I am so ashamed and upset about what I did last week. (Didn't want to change my name tho I'm aware I could have) This is long so bear with me....
Had let all mindees parents know that I would be changing a particular part of their contracts end of Feb. On Wednesday morning I had one mum who is a friend of mine call me to ask me to explain it (or justify it depending how you look at it), anyway we got past it after a long discussion but I found it totally draining.
Like most CMs I find it hard to be firm regarding payments and I dread confrontation. I was at this mum's house later on in the day when another parent called my mobile, I was half way thru changing my ds's nappy so I checked who it was and put the phone aside. I then told the parent who I was with who it was and explained I couldn't face a debate at that moment, that I dreaded these conversations, found it hard, etc. I also said that I knew this parent would not be happy as she was unhappy in the past with my previous, more than reasonable payment system (which others where taking advantage of). I said I would call her later (I was still a little emotional from the coversation earlier on - I am quite a nervous person).
Anyway it turned out the mum who had called me had heard the conversation somehow my phone had picked up her call. She told me she had heard everything and would be finding her son someone else, she put this was a shame as he liked to come (only comes in school holiday mornings). I tried to call her to apologise but she wouldn't answer, so ended up having to send her a text to apologise.
I feel dreadful, have been crying on and off, hate to think I have upset her, am embarassed, and my IBS has flared up too. The ironic thing is I didn't answer to avoid falling out with her and ended up doing so anyway! If she hadn't heard I could have called her later when I was composed and professional and all would have been fine. Feel awful as payment issues aside her and her son are lovely. I don't think there is anything I can do now but needed to get it off my chest I guess.
My dp has said
-there's nothing i can do
-the parent was probably calling to tell me she was moving son anyway
-should forget it and find a parent who is happy to pay
but I don't know whether this is a male response or sound advise? I know what I did was wrong and unprofessional, just wanted to see what you all think of this awful situation