A very important lesson I’ve learned is to always make sure both children and parents know that I am reliable. Being timely getting to work is important. If a person is 5 or so minutes late, it is usually forgiven if it isn’t a constant error. The same situation is very different when your self employed, your place of business is home, and you run a daycare 🙂
One of my long term families needed childcare at an earlier time than most, but their children were very well behaved. It wasn’t every day that I needed to be up a bit earlier, and they watched cartoons while I got my children up and ready. The earlier time wasn’t a hardship, or so I thought……
On the days this family would attend, I would set my alarm a bit before they would arrive, to ensure I was awake, dressed, and ready to greet them. My husband would already be up, heading out the door. Knowing I was up he would leave the door unlocked. Due to the early time this family would arrive, I asked them to just walk in and not knock on the door, so as to not wake others in the house.
This worked for us up and until after a long weekend (not a holiday by any means, just a tough weekend with sick children). I’d forgot to set my alarm. Snoozing soundly, cozy in my bed, slumbering like a baby. “Hey sleepy head”, I heard. I rolled over thinking it was my husband. “HEEEYYYY”, was repeated a little louder. Taking a big stretch, rubbing my eyes, focusing on the person sitting on my bed. All of a sudden I jolted up when I realized it was the mother of the early family. I had slept in!
Apologizing profusely, the mother of the children started laughing, “I almost didn’t have the heart to wake you up.” she said with a smile. She was a very forgiving person. Incredibly embarrassed, I had never gotten dressed and ready that fast in my life! 15 minutes from start to finish!
Unfortunately I can’t say that was the only time that happened, but it was my learning curve, and learning my own limitations. In 26 years, I have only had it happen a handful of times 🙂