Calling In Sick?????

[snowball]

It always amazes me at the amount of people on here who SAY they are always supportive, but you ask a simple question and get chewed out for it.

I would say just take the day off if you need it. It is YOUR business. YOU can do what you want. That is why you're in business for yourself. I wouldn't say you're sick. Just tell them something came up and that you need the day off. Give them a refund for the day and leave it at that. Chances are, they have personal time with their work or they have a backup. If not, they should have planned better for the occasional situation like this.

I agree with this!

I actually WOULD call in sick.

You can't tell me that parents don't ake "me" days, so why would a provider be any different?

Not only that but the reason many of us do this job, is to stay home with our own kids. This provider wants to do something special with "her" child. I say go for it. In 10 years you won't remember each of your daycare kids but you WILL remember doing something special with YOUR child.

[Blackcat31]

I agree with this!

I actually WOULD call in sick.

You can't tell me that parents don't ake "me" days, so why would a provider be any different?
Not only that but the reason many of us do this job, is to stay home with our own kids. This provider wants to do something special with "her" child. I say go for it. In 10 years you won't remember each of your daycare kids but you WILL remember doing something special with YOUR child.

Like I tell my daycare kids, "Just because some one else does something doesn't mean it is right."

OP, just be honest. Take the day off. Tell the parents at pick up tonight and let the cards fall where they may. Spend the day with your child if that is what you want to do.

[godiva83]

I agree that from time to time it is important to take 'me' or 'family' days but I would try my best to do them with warning. I think if you do this with out warning you will seem unreliable and unprofessional. I hope the letter works out and your DCF's are understanding. Enjoy your day to the fullest

[MsMe]

I agree with this!

I actually WOULD call in sick.

You can't tell me that parents don't ake "me" days, so why would a provider be any different?
Not only that but the reason many of us do this job, is to stay home with our own kids. This provider wants to do something special with "her" child. I say go for it. In 10 years you won't remember each of your daycare kids but you WILL remember doing something special with YOUR child.

No one is saying that she doesn't deserve 'me' days or that she shouldnt take them, just that she should give notice for them.

Not every parent that takes a day off is playing hookey, they plan and take PTO. I highly doubt that anyone of their co-workers would encourage them to lie when they have the option to take time off. Even if they did their day off has less of an impact than a daycare providers sudden/no notice day off. being someones full time daycare provider (contract or no contract) is a BIG responsiblity, if you don't want it maybe you could try doing only part-time care?

[hoopinglady]

I think if you feel attacked, maybe others feel a bit personally offended.

Even though, yes it is good to have a back up plan as a parent, many don't. It's good business to be very reliable as has been said.

I know I have worked MANY a day when I could have been doing something more fun.....worked through burn out, PMS, colds, headaches, heartaches, on and on.

Also, something I've learned is that support is not always about agreeing with you. Sometimes you need to hear that you are being irresponsible...it helps you grow as a person if you're able to swallow your pride and hear what people (with no ill intentions and more experience) have to say.

I personally am jealous. I need a day off, .

Enjoy yourself either way.

[MommyofThree]

I've never called in sick when I wasn't, I have however closed on short notice. I have just told parents I have had something come up and I will be unable to provide care for you on Friday. They don't need to know why. I do have people that say well what am I going to do, or oh no what should I do, and I gently remind them that it is a part of home daycare. We do not have a back up, so if something comes up and we have to close, they need to have a back up. If they don't take the responsibility to find one, that is not my problem.

I would just tell them at pick up tonight that you won't be available friday.

thank you. I will do this. I will inform them tonight

[MommyofThree]

I have not read a single post on this thread that 'chewed you out' for your question.

Even 'unregistered' told you not to lie.

Noone here told you NOT to do it, just that maybe you could try to give a littel notice.

um re read unregister post. She stated that!!!!!!

[Michael]

I think you maybe looking for validation that you are not going to get.....is their anyway to set up an annomous poll? You may have better luck that way.

A poll has been included on the first page. https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36191

[MommyofThree]

I agree with this!

I actually WOULD call in sick.

You can't tell me that parents don't ake "me" days, so why would a provider be any different?

Not only that but the reason many of us do this job, is to stay home with our own kids. This provider wants to do something special with "her" child. I say go for it. In 10 years you won't remember each of your daycare kids but you WILL remember doing something special with YOUR child.

aww Thanks. your right my children comes before any other person

[MommyofThree]

A poll has been included on the first page. https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36191

Could you?That will be great Michael

[Cat Herder]

I can't vote in the poll because it does not address the part about not giving notice, lying about it or the fact that she if off Monday, too.

It is not that simple of a topic. YKWIM?

[Unregistered]

I get it

I understand not wanting to miss out on your child's school activities, OP, I really do. Unfortunately, that is something that happens unless back up plans are made or parents are given enough notice prior to that day.

I only close for illness if I have to. I have separate areas for daycare and personal use so as long as I can avoid contact with the dcks and my assistant is available, then I can isolate myself and get rest and the parents don't have to figure out other arrangements. If it's my own child that's sick, then that changes things. She doesn't typically need one on one attention when she's sick, but if she did, then I would close. She prefers to not be bothered if she's sick so it usually works out fine. She's a teenager so it's easier to manage.

OP, if you don't want to be open tomorrow, then don't be, but you have to understand that you'll most likely have angry daycare parents. It'll be worse in the long run if you use illness as an excuse so I would strongly recommend telling the parents the truth or if you don't want to tell them the truth, then don't give them a reason. If you get busted in a lie, you run the risk of having your families not trust you when you really are legitimately sick. They may start shopping around if they don't know if they can depend on you.

I know that it might seem like posters are picking on you, but I don't think that anyone is intent on giving you grief. The fact that so many people responded with advice shows that their intentions are good. If you are looking for anyone to tell you that it's OK to handle it by lying to the parents, then I think that you might be out of luck. We all understand what you're feeling right now because I'll bet that we've all felt like you are feeling before. This isn't an easy job to have when your own children have activities that you have to miss. You're preaching to the choir. We understand it all too well.

If you can, hire an assistant to cover for you when your kids have activities going on that you don't want to miss. If you can't, then try to give the parents enough advance notice so that they can make other arrangements for that day. Also keep in mind that if the situation were reversed, how would you react? Just please, please, please don't lie to the parents because if they catch you in a lie, they may not believe you in the future. Trust is too important in the parent/provider relationship.

[MommyofThree]

I can't vote in the poll because it does not address the part about not giving notice, lying about it or the fact that she if off Monday, too.

It is not that simple of a topic. YKWIM?

wow

[MommyofThree]

FYI who cares about monday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the parents have off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Michael]

The poll only gives so much room for a topic title. I think I generalized as simply as possible.