What Do Millennial Parents Want?

[Cat Herder]

"Pew Research Centre announced this week that they would be applying the term “millennial” only to those people born between 1981 and 1996. That means all millennials – at least according to Pew – will be between the ages of 22 and 36 in 2018."

So my kids are not millennials. They are Gen Z. I am Gen X.

The main thing I have noticed lately is that my newer clients preferred to have everything in writing to absorb on their own time. They emailed for clarification. Before the interview. They did not want to come and be bombarded with verbal information or waste time if there was not a high likelihood of enrollment. All who toured enrolled. I like that. My interviews have gone from 2-3 hours to 45 minutes, tops. No wasted tours, no trashed playroom, both parents attend without being asked.

I also noticed I am not working with Grandparents anymore. My newer clients seem capable of making decisions for and accommodating the needs of their own children without relying on the previous generation. Just a few years ago, I saw grandparents more than parents. All have been planned children in the last 7 years but one whose mom was over 40 (no, I don't ask, they all tell). I think that may have more to do with it than age, though.

The last 3 potential clients I had to decline have all been over 40. Drama, bargaining rates and demanding special.

*Granted this is a small sampling and my rates increased $15 per week in the last 5 years. I am mid-range for my community.

[Indoorvoice]

All of my parents are in this age range now. They like short and sweet at interviews. Bullet points. I go over my main rules and that's about it. I mostly let them ask questions. I give them a month or so to kind of get with the program and do lots of rule reminders. After the first month I get strict and they fall in line or leave. I've also found that parents seeking out in home care usually do so because they want the homey feeling and not the structured center. I don't do a lot of forms and just try to handle issues that arise as a friend. I try to be casual about everything while maintaining boundaries. It's a work in progress and I'm still tweeking my interactions.

[Blackcat31]

I haven't noticed a difference in ages (of my parents/clients) necessarily but I do see the different types of parents and it seems only parents in a certain group seem to choose my program while parents in a different group (commonalities) don't choose me. But I am perfectly fine with that as those that don't choose my program are also the type of parents I don't really want to do business with.

[Ariana]

I am finding lazy parents want me because I am willing to do things they don’t want to do

Win win!

[Unregistered]

All of my parents are in this age range now. They like short and sweet at interviews. Bullet points. I go over my main rules and that's about it. I mostly let them ask questions. I give them a month or so to kind of get with the program and do lots of rule reminders. After the first month I get strict and they fall in line or leave. I've also found that parents seeking out in home care usually do so because they want the homey feeling and not the structured center. I don't do a lot of forms and just try to handle issues that arise as a friend. I try to be casual about everything while maintaining boundaries. It's a work in progress and I'm still tweeking my interactions.

Good ideas. I usually take the lead in interviews so they get the hint that I'm not an employee. I guess that's something I need to address. I think I will add a bullet point list to my parent package to simplify things more. I hate confrontation, so I ask all my potential parents, if they agree and if they have concerns to express them before signing. I'm pretty forthcoming about not liking confrontation so we need to be on the same page to begin. I'm beginning to wonder if I am just over-thinking now. I just feel like what's wrong with me when parents in their mid 30s want to sign on the spot, meanwhile younger parents go elsewhere or play games.

[Unregistered]

Without seeing you in action, it's hard to know exactly what to suggest but I think you've been given some really good, honest feedback already. I think you have to try to strike that happy medium - somewhere between professional but warm and friendly. From what you've written, it sounds as though your warmth isn't coming across as well as it could. Is it possible that in trying to protect yourself from being "walked over", you're coming across not so much as professional but as hardened or jaded? (We providers may understand exactly where you're coming from but parents who have never worked as day care providers may not.) Since one of the parents mentioned them as a negative, I would forget showing the first aid, insurance and other papers unless you're specifically asked about them? You can mention that your CPR/First Aid certified and insured but I wouldn't necessarily show them proof unless they ask you for it. I do go over key points in my handbook and explain why my policies are important enough for me to include them. I try to make it conversational rather than a paragraph by paragraph reading of rules.

If all else fails, could you ask someone to listen in from an adjoining room during your next interview? Maybe they could give you some feedback on how you're coming across and offer specific suggestions on changes you could make? I wish you luck in your next interview. I know it can be frustrating to lose a family you really like. I hope the next
interview goes better for you.

