you tonight and you are feeling better. I don't think parents appreciate how tight our routine is at certain times of the day. My last hour is like military!!

I agree you didn't do anything bad - having told you she was going to be early it was unreasonable of her to then change it. I've had a parent tell me they were going to pick up at 2.30 so I've got all the children in from outside (this was in the spring) and got that mindee ready to go, hung about, delayed snacks etc. Only for the parent to turn up at 5pm. I was furious and really wished I'd said something. Poor mindee spent nearly all that time in his coat looking out of the window.

Yes this has happened to me and it's really frustrating if you have changed/ rushed routine to accommodate.

Cms arnt saints and you showed you were pissed off, she did too.

If she is a 'normal' mom then this will blow over, you didn't do anything wrong, least said soonest mended.