Requesting a Special Rate For Vacation - Ugh. I Love Being Put In Awkward Positions

[momofboys]

Anyone else thinking if they can afford two vacations, including a trip to Europe they can definitely afford to still pay for childcare!

Some people.

Yep, yep, you would think!

[Meeko]

Your response is great!!! I am just curious though, when did they tell you about the vac time? Another thing I have told parents before & I am rather blunt is this - I am sure you would not want your employer to tell you, "We won't need you for the next 4 weeks so we can't pay you. However, don't go looking for another job as we want you back in a month" :: Most parents understand when they put themselves in your shoes.

I have used this exact scenario with parents who asked about not paying. They were actually GREAT clients and it's been about 10 years and we are still in touch after they moved. The mom told me
"DCD's sister is coming to spend the summer with us and so she will be able to take care of the boys as things are a bit tight financially. But please still hold open the places for them, because they'll be back when she goes home".

I asked her...
"Imagine your boss saying that things were tight with the company right now, and the boss's daughter is going to do your job for free....so they are going to send you home and not pay you for a while. However, don't look for work, because we'll want you back at our convenience."

She looked horrified, threw her arms around me and said
"Oh! I never thought of it that way! I'm so sorry!"

I got paid all summer, tending the kids when the sister wanted time to herself.

[Meeko]

Anyone else thinking if they can afford two vacations, including a trip to Europe they can definitely afford to still pay for childcare!

Some people.

Exactly!

[Meeko]

What they were asking is...

"We're going on a lovely vacation and then a business trip (which will be paid for by the company). Please take a months worth of income out of YOUR pocket, so we can enjoy it even more".........

[Blackcat31]

No response ! DCM dropped off and picked up today, without a word. Also, I know DCD saw the message because it was a FB message to our business page and it shows you "read at xx:xx".

No response at all. Not even a "okay, we understand".

I would HAVE to say something face to face..... "Say Bill, did you get my reply to your request for reduction of rates during your vacation? Do you or Jane have any questions? Thanks for understanding."

It would just bug me to no end to not get a response from them and I am not very good at letting things like this just sit....without some kind of acknowledgment from the parents.

[TheGoodLife]

I would HAVE to say something face to face..... "Say Bill, did you get my reply to your request for reduction of rates during your vacation? Do you or Jane have any questions? Thanks for understanding."

It would just bug me to no end to not get a response from them and I am not very good at letting things like this just sit....without some kind of acknowledgment from the parents.

I agree!

[daycarediva]

Did they ever respond? How did it go?

[momofboys]

Iwas wondering also if you had confronted the parents about it?

[blandino]

I was going to today, when DCM asked if they could combine the next three payments while they are on vacation onto one check, and give it to us Friday. So I took that as my answer.

I do however think they may give two-weeks notice in between the vacations. This time, giving two weeks would have meant they were paying for the dirt week of a two week vacation anyway, so I don't think the one week was worth it to them. But it may happen between this vacation & the next one. Oh well...