Too Much Time Off?

[meganlavonnesmommy]

Wondering if this is taking too much time off.

Background, last time I took any vacation was last April, I took 3 days off when family came to visit. I have worked every day since.

My contract states I am allowed 4 weeks of unpaid vacation per year. I have been saving my vacation because I was supposed to have surgery in November of 2011. It was delayed, and I am now having the surgery in April. So I will be taking 2 weeks off late April. But my family is coming to visit over Memorial Day, and I want to take 4 days off then too.

Is that too much to ask? All my vacation is unpaid, and I have back-up providers that can provide care for the parents during that time. They have several providers to choose from for care.

My family lives far away, and I havent seen them since June 2011, and when they came to visit that time, I didnt take time off. It was horrible having them here, and having to work. I only get to see my parents about once a year because they live so far away.

Why I feeling guilty?

[GrannyJ]

You should never feel guilty for taking vacation. Especially in your case, your contract says 4 weeks, it's unpaid, your giving plenty of notice besides you provide back up providers for them to chose from! You have it all cover, go, enjoy your family visit guilt free!!!

[meganlavonnesmommy]

Thanks. happyface

I guess I just feel guilty because it will be 2 weeks off in April, then another 4 days just 2 1/2 weeks later.

[bice99]

Take time when you need it. I know it's hard, but you cannot feel guilty, especially if it's written in your contract/handbook. I'm growing a backbone in this area all of the time

[JenNJ]

Take the time when it is needed. I rarely take off, however this year things are different. My husband had a medical scare and I took off a day to be with him in the hospital. My child had a surgery so I took that day as well. We had a family vacation scheduled for a week's time so I took that time as well.

Life happens, people must adjust. If they wanted to pick a place where they knew 100% it would be open, they would have picked a center. By choosing a home provider, they chose to take a chance that sometimes you won't be open.

[wdmmom]

I give my families about 3 months notice when I take any vacation time. According to my handbook, I only have to give them 2 weeks.

I try to be as accommodating as possible. I know not all families have vacation time to use or have family or a back up provider. Giving ample notice gives them plenty of time to make the necessary accommodations, request time off, etc.

Paid or not, if you intend to take time off in April and May, I'd tell parents now.

[cheerfuldom]

I think 4 weeks is too much....that said, what you are currently planning is not a crazy amount. I would go to two weeks PAID vacation rather than 4 weeks unpaid. As you said, you have never taken 4 weeks anyway. You are putting in a contract that you allow 4 weeks and then not even taking that.....thats the part I dont understand....

[littlemissmuffet]

Wondering if this is taking too much time off.

Background, last time I took any vacation was last April, I took 3 days off when family came to visit. I have worked every day since.

My contract states I am allowed 4 weeks of unpaid vacation per year. I have been saving my vacation because I was supposed to have surgery in November of 2011. It was delayed, and I am now having the surgery in April. So I will be taking 2 weeks off late April. But my family is coming to visit over Memorial Day, and I want to take 4 days off then too.

Is that too much to ask? All my vacation is unpaid, and I have back-up providers that can provide care for the parents during that time. They have several providers to choose from for care.

My family lives far away, and I havent seen them since June 2011, and when they came to visit that time, I didnt take time off. It was horrible having them here, and having to work. I only get to see my parents about once a year because they live so far away.

Why I feeling guilty?

STOP FEELING GUILTY. Take the time you need. A childcare provider is no good to anyone unless they are first taking care of themselves... physically, mentally and emotionally! lovethis

[littlemissmuffet]

I think 4 weeks is too much....that said, what you are currently planning is not a crazy amount. I would go to two weeks PAID vacation rather than 4 weeks unpaid. As you said, you have never taken 4 weeks anyway. You are putting in a contract that you allow 4 weeks and then not even taking that.....thats the part I dont understand....

I take 2 weeks paid and have a 3rd week unpaid - just in case of emergencies and such. I know quite a few providers who write in a specific amount of unpaid time in their contracts but don't take it because they can't afford it.

[cheerfuldom]

yes I understand what you are saying for emergency time. I do two weeks paid and any time over that is unpaid. I can't guarantee anything with emergencies, although it is rare. But in that case, I just take what I need and have never lost a family in five years over emergency time off.