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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

AIBU; Parent bringing lo to me in the middle of a hurricane?

69 replies

PeedOffMinder · 28/10/2013 06:45

We live in southeast London and, although it isn't technically a hurricane yet, the wind has definitely got worse in the hour I've been up and according to the weather, will peak between 8am and 10am. There are no trains running until at least 9am (probably a lot later). They normally walk to me, it is too bad to push a buggy in these winds, maybe they will drive, I will update.

I have texted this morning to find out what was happening as I hadn't heard from them and now (as I sit here listening to the wind howling and watching the tree bend), I'm a bit in shock that they are bringing Lo!!!

AIBU?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

marriedinwhiteisback · 28/10/2013 07:38

I'm assuming you're a childminder and you are objecting to parents bringing their children to you in accordance with the contract between you.

I got an e-mail from my employers last night (in SW London). It went something like we do not expect any employees to put themselves at risk tomorrow but we are hoping it will be business as usual if at all possible.

From where I'm sitting in SW London it doesn't look at all bad and DH left about 45 minutes ago and is hoping to go to Brussels later.

If you have a heart attack later today and have to dial 999 you'll be in a bit of a fix if the switchboard isn't working, the ambulance drivers aren't in and if you manage to get to hospital there are no doctors and nurses.

Offers grip.

Mrsdonalddraper · 28/10/2013 07:40

Not the point, I know, but it will never be a hurricane..

Explanation in the side bar here www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24690552

HSMMaCM · 28/10/2013 07:42

I'm expecting all my mindees today. Some walk, some drive, but they all got here in the worst of the snow last year.

Norudeshitrequired · 28/10/2013 07:42

Would you forego the days fees if the mindees didn't come because it was windy?
I'm guessing you would still want to be paid.

Minnieisthedevilmouse · 28/10/2013 07:42

Just curious but would you refuse them if snowed?

HSMMaCM · 28/10/2013 07:43

Oops posted twice! Blame the weather

3bunnies · 28/10/2013 07:43

Even if they aren't able to get into work they might be able to work from home and need childcare for that. Will you be charging them for today? If you are planning to charge them then no reason why they shouldn't make use of your services. The safety of their child to and from your house is their responsibility not yours.

ThinkAboutItTomorrow · 28/10/2013 07:50

I'm in sw London and it's blue skies here now. Bit soggy and blustery but that's about it. You were being a bit daft I'm afraid.

Snuppeline · 28/10/2013 07:52

I find your username distasteful and for that alone YABU. YA also BU for overdramatizing the 'hurricane' aspect of your title. And finally, YABU for being shocked your charges are coming in as usual. As for letting us now that you'll be updating, as if whether your charges are brought in by your clients or not is important, is VU. It's not breaking news dear.

HTH

Blondeshavemorefun · 28/10/2013 07:53

Don't see the problem. Yes it's a tad windy but they still need to go to work. They would have to pay you anyway so they are using your service

gritted kwym. I'm in kent. Drove home an hour ago as I work nights and car swaying and 2 trees down on road plus very wet and slippery due to leaves

Several of my friends mb's have said not to worry going in as trains cancelled and 2 houses have no power :(

Now tucked up in bed :)

okthen · 28/10/2013 07:54

YABU.

ReetPetit · 28/10/2013 08:01

i understand how you feel op - I have had parents resolutely bring their children to me no matter what the weather, their child's health, their own health, their arrangements for the day (as in both parents a t home.....) BUT that's another thread and that's the nature of this job, if someone is paying for it they will want to use it. I know it's a pita having to be stuck in with children all day but as long as the parents are aware and happy you won't be doing much today you will just have to grin and bear it.

I don't think it's going to be as bad as they have suggested anyway, doesn't look like it from where I am so hopefully it will be be possible to get out a bit today.

gamerchick · 28/10/2013 08:03

I think anybody would rather be tucked up at Home with their younglings in bad weather but sadly not a lot of people get a choice.

marriedinwhiteisback · 28/10/2013 08:06

ReetPetit. Have you ever worked for a company that monitors your absence and expects you to be at work regardless? There are so many variables as a working parent trying to achieve no more than minimum essential absence. Health of child 1, health of child 2, health of self, domestic disaster, health of child carer. Can you really not understand why a parent would drag themselves to work if they can get out of bed and get showered and dressed?

Norudeshitrequired · 28/10/2013 08:07

their arrangements for the day (as in both parents a t home.....

That is irrelevant. If they are paying you then they are entitled to use your services. If you don't want them to bring a mindee because they are not working that day then don't charge them for that day.

GlaikitFizZombieFodder · 28/10/2013 08:18

ReetPetite, I'm taking ds to CM today so I can go meet friends for lunch and get some shopping done. I have no family here so the only childcare I have is my CM. I am just thankful she isn't as judgy as the op or yourself. She treats ds like one of her own and he is at home there as he is here.

If I were unable to get to work because of the weather I would be expected to work from home, therefore walking my ds round the corner to CM would be a necessity.

Me23 · 28/10/2013 08:18

I too am shocked by the disdain at having a child in your care even in both parents not working that day! What's it to you? You are running a business not a charity you are getting paid.

I remember sending my lo to cm for a day when I was not working as it was the only time I got a bit of me time (was single parent, with no family around) my cm was happy to get the money.)

Jaynebxl · 28/10/2013 08:18

Agree, Norude. I have been known to book my DC into childcare and spent the day at home not working. Chance to get jobs done, have a bit of me time, be a lady who lunches so that when I'm back with my DC I can give them lots of time and energy again. Not really anything to do with the childminder / care providers so long as I am paying them.

GlaikitFizZombieFodder · 28/10/2013 08:20

And I'm in Scotland, it will happen at least once this winter.

I always though one of the advantages of being a CM was that you work from home. You can't then moan that you don't get "snow days"

givemeaclue · 28/10/2013 08:21

Hurricane...? It's windy. It is not a hurricane and will be over by lunchtime.

Some people love a bit of drama!

givemeaclue · 28/10/2013 08:23

Sorry, forgot to say

Yabvu

GlaikitFizZombieFodder · 28/10/2013 08:28

I doubt peedoffminder will be back to "update" us all.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 28/10/2013 08:29

I presume the op hasn't reposted as she's busy offering weather appropriate activities to her beloved mindee...

clam · 28/10/2013 08:38

I got the impression that the OP was just surprised that the parents might be out in very strong winds pushing a buggy, rather than her looking for a sneaky paid day off.

HSMMaCM · 28/10/2013 08:38

A couple of my mindees have parents who don't work at all. Perhaps they should never come . I never understand why some people what the parents are doing makes any difference (unless of course it's something a child might want to talk about - like attending a family funeral, being posted away in the army, being on tv, etc).

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