Do Your DCP's Ever Make You Feel...

[caregiver]

guilty when you have to take a day off? I have a set of dcp's who give me a little bit of a hard time, just always say that neither one of them can take a day off of work and keep saying they will have to make it work somehow, but really makes me feel guilty. I have to take a day off next week for a Dr appointment, I have to have fasting blood work done, which means I have to get a early morning appointment. Then my Dr always seems to want to do other tests sometimes and I never know how long it will take, so I take the whole day off.
I certainly will not take my daycare kids with me to a Dr appointment!
Sometimes I feel like DCP's don't think we have a life besides doing daycare!
In my contract I have it that when I have to take a day off for whatever reason, it is up to the parents to find alternate care for their child. So they are fully aware of it.
Anyone else have dcp's that make you feel this way when having to take a day off?

[morgan24]

No never and you shouldn't either. I don't give them the chance. If they make a comment about having to take a day off or that they are out of vacation time, I dont even answer. The awkward silence and the look on my face is enough to stop it from ever happening again. Don't feel let them make you feel guilty...ever about a day off.

[Blackcat31]

Having a plan for back up is 100% necessary and something that is discussed in great length during the interview.

I refuse to allow a client to make me feel guilty for their lack of planning.

I schedule my days off in advance with LOTS of notice so I don't think there has ever been a case of a parent trying to make a big deal of having to accommodate it.

I rarely close unexpectedly so I can't really say how they would behave in that scenario but I would still expect respect and compliance.

[Play Care]

"DCM, It seems from your comments that my child care just isn't the right fit for you. I love having little Susie here, but completely understand if you need to move to day care center. There are so many benefits to an in home, but it's certainly not for everyone!" All said with a

[Shell]

Yes, and no. My new families are a lot more respectful of my time, but that is because I have learned along the way. One family that has been with me from the beginning always makes me feel guilty about time off, gives me a sob story about not having any coverage, etc. Unfortunately, because I allowed this in the beginning, they feel they can negotiate my days off. I am fed up with it, and have told them no more. However, I am still considering terming just because the disrespect is always an issue.
The ladies on here are correct, though- you (and I) shouldn't feel badly, or feel the need to be available constantly. We all need time for ourselves, and our family, so don't feel guilty!

[Shell]

"DCM, It seems from your comments that my child care just isn't the right fit for you. I love having little Susie here, but completely understand if you need to move to day care center. There are so many benefits to an in home, but it's certainly not for everyone!" All said with a

This is great.

[Naptime yet?]

Or just keep it in the back of your mind how often the dcps bring their kids to you when THEY have the day off. Unless it doesn't bother you, in which case, nevermind

[Annalee]

Yes, and no. My new families are a lot more respectful of my time, but that is because I have learned along the way. One family that has been with me from the beginning always makes me feel guilty about time off, gives me a sob story about not having any coverage, etc. Unfortunately, because I allowed this in the beginning, they feel they can negotiate my days off. I am fed up with it, and have told them no more. However, I am still considering terming just because the disrespect is always an issue.
The ladies on here are correct, though- you (and I) shouldn't feel badly, or feel the need to be available constantly. We all need time for ourselves, and our family, so don't feel guilty!

I am with you! When I first went to charging 52 weeks, the old parents changed in how they treated me. But the new parents just took it for what it was. It will get easier as the old is weeded out! Hang in there!

[MotherNature]

My old families would. The last ones quit during my paid vacation. They paid in full, but because I had scheduled my 2 weeks paid vacation around holidays when I had extra paid days off, they said I left them in a tight spot. I let them know my schedule months in advance & it's in the contract they need to have their own backup. They would always say they couldn't take the day off, but they were able to stay home when sick, bringing me their baby...

[grandmom]

I had families beg for holiday care: Oh, we have to work, don't have any backup, could you please?

Yeah, now their kids are older, school is closed, guess who takes the day off. So I changed my policies. I will never give up a holiday again. The new parents accept it.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

guilty when you have to take a day off? I have a set of dcp's who give me a little bit of a hard time, just always say that neither one of them can take a day off of work and keep saying they will have to make it work somehow, but really makes me feel guilty. I have to take a day off next week for a Dr appointment, I have to have fasting blood work done, which means I have to get a early morning appointment. Then my Dr always seems to want to do other tests sometimes and I never know how long it will take, so I take the whole day off.
I certainly will not take my daycare kids with me to a Dr appointment!
Sometimes I feel like DCP's don't think we have a life besides doing daycare!
In my contract I have it that when I have to take a day off for whatever reason, it is up to the parents to find alternate care for their child. So they are fully aware of it.
Anyone else have dcp's that make you feel this way when having to take a day off?

One parent one time recently when there were a lot of ice days and the local daycare center began following our local school district's closings so we did, too, and LOVED it!

She said she was really disappointed in me. I ignored it and when I wrote everyone to tell them we were re-opening I made sure I included "because we were able to get groceries and supplies for all of the children." If I cannot get proper groceries and supplies over the weekend for the upcoming week of care then I will not open that Monday, I am sorry. This has never happened before but when an ice storm hits it hits and there is nothing I can do about it. I will not risk my life or my kid's lives for daycare children.

My parent handbook states that any additional closings outside of the holidays I listed will be reimbursed (and I did refund them). After that ice storm (the first closing I have had that wasn't pre-arranged a year in advance and given to the parents on paper) I wrote in my parent handbook that we will follow the local district's closings and will not reimburse just to cover my hiney in the future. We recently DID open when they were closed and I said I made the decision to override theirs because the weather was not bad at all (seriously...no ice or snow on the ground...bizarre). I knew if I closed I would lose clients and I cannot afford that.

If a parent said that to me I would tell them, "That is why you should always have back-up care in the event that something happens. When they get to school I am sure there will be instances where they are sent home sick and you will need a back-up person or will have to go and get them in that instance as well."

[Josiegirl]

The group I have right now is pretty good about it. In fact, I have 2 dcfs that have made the remark I should take vacation time, etc. I think they're afraid of burn-out.
I always harbor guilt anyways; it's simply in my nature. In fact, recently I started having some dental issues after 30 years of neglect. So in trying to make up for all that, I'm finally tackling my teeth one problem at a time. Right now my dentist is open 3x a week, noon-6(it works well because I only have to close 30 minutes early). April will bring those hours to 8-4. How the heck am I supposed to schedule appointments? I don't really have anyone to fill in for me. I wish I did. But the 2 people I do have, are nervous around kids.

[CraftyMama]

Advance notice of planned days off are essential for "smooth running" in this business. Try not to let the DCP make you feel guilty. They're responsible for backup.

[MarinaVanessa]

Clients may try sometimes but no they don't make me feel guilty because I know that I need the day and I know that they know what they agreed to in my contract and they chose not to have back-up care well then ... that was their choice and so I can't feel bad for something I had nothing to do with.

"You know Susan, I notice that you have a hard time each time I have to close and if that's the case then you really should arrange back-up care. I mean, since this happens every single time I have to close which is rare."