What Scheduled Days Are You Taking Off For 2013?

[Willow]

The thing is you are running your own business. They are NOT your boss.
I honestly don't understand how everyone believes this is fair. I cannot imagine any other business (self employment) that does this.
Can you imagine a restaurant that says, "We are closed on Christmas, but if you WOULD have eaten here that day, you need to pay us the regular price of our meals. Of course, you need to eat elsewhere."
Or a self employed car repair. "You need to pay us the regular price for your oil change, but we are closed today, so you will also need to get someone else to change your oil and pay them, or do it yourself."
I can only think that people are so desperate for child care, they agree to things that may not really be acceptable to them. More power to you all I suppose that you can pull this off, but I just can't do it with a clear conscience.

I am with you. Believe me.

But it's really not a point worth arguing. People feel how they feel about it and there really isn't going to be any swaying of feelings or understanding to be gained.

You either have it in you to charge like that, or you don't. For some it's an ethical decision, for others a logical one (I LOVE Tom Copelands take on this topic). In the end as long as you yourself are ok with your decision that's all that matters.

If parents don't like it though I do wish they would seek care elsewhere as not every provider is the same by a long shot. It always makes me sad to hear really disgruntled parents talk about feeling bent over......I don't blame them for anything other than staying if that's how they truly feel.

[Blackcat31]

The thing is you are running your own business. They are NOT your boss.
I honestly don't understand how everyone believes this is fair. I cannot imagine any other business (self employment) that does this.
Can you imagine a restaurant that says, "We are closed on Christmas, but if you WOULD have eaten here that day, you need to pay us the regular price of our meals. Of course, you need to eat elsewhere."
Or a self employed car repair. "You need to pay us the regular price for your oil change, but we are closed today, so you will also need to get someone else to change your oil and pay them, or do it yourself."
I can only think that people are so desperate for child care, they agree to things that may not really be acceptable to them. More power to you all I suppose that you can pull this off, but I just can't do it with a clear conscience.

I understand where you are coming from but there has to be some compromise here.

We aren't a restaurant or a garage for car repairs. We care for other people's children so they can make a living and pay their bills. It is can be a super stressful job...one that should have mental health days built into it in order to ensure that your caregiver remains mentally, physically and emotionally healthy.

Restaurant servers work specific shifts with breaks. Car repair places have standard hours, rarely are they open 10, 11 or 12 hours or more a day. They have times and days to recoup and recovery from a stressful shift. I have also never call my car mechanic or my waitress after hours to ask a question about a menu item or a service repair bill. I have never eaten my food and then only paid for half or tried to negotiate fees or costs I already agreed to pay. I have never brought my car in to have the oil changed while the tires are flat and then expected the mechanic to simply deal with it. kwim?

Child care is a business where EVERYTHING is dependent on the well being (physically, emotionally and mentally) of the caregiver.

I do take PAID vacation time and a couple paid holidays but I also give parents a certain number of free days to use at their discretion to kind of balance it out.

But I can't just not charge whenever someone isn't scheduled or decides at the last minute the grandma Peggy will watch their child for free. I can't take another customer on such short notice like a car repair shop or restaurant can.

Parents have to pay for some of that "availability" whether they use it or not.

I can't care for children if I am constantly stressed and worried about my budget and income. It just isn't feasible unless you have a second income or spouse who brings home a secure paycheck. Not everyone has that.

Parents might very well sign on for things they really don't agree with an end up paying for vacations and holidays even if they don't think it is fair but in my area, that isn't for lack of daycares available as there is one on every block, but I do think that still falls on the parent.

If they can't afford it or really don't agree with it then figure it out. Stop blaming child cares who do charge for sick days. If you have a child and it is that important to you to not pay those closed days, then find a care provider who doesn't charge, stay home and watch your own child, find a relative or friend to do it cheaper. There really is no excuse.

