How Do You Do It!

[mamap]

Hi All,

I'm pretty new here and I've got a new question!

How do you balance appointments and needing personal time? I don't have consistent backup, how do you do it??

[Blackcat31]

When I first opened, I took one Friday off every 6 weeks and scheduled ALL my appointments at that time....worried about how it would affect all my DC families.

As I was open longer, I began scheduling my appointments when needed and either got a sub or closed early.....trying hard to accommodate the majority of my families and not really worring about the rest.

Now I have enough built in time off that I do my personal business on my personal days.....NOT at all concerned about trying to accommodate anyone as I have learned it is impossible to please everyone all the time.

[mamap]

Thanks. I just found out I'm pregnant and know this pregnancy will be high risk so I know there will be lots of appointments. I'm trying to figure out how to do that. I tried booking my first prenatal visit on a Friday as late as possible and couldn't make it happen. I haven't announced my pregnancy yet and am hoping that maybe I can arrange something similar to what you're doing. Thanks again for your advice!

[daycare]

If you know that you are going to have a high risk pregnancy, I would really consider looking to hire a helper. I think that this would really be beneficial to you and give the parents confidence that they will still have good solid daycare.

I have recently hired an assistant and it has made my daycare a much happier place for me.......

[littlemissmuffet]

Thanks. I just found out I'm pregnant and know this pregnancy will be high risk so I know there will be lots of appointments. I'm trying to figure out how to do that. I tried booking my first prenatal visit on a Friday as late as possible and couldn't make it happen. I haven't announced my pregnancy yet and am hoping that maybe I can arrange something similar to what you're doing. Thanks again for your advice!

I am half way into a high risk pregnancy - I have one ultrasound and one prenatal every four weeks (I do my bloodwork on the weekends). My doc tries very hard to book my ultrasounds and prenatals on the same day or book as late in the day as possible, so I only need to close early (IF hubs can't be home to run the DC; though he usually can be). I realize it isn't possible to always get the last appointment of the day...
I told my parents the day after we found out we were pregnant. They knew we'd been trying a few years and I wanted to make sure they were understanding if I needed to close/close early for an appointment - every single one of my parents has been awesome... afterall they have all been in the same situation!

Are you closing your DC for a long period of time after baby? Is this why you haven't told your families yet? If you aren't planning on closing long after baby is born, I would tell your families so that they will be more understanding of your need for time off.

Do you have a friend or family member (or spouse) that can cover you during appointments? Is hiring an temporary sub an option?

Do you have paid vacation or sick time? I have 10 days paid vacation and 5 sick/personal days each year. I would use up the sick time first and then use vacation time next (whatever was left of either; even though our vacation time is shceduled each year in Jaunary, I would change it to ensure a steady income during this time).

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

If you have a high risk pregnancy you need and assistant or a substitute. It will be very difficult and stressful otherwise, and no one (including your clients) wants that for you!

[mamap]

Sorry for posting and running last night, ladies. Husband and I sat down and had a hormone driven conversation about my need for a substitute and helper. I won (duh, with hormones on my side!). I only have a regular license now (6+2 kids here) but am working toward my Large home license (up to 12), so finding help now will help me once I expand! It's a business decision as much as a personal one, and once I explained to Hubby that and that families won't scatter once they get the big news he understood.

I'm actually NOT planning on taking a maternity leave but I would like to have an assistant/substitute/helper around to, well, help! I just haven't told my families yet because I haven't told my own family yet-though I will likely have to warn them before I planned on telling family (Christmas) so they have time to prepare for me to take my first bit of time off for bedrest in January. That's pretty much the only time I'd like to close throughout my pregnancy.

I found a few potentials today that meet my personal criteria, fingers crossed!!

[SunshineMama]

I'm pregnant in my third trimester. I scheduled all appointments ahead of time for the last appointment on fridays. I figured parents wouldn't mind getting off work early on a friday and having a little longer weekend.

I do have a back up and have used her a few times. When she is not available, the parents have to pick up early. I have had parents who are not able to pick up early, and they just sent their kids to a back up provider for the day.

I was really worried about what the parents would think at first, but I got over it. And no one seemed to be bothered by it anyway.

[littlemissmuffet]

Sorry for posting and running last night, ladies. Husband and I sat down and had a hormone driven conversation about my need for a substitute and helper. I won (duh, with hormones on my side!). I only have a regular license now (6+2 kids here) but am working toward my Large home license (up to 12), so finding help now will help me once I expand! It's a business decision as much as a personal one, and once I explained to Hubby that and that families won't scatter once they get the big news he understood.

I'm actually NOT planning on taking a maternity leave but I would like to have an assistant/substitute/helper around to, well, help! I just haven't told my families yet because I haven't told my own family yet-though I will likely have to warn them before I planned on telling family (Christmas) so they have time to prepare for me to take my first bit of time off for bedrest in January. That's pretty much the only time I'd like to close throughout my pregnancy.

I found a few potentials today that meet my personal criteria, fingers crossed!!

happyface This is great! I am so glad you and hubby were able to work out a solution that benefits you personally and financially (eventual expansion)! I am only taking a 2 week maternity leave because my husband will be home for at least 6 months... if I didn't have him or another helper, I'd definitely not be going back so soon! I hope that having the peace of mind of having an assistant will make for a less stressful pregnancy

Congratulations!!

[daycare]

Sorry for posting and running last night, ladies. Husband and I sat down and had a hormone driven conversation about my need for a substitute and helper. I won (duh, with hormones on my side!). I only have a regular license now (6+2 kids here) but am working toward my Large home license (up to 12), so finding help now will help me once I expand! It's a business decision as much as a personal one, and once I explained to Hubby that and that families won't scatter once they get the big news he understood.

I'm actually NOT planning on taking a maternity leave but I would like to have an assistant/substitute/helper around to, well, help! I just haven't told my families yet because I haven't told my own family yet-though I will likely have to warn them before I planned on telling family (Christmas) so they have time to prepare for me to take my first bit of time off for bedrest in January. That's pretty much the only time I'd like to close throughout my pregnancy.

I found a few potentials today that meet my personal criteria, fingers crossed!!

just curious where you advertised to find people responding so quickly??

[mamap]

just curious where you advertised to find people responding so quickly??

I didn't advertise, actually. I cruised the daycare section of CL and found a couple of gals looking for part time work while they were earning their early childhood degrees. Of course after several questions I'm not convinced I'd even like to interview them, but we'll see!

[daycare]

I didn't advertise, actually. I cruised the daycare section of CL and found a couple of gals looking for part time work while they were earning their early childhood degrees. Of course after several questions I'm not convinced I'd even like to interview them, but we'll see!

well I do have to say this...try not to judge them to harshly. Of course, you know what you are looking for, but interview them in person and get a real good feel for them.

When I was talking to the guy that I ended up hiring over the phone, I was taken back a little by him, he came off very dramatic....In person he is not like that at all.......