Relationships with parents...

[phoenix2010]

1) collect on time , I do have other children to consider and a life of my own

2) dont freak out because your child has scuffed his new white trainers playing in the sand or has paint on his new Tshirt , I told you we like messy play and asked you to send them in old clothes , several times !

[rollypolly]

I have one mum who will drop and run really quick, only for the LO to tell me, yes I was sick in my bed last night! And mummy gave me pink medicine this morning! Just want her to be honest! Had a few chats about it but it seems to fall on deaf ears!!

[NI MINDER]

Definitely agree with all of the above.... .

A thank you once in a while would go a long long way.

I have a parent who constantly tops child up with calpol when unwell and never tells me - child is now old enough to say that she has been unwell and mummy gave her medicine.

Big one for me - is parents taking control at pick up time! - mindees seem to flip a switch when their parents appear and totally trash the place. No matter how firm I am they ignore me and Mummy stands and witters on about how hard her day has been....... Oh and mine has been a bed of roses with your DD/DS !!

[nikkiv]

All of the above especially paying on time one parent this week who said I'm a bit skint this month so I can transfer the money Friday or give you a cheque later!!!! Well actually your missing £80 is making me a bit skint thanks

It's not your house do not walk in with your dirty shoes to get your child especially when you've turned up early without any warning!

One for me though crack down on them and get tougher, I do have bills to pay, this is my business, I do love my job but actually don't have 5 children running around for fun it is my income and my business

[acorns]

Mine are:
1) You are welcome in my home but don't abuse my hospitality and treat my home as if you live here, walk in my kitchen uninvited and put things in my fridge!

2) If I ask if a non spill cup can be used, I am not 'making a big fuss' about drinks being spilt, it is so that your dd does not spill her milk for other mindees to slip over in it or on the damp floor after I have had to wash it.

I could go on and on.....

[Schnakes]

Don't respond to every positive statement I make about your child with "oh yes, x has done that for ages" in a tone of voice that really means "I know my child better than you do, you can't tell me anything new and even if you do I won't listen because you are "just" a cm"....just try, just occasionally, to celebrate your wonderful child with me!

And ASK, don't assume!!!

Ooooh - that is a good one! Its drives me MAD when parents do that!!!

[singingcactus]

I think the things that help my relationships with all my parents bcome really good is they remember to keep me informed about what is happening at home, the successes, and the things they are working towards, and the things that will never ever happen again!
Also that my parents give my children attention too, and they remember all my boys successes and news and are interested in my family, as I am in theirs.
We treat each other as extended families, we all help each other with favours and errands, and we genuinely care for each other.....even when the kids are being hoons.

[jackie 7]

Tell the trough about calpol!!! Don't put it in and say he/she is teething and might need it. Don't lie that they didn't have it because your other half will drop you in the s€$%. Do t come 5 minutes early. It might not seem that much early but this morning I overslept and of you had been your usual early I would not have been dressed!!! Ok they were having an extra day!

[NI MINDER]

I think the things that help my relationships with all my parents bcome really good is they remember to keep me informed about what is happening at home, the successes, and the things they are working towards, and the things that will never ever happen again!
Also that my parents give my children attention too, and they remember all my boys successes and news and are interested in my family, as I am in theirs.
We treat each other as extended families, we all help each other with favours and errands, and we genuinely care for each other.....even when the kids are being hoons.

with you on giving my children a wee bit of attention.
just after giving a family of mindees their easter egg treats - nice eggs in mugs etc - as last time they will be with me before Easter hols - Mum looked at my kids who were in same room and said oh I dont buy anyone easter eggs ..... really felt sorry for them .... Oh and Mum also 'forgot' that it was pay day ..............rant over!!

[wellybelly]

Loving this thread....

Mine would be

Please don't think I'm available to you 24 hours a day (this means calling or texting me at 11pm at night or 6am in the morning or anytime over the weekend when I'm with my family enjoying what little time I do have with them)

And just because I'm a childminder does not mean I can take your child to a doctors appointment, meet you at your house because its more convenient in the mornings or arrange after school play dates with your child's friends! Im not your P.A!

[MessybutHappy]

Ooooh - that is a good one! Its drives me MAD when parents do that!!!

Is it awful of me to say that I feel soooo much better that I'm not alone?!!!!!!

[The Juggler]

don't moan to me about how you hate your job because of how little you see your children, then get a day off on which you don't do much except get your hair done and bring and collect your child at the normal time

but if I am being more realistic about what I could actually say :

don't take me for granted
tell me if you are bothered or upset by something - don't make me guess please

[nikkiv]

I so love reading this thread at some point most of them have replied and opened the door to my first mindee this morning when mum walked in I was alot calmer that's ok I thought many parents do this!

[RuthJ]

Great thread! All of the above, plus:

Please don't huff and puff when I give you my holiday dates

Please stick to the contracted hours and let me know if you're going to be late dropping off or collecting

Please be totally honest with me - I won't judge, but may be able to offer some helpful advice.

[izzy23]

All of this, but the paying/fees things for sure. I hate it when people try to wriggle out of their contractual obligations usually when its to do with money!! How would they like it if their work did the same to them. I AM A PROFESSIONAL.
And I cannot stand being lied to, it happens a lot to me with one particular family, show me some respect FGS.

You can tell I'm having a cruddy morning,

[ChocolateChip]

All of the above!
And....

Please actually read my policies and try to understand that they are written for the welfare of YOUR child, not because I like spending hours of my time and a fortune on ink and paper producing them!

And don't have a hissy fit when I actually try to enforce them.

[Bananabrain]

All of the above!
And....

Please actually read my policies and try to understand that they are written for the welfare of YOUR child, not because I like spending hours of my time and a fortune on ink and paper producing them!

And don't have a hissy fit when I actually try to enforce them.

HA HA, hissy fit. That made me laugh.
At Christmas, I sent a letter to my parents saying 'please bring appropriate clothing, remember to pay me, if you are late at least have the courtesy to text blah, blah.
One parent did have a 'hissy fit' and said that 'she didn't like my tone.'Then went on to say that if she had received a similar letter from a nursery it would have been 'fine.'
Don't know what you think I am doing here love, but this is my job!