Only Have One Child Most of The Week

[Play Care]

The family vacation thread reminded me that I will only have one day care child most of this week. I took a week off in February, so I planned on working this week (our area's Spring Break) A month ago my one parent said her MIL was coming in and wanted the kids Tuesday -Friday and could they use their vacation time. Sure. These are migh high needs boys so I thought that would be a nice break. Then my other family also asked, so I was down two more. I have a couple of teachers who had already asked to be off this week as part of their vacation time.

I went from thinking I would have at least five kids this week to having three today and then ONE the rest of the week. I don't even think the Dad of the one child is working, but he does do some side jobs/interviewing so I didn't want to "punish" him by taking off the week.

I am thinking that with new clients coming in, I will take away the family vacation policy and just not charge for my vacation only.

[MissAnn]

Exactly why I questioned the vacation/free days for families. Last week was our Spring Break. I have a lot of teachers kids. I ended up with 2 kids for 2 days. I am also very poor now because I needed the income to pay taxes! So, I am thinking of going back to 1/2 price for Spring and Fall breaks for any family who wants to take advantage of that. I would (at most) lose 1/2 my income for those weeks. Also, it will be easier to keep track of!

Don't sell yourselves short! I think we all need to have at least a 1 week paid vacation! I know I kind of lose mine when I give away what adds up to 1 week free to parents....but it does feel good when Christmas vacation comes and I get my 1 week plus 3 vacation days paid.

On the vacation/free days thread I noticed several gave away free days and did not give themselves free time off! I just really want to encourage everyone to rethink that! We work hard/long hours for very little pay....at least give yourself that little bit of pampering!

[rmc20021]

I just changed my policy too as I gave parents 12 free days per year (based on attendance and when they started) and I also did not charge for my vacations. I changed that to where they still have to pay for their vacations...no more free days, but there are no fees due for my vacations.

I'm in the same boat as you. It looks like I've lost some clients this week since changing my policy (which really is a good thing because they were the reasons I changed the policy so it's no big loss) and even though dcm has not told me, I'm pretty sure some of my other kids will be at their dad's all week. I can't get hold of mom because she's lost 3 phones in 2 months and doesn't even have one now.

With all that being said, I got a call from a family yesterday asking if I could keep their handicapped foster child this week and I said yes...now it's looking as though she is the only one I'm going to have. I can't tell them no now...and if these other families really have left (without notice) then I'm going to need the money.