Warning, long and ranty


So my day care provider called me yesterday at 2 in the afternoon and informed me that she was taking a personal day the next day.

"OK, I said, uh I don't have any backup care for Hannah tomorrow-Darren is working ona roof in another town, my back up sitter is on vacation., and all of my frineds work".

She said "Well, I'm doing it so you will have to deal with it". Pardon me? She said "I gave you as much notice as I could".

I said "well, that's not really very much notice, you know?"

She said "I happen to know you have taken more days off since I started taking care of Hannah than I have in the past 15 years"

PARDON ME?

"And I am going to have to close my business after this month"

EX-CUUUSE ME??

So I said OK. Then she said "I need her to be picked up by 4:30 (well, duh, that's pick up time) Becuase I need to leave town at 4:45.

I thought about it for a little while, then I decided that since Hannah is going to be home with me in two weeks, I would just find alternative care for her for the next two weeks. I mean if she's all p.o.ed at me, I don't want her watching my child, and if she is this stressed out, then she shouldn't be watching children, period, right? So I called her back and I said "I will pick her up at 4 and I would like all of her things packed to g. She won't be returning".

So she said "OH, you are punishing me for needing a day off? I can't have you pick her up at 4 it will have to be earlier, cause the other parents are coming at 4".

"Well, I have to pick up my kid from school at 3:40, so I really can't get there much earlier"

"Well you will need to if you want to have her things"

"Why don't you pack them up and leave them on the front porch and I will come get them?"

"Well, I don't know what all is hers"

"FINE! I WILL COME TRIGHT NOW!"

So I left work, went and picked her up and gave her this letter:



I am regretful to inform you that today, 9/12/2007 will be Hannah’s last day of care. Although I had originally planned to finish out the month of September, and had given you lengthy notice in that regard, it has come to my attention that we no longer have a relationship which fosters proper care of my child.

Since I informed you that Hannah was no longer able to attend daycare due to my impending lay-off, I have sensed a great deal of animosity mounting toward me, and that fact was emphasized quite strongly after our conversation this afternoon. Due to the level of animosity, I feel it would be inappropriate for Hannah to continue under your care.

I am truly sorry that you are closing your business; however, I do not feel that I am responsible for this, and I have continued to get the inference from you that I am somehow putting you in this position. Furthermore, I feel that the number of “days I have had off” from work is completely and totally irrelevant to our discussion, and I am offended by having that brought into the discussion.

I understand that all people need time off and sometimes even emergently so. However, your inference that you have not taken any personal time to yourself is wholly false, and there have been two days in particular that I was asked to keep my child home, even though you cared for the rest of the children, ie: the day after New Years and several weeks ago when you were feeling ill. Additionally, I would assume that when requesting for time off, even emergently, one would have some hint of kindness behind their words and perhaps end the conversation with a heartfelt apology.

I truly do thank you for the care you have provided to Hannah and I am sorry that this has occurred, but I am certain you can see this from my point of view. I do honestly wish you the very best in the future, whatever path you take.



Then she told me "I hope you grow up someday". what?????