Last Time You Took a Vacation?

[Josiegirl]

I haven't taken much time off in the past 2 1/2 years(my dad passed away at that time) and it's starting to wear on me. It's helped immensely that my 20 yo dd is back home this summer and she's working with me as my assistant. But I feel lots of classic signs of burn-out. I've never included paid vacation time in my policies; it's not something that's done regularly in my area. I cannot afford to take much time off as I'm supporting myself. In fact, starting this fall I might have to entertain the thought of offering extra hours to attract new clients.

What to do? What to do?

Then of course, the big green jealous monster takes hold as I see all my dcps going here or there, taking tons of time off... I have the good ole pity party then.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Do you ever close?

Do you take holidays off paid?

I took off 16 paid days this year from beginning until end. 8 don't fall on any holiday but are added. 1 extra day for the 4th of July (doing 4 day weekends really helps!!). 1 extra day for Thanksgiving. 6 extra days surrounding Christmas and New Years.

[TheGoodLife]

We are taking a small vacation next weekend- leaving after the kids are picked up on Wednesday and coming back Sunday- I took off Thursday, Friday, and Monday. Just to KC to visit my in-laws and go to Worlds of Fun, but looking forward to it!
I take paid holidays off, and have up to 10 paid days off in my contract. Last year (my first year) I think I took 5-7.

[Scout]

last vacation from work where I stayed home-I can't remember but, it had to be last year when I was working because I had 3 weeks and when I quit got paid for two...last vacation where I went somewhere other than camping was our honeymoon in Aug 2007 in Vegas. We came home with the biggest Jackpot of all and found out we were pregnant the next month! Haven't been able to go anywhere since!::

[Josiegirl]

I take New Year's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July(this year I did take that Friday also but unpaid), Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas. Those are all paid holidays.
I remember when my dh and I were still together, I'd take 2 weeks off a year because we could afford it. One week at a time. It was pure bliss.
I'm just tired of working and feel like complaining, I guess.
But on the upside, tomorrow is Friday again.

[Brooksie]

Whats a vacation?!



Just kidding. I take off Christmas Eve-New years day every year. Its my only vacation.

[JoseyJo]

We take off 8 paid holidays and 10 unpaid vacation days a year. This year we are going to Disney World for 9 days (counting the weekends) happyfacehappyfacehappyface

TAKE your time off! If you don't have paid time worked into your contract add it at your next renewal

[VTMom]

You could also consider raising your rates enough to allow yourself to take at least 1 week off. So if you charge $125, raising your rate by $2-3 dollars will cover it. You need to take care of yourself in order to care for others.

[Laurel]

I haven't taken much time off in the past 2 1/2 years(my dad passed away at that time) and it's starting to wear on me. It's helped immensely that my 20 yo dd is back home this summer and she's working with me as my assistant. But I feel lots of classic signs of burn-out. I've never included paid vacation time in my policies; it's not something that's done regularly in my area. I cannot afford to take much time off as I'm supporting myself. In fact, starting this fall I might have to entertain the thought of offering extra hours to attract new clients.

What to do? What to do?

Then of course, the big green jealous monster takes hold as I see all my dcps going here or there, taking tons of time off... I have the good ole pity party then.

Can your daughter watch them so you can at least get a day here or there away from the house or is she not legal to watch them alone as far as numbers or qualifications or whatever?

Just going to a movie or out shopping would be a nice break during the day if she can watch them.

Laurel

[Mister Sir Husband]

Not sure this counts as I haven't actually opened my doors yet, but I'm on vacation now. I left for North Myrtle Beach near the end of July and will be back in a couple more days. This is a trip that happens every year for us and it will be in my contract as two weeks that I will be closed.

[ksmith]

Taking breaks/vacations are so important. It really helps with burnout and you can come back feeling refreshed. We took a vacation during memorial day and are headed to Greece at the end of the month. It's a bit easier now to take time off since I'm working in a center, but I plan to take a month off every summer, and holidays throughout the school year once I reopen.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

Generally speaking I don't take "vacations". I take off holidays and days that I need off. I may take off 7 days throughout the year in addition to holidays.
But this year, drumroll.... I am taking off extra days around Labor Day (thursday- tuesday) and I, all by myself, am going on vacation. I am going to go visit my aunt. I am so excited!
Carve out at least a couple of long weekends for yourself! You will feel so much better!
:hug::hug:

[itlw8]

You NEED to take time off or you will burn out. I schedule it in Feb or March then the parents make it work. they either send kids to grandma or take their vacation the same time. lately this group all do the grandma thing so have a mini kidless vacation while they still work then take their vacation when it works for them.

[Blackcat31]

I take some time regularly. I take 5 paid holidays off as well as a week over July 4th and over Christmas but ANY time I feel as though I need a break, I schedule a Friday off. I make sure I give parents at least 2 weeks notice and then simply take the day.

I have it clearly written in my contract that I reserve the right to take a day off (when needed) as that time is detrimental to MY physical/emotional/mental health and since those things directly affect the children in my care, it is non-negotiable.

I also make it very clear to parents that they are required to have adequate back up care for those days. (I do NOT play the guilt game...where a parent feels they can guilt me into staying open because they don't have or couldn't find care).

I am also sure to explain to parents that I don't make a habit of "abusing" or taking advantage of taking those personal days.

As a matter of fact, I have only used 1 sick day in 20 years and the personal days I have taken off are few and far between. They were ALOT closer together though when I first started out and didn't have my groove goin'

[CedarCreek]

I took a week last month for vacation. But before that,I had never taken one.

I agree, you have to or you will burn out.