I am NOT forcing anyone to sign on and pay my holidays or vacation days. I offer X. Buy it or move along. I don't mind either way but I will continue to charge for some of the holidays I am closed and my vacations. When I come back, I am happier, healthier and a lot more peppier about my job. Parents all understand that I too need mental health days without the stress of worrying if my light bill will get paid this month.

I think that the number one thing for everyone, BOTH providers and parents to remember is it is all about communication and taking responsibility for our own choices.

I can't complain if I didn't charge a parent but wanted to and a parent can't complain if they agreed to it but doesn't want to. kwim?

For those providers who don't charge for any holidays and/or closed days, and it works for them. Great! I am NOT dissing them for it. I respect them for doing whatever works for them. I guess I expect the same.

[Angelsj]

Which days are you closed? I'm sorry but you are comparing apples to oranges. The families are paying for a membership so to speak, like at a gym or Costco. You still pay even if you don't shop that day or work out. If they are closed you still have to pay. Same for banks, Bank of America now charges to use the teller. Your fee is the same very month, even if they are closed for holidays.....l am the boss of my business, just like everyone else. We get to choose ......

True, you get to choose, and if you can get people to pay it, go for it. But this is not a gym membership. If the gym is closed you don't have to pay another gym. If a parent needs to work and you are closed, they must pay another caretaker.

[Angelsj]

I am with you. Believe me.

But it's really not a point worth arguing. People feel how they feel about it and there really isn't going to be any swaying of feelings or understanding to be gained.

You either have it in you to charge like that, or you don't. For some it's an ethical decision, for others a logical one (I LOVE Tom Copelands take on this topic). In the end as long as you yourself are ok with your decision that's all that matters.

If parents don't like it though I do wish they would seek care elsewhere as not every provider is the same by a long shot. It always makes me sad to hear really disgruntled parents talk about feeling bent over......I don't blame them for anything other than staying if that's how they truly feel.

Exactly. I get so many parents, and they go on and on about how they felt screwed over, like they had no choice, and some of the questions they ask...goodness.

I wasn't really trying to sway anyone, just pointing out that not everyone does this. It is, of course, everyone's choice to run their business as they choose. I just can't do that.

[Angelsj]

I understand where you are coming from but there has to be some compromise here.

We aren't a restaurant or a garage for car repairs. We care for other people's children so they can make a living and pay their bills. It is can be a super stressful job...one that should have mental health days built into it in order to ensure that your caregiver remains mentally, physically and emotionally healthy.

Restaurant servers work specific shifts with breaks. Car repair places have standard hours, rarely are they open 10, 11 or 12 hours or more a day. They have times and days to recoup and recovery from a stressful shift. I have also never call my car mechanic or my waitress after hours to ask a question about a menu item or a service repair bill. I have never eaten my food and then only paid for half or tried to negotiate fees or costs I already agreed to pay. I have never brought my car in to have the oil changed while the tires are flat and then expected the mechanic to simply deal with it. kwim?

Child care is a business where EVERYTHING is dependent on the well being (physically, emotionally and mentally) of the caregiver.

I do take PAID vacation time and a couple paid holidays but I also give parents a certain number of free days to use at their discretion to kind of balance it out.

But I can't just not charge whenever someone isn't scheduled or decides at the last minute the grandma Peggy will watch their child for free. I can't take another customer on such short notice like a car repair shop or restaurant can.

Parents have to pay for some of that "availability" whether they use it or not.

I can't care for children if I am constantly stressed and worried about my budget and income. It just isn't feasible unless you have a second income or spouse who brings home a secure paycheck. Not everyone has that.

Parents might very well sign on for things they really don't agree with an end up paying for vacations and holidays even if they don't think it is fair but in my area, that isn't for lack of daycares available as there is one on every block, but I do think that still falls on the parent.

If they can't afford it or really don't agree with it then figure it out. Stop blaming child cares who do charge for sick days. If you have a child and it is that important to you to not pay those closed days, then find a care provider who doesn't charge, stay home and watch your own child, find a relative or friend to do it cheaper. There really is no excuse.

