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I have been having a major medical issue for the past month. I was hospitalized for 6 days, and came close to losing my vision in both eyes completely. I am now on high doses of steroids and undergoing weekly chemotherapy.
Here is my issue. I only closed my daycare for two days - the rest of the time I was hospitalized I arranged for other coverage (mostly my former assistant, mother and sister-in-law). Initially, all of my families were pretty good about it. I am now starting to get the comments about lack of consistency, people in and out, etc.
I have also had parents start picking and choosing when they are coming, when they are paying, etc. I actually just had a mom tell me she was only paying for 2/3 days this week because she was making up for a day when I was in the hospital. I have contracts, and both paid sick and personal days built in to my contracts. I also have a paid personal day coming up in 2 weeks that has been scheduled for 5 months. One of the families asked me if I was going to cancel that day because of my absences. My daycare has been open - I am just not always the one running it.
I guess I am struggling with how much I should be enforcing my rules and regulations. Most of the families have been great, but at the same time, I am taking a hit financially with all of this in and out stuff. Then again, they are allowing me to come and go to my appointments and treatments without too much grief. All of my families are returning next year, so I am trying to keep the peace and keep everyone happy (not something I usually do - it is usually rules are rules around here).
Would you be pushing for payment, or just taking what you could get? I am closed for the year in 5 more weeks, but the illness will not be under control anytime soon and the treatments will continue through the summer. I guess I am just looking for ideas on how to get through this without ruffling feathers, losing too much money, and losing my excellent business reputation. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Here is my issue. I only closed my daycare for two days - the rest of the time I was hospitalized I arranged for other coverage (mostly my former assistant, mother and sister-in-law). Initially, all of my families were pretty good about it. I am now starting to get the comments about lack of consistency, people in and out, etc.
I have also had parents start picking and choosing when they are coming, when they are paying, etc. I actually just had a mom tell me she was only paying for 2/3 days this week because she was making up for a day when I was in the hospital. I have contracts, and both paid sick and personal days built in to my contracts. I also have a paid personal day coming up in 2 weeks that has been scheduled for 5 months. One of the families asked me if I was going to cancel that day because of my absences. My daycare has been open - I am just not always the one running it.
I guess I am struggling with how much I should be enforcing my rules and regulations. Most of the families have been great, but at the same time, I am taking a hit financially with all of this in and out stuff. Then again, they are allowing me to come and go to my appointments and treatments without too much grief. All of my families are returning next year, so I am trying to keep the peace and keep everyone happy (not something I usually do - it is usually rules are rules around here).
Would you be pushing for payment, or just taking what you could get? I am closed for the year in 5 more weeks, but the illness will not be under control anytime soon and the treatments will continue through the summer. I guess I am just looking for ideas on how to get through this without ruffling feathers, losing too much money, and losing my excellent business reputation. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
They should be GRATEFUL that you stayed open and didn't leave them in a bind. I can't even understand why they would think they don't have to pay. Obviously you need to pay the person that was covering for you! 
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