On Changing Hours

[DaisyMamma]

I'm planning on changing my hours from 830-530 to 8-5 starting next school year. I'm feeling guilty and scared about one family that I may lose. I know the others can adapt. They've been a great family in every way. Scared because what if their replacement family isn't a good one

[littlemissmuffet]

Just do your best during the interview/screening process to find a good replacement family... if it doesn't work, rinse and repeat!

Oh, and don't feel guilty for the family that your new hours won't work for... working an average of 1320 hours LESS every year is NOTHING to feel guilty about

[Blackcat31]

what if their replacement family is the best family you've ever had?


.....worry goes both ways!

Stop stressing about the unknown. It gives you gray hairs... ::

[CrackerJacks]

I wouldn't change your hours just for one family. What if you change your hours and then 1mo later something happens and they no longer need care? I think yoir hours are great! I do the 8-5:30p and am actually changing to 8:30a in the fall. At some point will change to 5p as well. You may not realize it now, but that extra 1/2hr in the am and pm is worth soo much. I would t recommend doing it.

[wdmmom]

I changed my hours from a 530pm closing to a 5pm closing time last summer.

I gave notice in April that the change would take place in July.

I got a little heat from one family that works a lot of overtime but this year, she managed to figure it out with the help of gma, gpa and friends that would drop him off at regular time rather than early and pick him up on time.

BEST decision I could have made. That half hour closing made all the difference to me!

I only had 1 kid most days until 530pm anyway and it was very trying just to keep him occupied while I attempted to start dinner.

The sibling group was picked up about 510pm each day. Now DCM picks up 2 days a week at 430pm and dcd picks up the other 2 days right about 455pm.

Every one is out the door by 5pm! I wouldn't ever go back to a later closing!

[bunnyslippers]

When I first opened, I was open from 6:45-4:30, to accommodate one particular family. I changed my hours to 7:30-4:00 the following year, and that family adapted. It was a life changer!!! I can honestly say that those shorter days - just 75 extra minutes a day - made all the difference in my home life. Go for it, and don't look back! You will not regret it!!!!!