Once I got a really nasty response from a woman (we had only communicated via email) and she used the word jaded too, so maybe my need to explain things IS coming across like that? After thst feedback I went back to my paperwork and softened up some of it, but it's hard to find the line between coming across as jaded and communicating expectations (for a lack of a better word).

My husband is usually with me during interviews as I find that psrents like meeting the husband, plus he is very good at small talk (my weakness).
If there is anything that I say that may be off, he definitely lets me know. Lol. I have had him look at my paperwork because he thinks like a parent, and he has helped me soften it up, but like someone else mentioned, it seems like the fact that I do have "rules" or whatever, can be a turn off, but I'd rather cover my butt. I like everything to be clear for everyone, but that may be part of the problem too.

[Blackcat31]

Once I got a really nasty response from a woman (we had only communicated via email) and she used the word jaded too, so maybe my need to explain things IS coming across like that? After thst feedback I went back to my paperwork and softened up some of it, but it's hard to find the line between coming across as jaded and communicating expectations (for a lack of a better word).

My husband is usually with me during interviews as I find that psrents like meeting the husband, plus he is very good at small talk (my weakness).
If there is anything that I say that may be off, he definitely lets me know. Lol. I have had him look at my paperwork because he thinks like a parent, and he has helped me soften it up, but like someone else mentioned, it seems like the fact that I do have "rules" or whatever, can be a turn off, but I'd rather cover my butt. I like everything to be clear for everyone, but that may be part of the problem too.

I too am old school and ALL business.

I am often times called jaded or told I must be "old" and/or "ready to retire" etc.... I've come to learn that simply means I won't cave, bend or waive rules for people.

Just a few weeks ago I had a teacher (not new but still young) inquire about infant care. Of course she loved EVERYTHING about me and my program. Even loved my location as I am within 2 blocks of the school. Wanted to sign on and enroll on the spot. I have a min 3 day wait period. She e-mailed on the 3rd day and gushed in 3 full paragraphs about how happy she was to find me and an opening etc and blah blah blah.

The last line in her e-mail was "The only issue I have is that I don't want to have to pay for the days/time we don't use or the days my husband has a rain day and doesn't bring baby to care"

Rather than e-mail back, I just called. Told her my rates and rate structure was non-negotiable and that all weekly tuition fees were based on enrollment NOT attendance or time used.

Um. yeah... she flipped out! Told me I was the reason there is a daycare shortage for infants/toddlers and that I should probably start thinking about retiring because there is no way today's working parents can operate under those circumstances and that I was robbing parents of their hard earned money..... (and the best one of all ) said she was going to make sure she told everyone what a joke my program was...even added that I'll be lucky is I ever have another teacher call for daycare ever again.

So, you aren't alone in this type of stuff.

I refuse to waive, bend or change my policies for anyone. I created them for ME so as long as I am the one that runs my business I will continue doing what I do the way I've always done it. If someone wants to think that's jaded. Then call me jaded and do us both a favor and enroll in someone else's program and be their boss because I am my own boss.

This many years in the business and I am not about to start being flexible in areas that are non-negotiable for me.

[storybookending]

...even added that I'll be lucky is I ever have another teacher call for daycare ever again.

Can you write down everything you said to her exactly so I can do exactly as you did? Never having another teacher call me for daycare again sounds like a dream ::

I know it works for some people but nope, every one that I have met has been so entitled.. this is from a girl who’s 3 closest friends are all teachers/soon to be teachers. Anytime one mentions starting a family and sending their kids here I cringe. I make it a point to drop in regular conversations with them that it’s a no pay no stay kind of daycare.. oh you have the summer off? That’s great.. unfourtunatly I can’t take the summers off from my bills.. I gave my SIL/BFF a break with her first but she’s well aware I won’t be doing the same with her next.

[Unregistered]

I too am old school and ALL business.

I am often times called jaded or told I must be "old" and/or "ready to retire" etc.... I've come to learn that simply means I won't cave, bend or waive rules for people.

Just a few weeks ago I had a teacher (not new but still young) inquire about infant care. Of course she loved EVERYTHING about me and my program. Even loved my location as I am within 2 blocks of the school. Wanted to sign on and enroll on the spot. I have a min 3 day wait period. She e-mailed on the 3rd day and gushed in 3 full paragraphs about how happy she was to find me and an opening etc and blah blah blah.

