Sorry, feeling the need to vent my spleen on what is probably one of the most common and annoying downsides to being a childminder!
None of my parents seem to feel the need to pay on time! I charge in arrears to be accommodating and considerate (something I definitely WONT be doing once I return from maternity leave and re-jig my business and contracts) and they don't show the same courtesy and actually pay the damn things on time!
Several are monthly and it takes them a few days which is fair enough as they are higher amounts and are waiting for their salary's to clear, but I have two parents, who pay by bank transfer, I invoice weekly on a Friday and neither of them have paid yet - one is only for £18, and the other £46, so why they can't pay in cash I don't know.
I constantly have to check and chase them and I am so fed up with it. I have just emailed them and asked for payment and to set up alternative arrangements to pay until I go on maternity leave - cash on the Friday when they drop off - and fear this may affect our relationship as no one likes talking about money or being chased, I just wish they would honour their contracts and do it promptly and without asking. They may think I am being a bit impatient as it is only a few days, but it happens every week now and I don't see why I should wait when they already pay in arears and I bet they don't keep their hairdressers/ supermarkets/petrol stations etc waiting for money, so why should I have to wait when I am caring for their most precious 'posession'!!!! Arghhhhhhh
One parent, who used to pay really promptly, kept telling me it was her bank that was mucking up the payments but it happens so frequently - and she has now 'forgotten' as well a few times, that I don't believe a bank can be that incompetent (well, perhaps I should take that back ) so I feel angry that I have been lied to as well.
Anyway, I shall wait and see what their response is and if it makes any difference...
Thanks for 'listening'
xx
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