CMs - Ideal Parent?

[bagsundereyes]

Finances dictate that I will have to return to work part time in September, when my LO will be 6 months old. She's my first, and so this will be our first experiences of using a CM. As I want things to go well, I was wondering what I can do to help cement that relationship(other than pay 3x the going rate ), and what things parents do that drive you up the wall?

Don't
arrive early
collect late
pay late

Do
provide spare clothes/wellies/slippers/sunhat/warm coat etc (depending on the weather)
let the C/Mer know your plans as soon as they are sorted (eg having a week on friday off - so don't tell C/Mer 6pm on the Tursday before)

If you have a little issue - say asap - don't let it grow into a big problem

Make sure you each understand what the other is saying

HTH (they are all my personnal 'bugs')

Same as Katy. Give and take is the key here. Just remember that she is your cm not your hired help and you'll be fine. I have plenty of perfect parents, one in particular knows that I like red wine for birthdays, christmas and any other time she has a spare bottle - PERFECT!!

Buy her/him lots of chocolate.

If something happens and you need to drop off late or collect late please phone!

Yes please phone - and not at the time you are supposed to collect to say that you are running late! Most annoying!
BTW, we are all very accommodating really!

Oh, yes, more of these please (MY c/m is just off on maternity leave, and I plan to be perfect parent when she returns (on present info not doing too bad - I've just finished a chocolate project & she had 3 of my spare boxes

When you collect your child, don't spend ages chatting to the CM, even if you get on well.
It is the end of her work day and she wants to get on with her family time.

Also it is hard then to know who is in charge of the child, it's the CM's house, but the parent is present, and the little darlings(!) may use this as an opportunity to play up a bit.

and ohhhh do they play up when parents are there!!!