The last line in her e-mail was "The only issue I have is that I don't want to have to pay for the days/time we don't use or the days my husband has a rain day and doesn't bring baby to care"

Rather than e-mail back, I just called. Told her my rates and rate structure was non-negotiable and that all weekly tuition fees were based on enrollment NOT attendance or time used.

Um. yeah... she flipped out! Told me I was the reason there is a daycare shortage for infants/toddlers and that I should probably start thinking about retiring because there is no way today's working parents can operate under those circumstances and that I was robbing parents of their hard earned money..... (and the best one of all ) said she was going to make sure she told everyone what a joke my program was...even added that I'll be lucky is I ever have another teacher call for daycare ever again.

So, you aren't alone in this type of stuff.

I refuse to waive, bend or change my policies for anyone. I created them for ME so as long as I am the one that runs my business I will continue doing what I do the way I've always done it. If someone wants to think that's jaded. Then call me jaded and do us both a favor and enroll in someone else's program and be their boss because I am my own boss.

This many years in the business and I am not about to start being flexible in areas that are non-negotiable for me.

I LOVE you!! Haha. That's exactly my opinion - while things are going my way, and when they aren't, I start doubting myself.

Btw, what a cow! You dodged a bullet with that one!!! Yikes!

[Josiegirl]

I am finding lazy parents want me because I am willing to do things they don’t want to do

Win win!

Hmmm, sounds like a great marketing idea in the making.

[nannyde]

What do parents want?

A "YES".

Yes to whatever they want.

Your contract and policies are a bunch of "NO's".

Therein the problem lies.

[Annalee]

I too am old school and ALL business.

I am often times called jaded or told I must be "old" and/or "ready to retire" etc.... I've come to learn that simply means I won't cave, bend or waive rules for people.

Just a few weeks ago I had a teacher (not new but still young) inquire about infant care. Of course she loved EVERYTHING about me and my program. Even loved my location as I am within 2 blocks of the school. Wanted to sign on and enroll on the spot. I have a min 3 day wait period. She e-mailed on the 3rd day and gushed in 3 full paragraphs about how happy she was to find me and an opening etc and blah blah blah.

The last line in her e-mail was "The only issue I have is that I don't want to have to pay for the days/time we don't use or the days my husband has a rain day and doesn't bring baby to care"

Rather than e-mail back, I just called. Told her my rates and rate structure was non-negotiable and that all weekly tuition fees were based on enrollment NOT attendance or time used.

Um. yeah... she flipped out! Told me I was the reason there is a daycare shortage for infants/toddlers and that I should probably start thinking about retiring because there is no way today's working parents can operate under those circumstances and that I was robbing parents of their hard earned money..... (and the best one of all ) said she was going to make sure she told everyone what a joke my program was...even added that I'll be lucky is I ever have another teacher call for daycare ever again.

So, you aren't alone in this type of stuff.

I refuse to waive, bend or change my policies for anyone. I created them for ME so as long as I am the one that runs my business I will continue doing what I do the way I've always done it. If someone wants to think that's jaded. Then call me jaded and do us both a favor and enroll in someone else's program and be their boss because I am my own boss.

This many years in the business and I am not about to start being flexible in areas that are non-negotiable for me.

I LOVE IT! YEP it is a business and I see that more and more every day due to me being "OLD"::

[happymom]

By definition “millennials” are between the ages of 22 and 37 which technically is all of my parents. I’m going to assume you mean the “20 somethings”. So far I’ve found that the younger parents are easier for me. I’m young myself but I’ve found with the new parents you tell them what’s what and they, be it through lack of experience or lack of causing a riff, just do what I say. I also work only exclusively with people I know/referrals from people I know. It is a small town so I can get away with it.

I almost never hear people refer to generations by name in a positive way. I am 33 so I am a millennial. But I cringe when I here people generalizing millennials and convey they are superior based simply on the fact that they are older.

I understand that it's hard to get vibes by reading words off the internet. But if I got the same vibe during an interview that I got reading that post, I'd probably look elsewhere for care.

[happymom]

P.S. It has nothing to do with you being old fashioned. It has to do with respect. I'd send my kids to BlackCat's "old fashioned" daycare with "strict" rules in a heart beat.

[Unregistered]

I think it is the following generation. The one my daughter is in (18 year old). Spoiled, coddled and want the easiest road. Not all of course 👍🏻