I am NOT forcing anyone to sign on and pay my holidays or vacation days. I offer X. Buy it or move along. I don't mind either way but I will continue to charge for some of the holidays I am closed and my vacations. When I come back, I am happier, healthier and a lot more peppier about my job. Parents all understand that I too need mental health days without the stress of worrying if my light bill will get paid this month.

I think that the number one thing for everyone, BOTH providers and parents to remember is it is all about communication and taking responsibility for our own choices.

I can't complain if I didn't charge a parent but wanted to and a parent can't complain if they agreed to it but doesn't want to. kwim?

For those providers who don't charge for any holidays and/or closed days, and it works for them. Great! I am NOT dissing them for it. I respect them for doing whatever works for them. I guess I expect the same.

Every business has its ups and downs. I am sure waitresses and car mechanics could tell you some doozies, though in this case it would be the restaurant owner, and they DO get after hours calls, and a variety of headaches.
I understand the headaches this business has, and I cannot deny that the mental well being of the provider is important. But like any business, it is the OWNER's responsibility to handle that. If you choose to do so by charging for times the children are not there, I am not dissing you. That is your choice. But I can't do that. I just wanted it out there that not everyone does this. It doesn't HAVE to be that way.

[Blackcat31]

Every business has its ups and downs. I am sure waitresses and car mechanics could tell you some doozies, though in this case it would be the restaurant owner, and they DO get after hours calls, and a variety of headaches.
I understand the headaches this business has, and I cannot deny that the mental well being of the provider is important. But like any business, it is the OWNER's responsibility to handle that. If you choose to do so by charging for times the children are not there, I am not dissing you. That is your choice. But I can't do that. I just wanted it out there that not everyone does this. It doesn't HAVE to be that way.

I know. It takes ALL of us to do this and it is important to make sure parents (as well as providers) know there ARE choices and there are so many different providers out there that no one should ever have to be in a situation where either party is uncomfortable or unhappy with the agreement they have together.

I didn't charge for the first 10-13 years I was in business. I do it now and I do it for reasons that I didn't have or couldn't use back then.

It works for me now, but who knows what my situation will be next year or even farther down the road.

[LaLa1923]

True, you get to choose, and if you can get people to pay it, go for it. But this is not a gym membership. If the gym is closed you don't have to pay another gym. If a parent needs to work and you are closed, they must pay another caretaker.

No, they don't have to pay. They should always have a backup sitter. Most families have family or a teen they know

[Willow]

They should always have a backup sitter. Most families have family or a teen they know

In a perfect world that would be true.

Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world.

"Most" is a giant and often times incorrect assumption.......


One of my three families don't have any family in the area and we live rurally in a very small town. Another has her mother, but she's got muscular dystrophy and is physically incapable of taking care of her two young grandchildren even though I'm sure she'd give anything to be able to. The last has her mother too, but she's got stage 3 lung cancer and while undergoing chemo cannot take the kids on their sick days as it would literally endanger her life. None of their siblings live anywhere near here. The closest is a good 45 minutes away. There are less than a handful of providers in my area and they're all full.

If I close, or my daycare kids are sick it means my parents are taking off of work to stay home. Only one dad gets PTO but his days are incredibly limited. That's not some negligence on their part, it just is what it is. They can't simply create people who don't exist purely for my or their own convenience.




I'm not sure why people feel they have to inject if they're getting paid for holidays when a question like this is posed and then proceed to question if someone shares they don't do the same. Happens every single time without fail. That's not at all what the OP was asking for or intended this thread to be about.

[LaLa1923]

In a perfect world that would be true.

Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world.

"Most" is a giant and often times incorrect assumption.......


One of my three families don't have any family in the area and we live rurally in a very small town. Another has her mother, but she's got muscular dystrophy and is physically incapable of taking care of her two young grandchildren even though I'm sure she'd give anything to be able to. The last has her mother too, but she's got stage 3 lung cancer and while undergoing chemo cannot take the kids on their sick days as it would literally endanger her life. None of their siblings live anywhere near here. The closest is a good 45 minutes away. There are less than a handful of providers in my area and they're all full.

