Parents not reading lead to repeated problems

apologies - my phone doesn’t seem to like capitalizing things on Reddit. I have done this job long enough to know parents don’t read, so I send out multiples reminders about upcoming dates, etc. in multiple ways so they can’t tell me “I never received it/we never spoke about it.” I am running a few camps this summer and one is a four-day, half-day camp for preschoolers. I made this very clear when offering it 6 months ago and gave families 3 months to read the contract and ask questions/decide. All families interested returned contracts and payment by the deadline. it was made VERY CLEAR this was a four day camp not only in the written ads but also in the contract more than once. I looked at my calendar and realized I could take them 5 days if the families needed, so I offered it with the stipulation that we would only do the 5th day if all families were interested (it’s a small group). There would be an added fee equivalent to one half day of camp. less than $100. one family was very interested. Today I asked another family who hadn’t gotten back to me about their feelings on an additional fifth day being added just to see if they wanted to do it or not and the mom got super pissed super fast. she said she didn’t understand why it wasn’t five days to begin with. I replied it was because I had plans that fifth day but no longer did. turns out she DIDNT READ and assumed it was already for 5 days.

personally I don’t care if they want to come or not but this woman is notorious for not reading or remembering anything. (I keep her kids full time during the school year) she repeatedly acts like everything is an unexpected nasty surprise. it’s the reason why I send out reminder texts 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days, and 24 hours in advance and why I send home printed out calendars in three month blocks. I would be fine with doing only four days. I’ll just have a four day workweek like I planned for. whatever. the issue is SHE thought she was bringing her kids here for 5 days which means she was gonna show up to a closed center without care or a plan. and she’s taking that out on me. I’m sure she feels like I’m trying to upsell but I’m not. I ended up having my calendar open and I offered the spot but I’m also not going to work for free; the original offer paid for four days not five. it’s not my fault she wasn’t paying attention for the THREE MONTHS she had to look over the contract. sorry just venting.