DCP Comments About My Vacation :(

**saved4always** · 04-30-2012, 03:39 PM

I have always given vacation dates to my parents as soon as I have them. We have gone to visit my husband's parents out of town for Thanksgiving several times and I told the parents in August or September. I have never had anyone complain and they either found a back up for that week or they sent thier children to my friend down the street who is my emergency backup. If you are giving them enough notice (my contract says I will give at least 2 weeks but I usually give more), they have no reason to be upset. Most parents in my experience can figure some kind of alternate child care.

**daycare** · 04-30-2012, 03:45 PM

I dont feel bad....It's not my problem that they don't have any more time off of work. I don't let their issues guilt me.....You shouldn't either...

**Angelwings36** · 04-30-2012, 03:45 PM

As per contract I have to give parents a written notification of any holidays that I am taking within one month's prior. I usually give anywhere from 3-6 months. If anyone complained about not being able to take the time off I would response with, "its always a good idea to have a back up provider in the case that I can't provide care to the children." If anyone complained about not having back up I would respond with, "sorry to hear that. You should check out kijiji ithere is always lots of ads for drop in care." I don't let things like that bother me anymore as it's just NOT MY PROBLEM!

**SunshineMama** · 04-30-2012, 03:45 PM

Originally posted by daycare

I dont feel bad....It's not my problem that they don't have any more time off of work. I don't let their issues guilt me.....You shouldn't either...

**Fruitloops1** · 04-30-2012, 03:47 PM

Don't feel bad, it isn't your fault they didn't budget their days off. You NEED the vacay time to recoup and relax, no body wants a cooky stressed out daycare provider. As long as you gave them enough time to plan ahead they will manage just fine.
Where are you going for vacation?

**Meeko** · 04-30-2012, 03:56 PM

I haven't taken a vacation in nearly 4 years and will be taking three days in May. It's been on the calendar since last November.

I have a few moms that are whining, but I really don't care. I deserve some time off and they have had PLENTY of time to find someone for a few days. I'm not even charging them and they are still giving me a hard time!

I actually let it show to one this morning when she started in with the "what am I gonna do??" stuff. I came right out and asked her if she begrudged me a few days off after 4 years. She mumbled "no" and seemed a bit embarrassed. So she should be.

I told her it made me feel bad that parents are complaining instead of say "have a good time". It's not like I take time off every few weeks or I haven't given them enough notice.

**busymomof2** · 04-30-2012, 04:08 PM

I have it all in my policy & procedures (that they have to sign that they read and agree to it). I have my holidays, the fact that I take 2 weeks vacation throughout the year and that they must have alternate care. None of my parents have complained and if they did I would just remind them of what they signed. It upsets me that some parents think we don't need vacation or a day off. As it is, I can never get to go to the doctor or dentist. I have to schedule these appointments during my vacation.

**AnneCordelia** · 04-30-2012, 04:13 PM

It's not even May yet and they have no time off left? That does sound like they have problems.

However, they are not *your* problems. You have outlined your vacation policies and they are aware of them. DO NOT FEEL BAD!! Having to accomodate the vacation of a home daycare provider is a part of the game...that is why we don't charge as much as centers, who don't take vacations. Don't feel guilty and shame on that daycare parent for trying to make you feel guilty!

**littlemissmuffet** · 04-30-2012, 05:01 PM

Originally posted by SunshineMama

Told my dcp's about my upcoming vacation.

One mom was really sweet when I told her about the great deal I got. The other parents were kinda like, "well, I don't have any more time off," etc etc, so I felt bad (even though I shouldn't- they all signed paperwork affirming my vacay policies).

What are your experiences?

"Sorry Sally. As per the contract you signed, I am entitled to 2 weeks paid vacation. I am taking one of those weeks in May. You have plenty of time to find an alternate care provider while I am away. Have a great night, see you tomorrow!"

**Meyou** · 05-01-2012, 03:28 AM

Don't let them make you feel guilty.

There are always people that will complain about anything just to complain. They should EXPECT you to take a yearly vacation even if they don't have the dates on Jan. 1. I haven't given out my summer vacation dates yet but I know it won't be a problem. They KNOW I take a week each July even if they don't know exactly when.

**Solandia** · 05-01-2012, 04:28 AM

I have ALWAYS taken a vacation, every summer since year 1...even if we haven't actually gone anywhere most of those times. I always have a handout with all my closed days/holidays for the year by January (I will put under JULY ???, 2012 Vacation TBA).

I will work around some issues (when I had teachers kids, I didn't schedule vacation on the week before school starts, for example), and I had one family whose biz's busy time was early June.

I haven't really had an issue with parents being mad about it...most families tried to arrange their vacation the same week as mine so that they didn't have to arrange backup care. As usual, communication & plenty of notice addressing issues from the start takes care of most potential problems. There was always the expectation of a vacation in july, so there was no complaining about it when it actually happened.

**Kaddidle Care** · 05-01-2012, 04:35 AM

Originally posted by daycare

I dont feel bad....It's not my problem that they don't have any more time off of work. I don't let their issues guilt me.....You shouldn't either...

Originally posted by Meeko

I haven't taken a vacation in nearly 4 years and will be taking three days in May.

I actually let it show to one this morning when she started in with the "what am I gonna do??" stuff. I came right out and asked her if she begrudged me a few days off after 4 years. She mumbled "no" and seemed a bit embarrassed. So she should be.

Originally posted by AnneCordelia

It's not even May yet and they have no time off left? That does sound like they have problems.

Don't feel guilty and shame on that daycare parent for trying to make you feel guilty!

Yep, Yep, Yep! What they all said. Especially what Anne said - they've used up all of their time off in the 1st quarter of the year? THEY are in trouble then.

I'm betting they have vacation all lined up in the future. It's just that YOUR vacation plans aren't part of their plan. KWIM?

**Countrygal** · 05-01-2012, 05:32 AM

I schedule my vacation at least six months prior. The beginning of the year is just too hard for me. If I need to go somewhere else during the year it's unpaid. I also encourage my parents to have subs. Hopefully within a year I"ll have my own sub!

**Unregistered** · 05-01-2012, 05:45 AM

Originally posted by Kaddidle Care

Yep, Yep, Yep! What they all said. Especially what Anne said - they've used up all of their time off in the 1st quarter of the year? THEY are in trouble then.

I'm betting they have vacation all lined up in the future. It's just that YOUR vacation plans aren't part of their plan. KWIM?

Actually, in some jobs your vacation days begin the month you started work, not on the first of the year. So if the woman began her job in June, she may not get any more days until then. I personally started my job in May so that's when I get new vacation days for the year.