If I close, or my daycare kids are sick it means my parents are taking off of work to stay home. Only one dad gets PTO but his days are incredibly limited. That's not some negligence on their part, it just is what it is. They can't simply create people who don't exist purely for my or their own convenience.




I'm not sure why people feel they have to inject if they're getting paid for holidays when a question like this is posed and then proceed to question if someone shares they don't do the same. Happens every single time without fail. That's not at all what the OP was asking for or intended this thread to be about.

People often give their take on situations that weren't asked by an op. Happened in my post too. There are several who went that route here, I certainly wasn't the first. I like hearing other sides.
I live in an area where there are a lot of providers and family. I guess it all depends on where you live too.

[Play Care]

And to get back on track

New Year's Day (unpaid - part of my vacation time)
MLK Jr. Day PAID holiday
2/15 - 2/22 Vacation unpaid
Memorial Day (paid) I am taking an paid personal day the Friday before Memorial day
Last week in June unpaid vacation
Indpendence Day paid holiday
Labor Day paid holiday
Columbus Day Paid
Thanksgiving PAID
Black Friday unpaid
Christmas week(s) I always take a week off here unpaid. Typically it's longer than a week because I "pad" days - this year I was closed the Friday before Christmas and opened yesterday. I do it unpaid as it is a lot of time off and most parents will need to pay someone to watch their child. Most of my clients wind up paying me for the holidays that fall on that week anyway I don't charge for any of my vacations BUT I do charge a couple bucks "extra" per child for tuition that goes into my vacation accounts. Actually winds up being more than if I did charge for vacation I do charge for holidays because all of my clients DO get those days off PAID. And I'll be honest in that I am very picky about the clients I do take on - I prefer government employees or teachers and that's pretty much who I have.

I give myself 3-5 paid sick/personal days per year. I found that having parents pay me for my sick time greatly cut down on the times they sent their kids in to me sick. Before the policy they would send them in, and then when I would get their plague they would take the day off (PAID) while I was out the money. So far the only planned day off is the Friday before Memorial Day. I'll probably be responsible and save the others in case I get sick

[Crazy8]

I get the following PAID holidays:

New Years Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Years Eve

That is 9 paid holidays per year (also get 1 wk paid vacation). I don't have a SINGLE parent - out of 10 of them - who doesn't have most/all of those days off - actually most get many MORE. I feel its a benefit I deserve for the job I do. Parents around here are not desperate for child care by any means, but they have no problem agreeing to the terms of my contract with those 9 holidays. They all see it as more than fair.

[Angelsj]

I know. It takes ALL of us to do this and it is important to make sure parents (as well as providers) know there ARE choices and there are so many different providers out there that no one should ever have to be in a situation where either party is uncomfortable or unhappy with the agreement they have together.

I didn't charge for the first 10-13 years I was in business. I do it now and I do it for reasons that I didn't have or couldn't use back then.

It works for me now, but who knows what my situation will be next year or even farther down the road.

Very true. And maybe one day, I will see the need to charge. One never knows .

[daycarediva]

I understand where you are coming from but there has to be some compromise here.

We aren't a restaurant or a garage for car repairs. We care for other people's children so they can make a living and pay their bills. It is can be a super stressful job...one that should have mental health days built into it in order to ensure that your caregiver remains mentally, physically and emotionally healthy.

Restaurant servers work specific shifts with breaks. Car repair places have standard hours, rarely are they open 10, 11 or 12 hours or more a day. They have times and days to recoup and recovery from a stressful shift. I have also never call my car mechanic or my waitress after hours to ask a question about a menu item or a service repair bill. I have never eaten my food and then only paid for half or tried to negotiate fees or costs I already agreed to pay. I have never brought my car in to have the oil changed while the tires are flat and then expected the mechanic to simply deal with it. kwim?

Child care is a business where EVERYTHING is dependent on the well being (physically, emotionally and mentally) of the caregiver.

