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Background... sorry if long! I have a DCF that has been with me for 7 years now. They are neighbors that live across the street. Since I had just started and didn't have you ladies helping me out, I made some mistakes early on that I've made strides to fix so that I could avoid being walked on. I've always had a contract that spells out payment, sickness policy and what not. I am state licensed. We live in a nice neighborhood (new construction 10 years ago), this family owns all name brand items, drives nice cars, and are definitely not 'hurting'f or money. They do however view themselves as 'special'. Yup, they're that family.
DCG is 5 and only comes 3 days a week. She is in 1/2 day kindergarten and I charge $35/day (Normal rate is $50/day). She arrives at 7am, I feed her breakfast and put her on the bus at 8:30. She arrives back at my house by bus (bus stop pick-up) at 11:50. I feed her lunch & snack and she's here until 4:30/5:00. They have another child that is 7 and in 2nd grade that I do before and after school for those same three days a week. I also feed him breakfast and get him on and off the bus. I charge them $80 a MONTH for this.
I had them sign a NEW contract this year and explained the drop-in policy for their son since they are not paying per day they would need to pay a drop in fee IF I had the space for him. I explained this and she seemed to understand.
November 4th was election day. My own SA children were off school so I already had additional children here, they asked if I had room for DCB. I said I'd check into it. I did have room and he came for the entire day. He arrived at 7, ate breakfast, lunch & snack and was here from 7-5.
Problem: They pay monthly, it's set up ahead of time. I sent them an invoice 2 weeks ago for December (including the drop in fee) and received the check less the drop in fee. (They use bill pay and it comes by mail). I was going to send a new note today, thinking it may be been overlooked. He came this morning with his two children during drop off to tell me he saw the invoice, but felt the situation was 'special' and that he feels he pays me enough (LOL, his words!) (he took days off to go to disney, I held his spot and he was still required to pay.. he looks at this like he paid for care he did not receive). He's argued my prices before in a confrontational manner to which I told him to go elsewhere if he found a better deal (after imagining myself kicking him in the chin). They do get 'special' in that I don't charge them summers (teacher family), I do not charge them a part-time rate and have given them the dreaded sibling discount in the past. I feel like I provided care they asked for, they knew ahead of time I charged for drop ins and to not pay me is not acceptable. HOW DO I WORD THIS PROFESSIONALLY... I feel like my emotions are too wrapped up and I'll get off track to easily. My DH doesn't want this to become an issue since were neighbors, but they obviously aren't worried about the same thing. I could overlook the fee to keep the peace... but why should I work for free just to avoid conflict. I feel this is fair. Help!
DCG is 5 and only comes 3 days a week. She is in 1/2 day kindergarten and I charge $35/day (Normal rate is $50/day). She arrives at 7am, I feed her breakfast and put her on the bus at 8:30. She arrives back at my house by bus (bus stop pick-up) at 11:50. I feed her lunch & snack and she's here until 4:30/5:00. They have another child that is 7 and in 2nd grade that I do before and after school for those same three days a week. I also feed him breakfast and get him on and off the bus. I charge them $80 a MONTH for this.
I had them sign a NEW contract this year and explained the drop-in policy for their son since they are not paying per day they would need to pay a drop in fee IF I had the space for him. I explained this and she seemed to understand.
November 4th was election day. My own SA children were off school so I already had additional children here, they asked if I had room for DCB. I said I'd check into it. I did have room and he came for the entire day. He arrived at 7, ate breakfast, lunch & snack and was here from 7-5.
Problem: They pay monthly, it's set up ahead of time. I sent them an invoice 2 weeks ago for December (including the drop in fee) and received the check less the drop in fee. (They use bill pay and it comes by mail). I was going to send a new note today, thinking it may be been overlooked. He came this morning with his two children during drop off to tell me he saw the invoice, but felt the situation was 'special' and that he feels he pays me enough (LOL, his words!) (he took days off to go to disney, I held his spot and he was still required to pay.. he looks at this like he paid for care he did not receive). He's argued my prices before in a confrontational manner to which I told him to go elsewhere if he found a better deal (after imagining myself kicking him in the chin). They do get 'special' in that I don't charge them summers (teacher family), I do not charge them a part-time rate and have given them the dreaded sibling discount in the past. I feel like I provided care they asked for, they knew ahead of time I charged for drop ins and to not pay me is not acceptable. HOW DO I WORD THIS PROFESSIONALLY... I feel like my emotions are too wrapped up and I'll get off track to easily. My DH doesn't want this to become an issue since were neighbors, but they obviously aren't worried about the same thing. I could overlook the fee to keep the peace... but why should I work for free just to avoid conflict. I feel this is fair. Help!
Definitely agree with this, and I wouldn't entertain any further conversation on the matter at all.
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