I do take PAID vacation time and a couple paid holidays but I also give parents a certain number of free days to use at their discretion to kind of balance it out.

But I can't just not charge whenever someone isn't scheduled or decides at the last minute the grandma Peggy will watch their child for free. I can't take another customer on such short notice like a car repair shop or restaurant can.

Parents have to pay for some of that "availability" whether they use it or not.

I can't care for children if I am constantly stressed and worried about my budget and income. It just isn't feasible unless you have a second income or spouse who brings home a secure paycheck. Not everyone has that.

Parents might very well sign on for things they really don't agree with an end up paying for vacations and holidays even if they don't think it is fair but in my area, that isn't for lack of daycares available as there is one on every block, but I do think that still falls on the parent.

If they can't afford it or really don't agree with it then figure it out. Stop blaming child cares who do charge for sick days. If you have a child and it is that important to you to not pay those closed days, then find a care provider who doesn't charge, stay home and watch your own child, find a relative or friend to do it cheaper. There really is no excuse.

I am NOT forcing anyone to sign on and pay my holidays or vacation days. I offer X. Buy it or move along. I don't mind either way but I will continue to charge for some of the holidays I am closed and my vacations. When I come back, I am happier, healthier and a lot more peppier about my job. Parents all understand that I too need mental health days without the stress of worrying if my light bill will get paid this month.

I think that the number one thing for everyone, BOTH providers and parents to remember is it is all about communication and taking responsibility for our own choices.

I can't complain if I didn't charge a parent but wanted to and a parent can't complain if they agreed to it but doesn't want to. kwim?

For those providers who don't charge for any holidays and/or closed days, and it works for them. Great! I am NOT dissing them for it. I respect them for doing whatever works for them. I guess I expect the same.

I completely agree BC, and I don't want this to turn into a provider bashing thread. As Angel said, it is a business and we can run it as we see fit. The WONDERFUL thing about home child care is that if a parent doesn't agree, they CAN (usually) find someone else.

I take 10 paid days off per year. That averages out to less than 1 day/month. The days I take are days that my parents have off already.

3/29 Good Friday pd
7/4 Fourth of July pd
7/5 unpaid (this is in my contract that I take a long weekend over fourth of July)
10/31 closing at 4pm-prorated 1-2 hours of care
11/28 & 11/29 thanksgiving and day after pd
12/24-12-26 pd

So I took 6 paid days, and have 4 to use as needed. I am hoping (and listed this when I handed out my calendar for the year with days off) that I won't use them and can take the entire week of Christmas off paid. ALL of my daycare parents were off that week and ALL have said that they are off that week next year, too.

[LaLa1923]

In a perfect world that would be true.

Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world.

"Most" is a giant and often times incorrect assumption.......


One of my three families don't have any family in the area and we live rurally in a very small town. Another has her mother, but she's got muscular dystrophy and is physically incapable of taking care of her two young grandchildren even though I'm sure she'd give anything to be able to. The last has her mother too, but she's got stage 3 lung cancer and while undergoing chemo cannot take the kids on their sick days as it would literally endanger her life. None of their siblings live anywhere near here. The closest is a good 45 minutes away. There are less than a handful of providers in my area and they're all full.

If I close, or my daycare kids are sick it means my parents are taking off of work to stay home. Only one dad gets PTO but his days are incredibly limited. That's not some negligence on their part, it just is what it is. They can't simply create people who don't exist purely for my or their own convenience.




I'm not sure why people feel they have to inject if they're getting paid for holidays when a question like this is posed and then proceed to question if someone shares they don't do the same. Happens every single time without fail. That's not at all what the OP was asking for or intended this thread to be about.

People often give their take on situations that weren't asked by an op. Happened in my post too. There are several who went that route here, I certainly wasn't the first. I like hearing other sides.
I live in an area where there are a lot of providers and family. I guess it all depends on where you live too.

[LaLa1923]

I'm sorry this posted twice!!