Does Anyone Else Constantly Have to Battle with Holidays? WTF!

[KristinsHomeCC]

Every. Single. Holiday. I get crap for not being open.

My DCPs are in different fields of work so some have off this holiday, but not that one, etc.

I put a notice up about it and its like I just told them I'm closing for good. Like I just completely left them stranded.

"But we are still open" "But DCG's brother is out of school also but he has ELC to take care of him..."

Does anyone else deal with this or do I just have some parents that have a hard time grasping that I, too, am allowed to take holidays off. This is my business and I take all federal holidays off regardless of what your work does!!!

[childcaremom]

I used to. They are no longer my clients.

[laundrymom]

I don't. But I may word it differently than you do?
I just say

Daycare is closed in observance of (whatever holiday). See you on (next open day).
I have closed unexpectedly 6 times in 29 years. They know I relish my days off.

Lol. I had a particularly hard Friday last week and when the last ones mom got here she let out a deep breath and wilted when I opened the front door.
"I'm so glad it's Friday and I'm off tomorrow. "
"Me too. See ya Monday. " I opened the door, shooed little snowflake out the door and closed it tight.
She texted me sat morning and apologized for snowflakes behavior. Apparently he was the same at home. Lol
Because of days like this they know not to mess w my holidays. Lol

[daycare]

I used to. They are no longer my clients.

ditto!!!! The people that have tried to push any of my polices find out very early on that I won't tolerate it. They either leave on their own or I term them.

Just curious, do your clients do this with the rest of your policies?

[grandmom]

I used to have the same trouble. Then I started being so proactive, they couldn't avoid me. I sent an email at the beginning of the year, write it on the calendar the month before, and then in big letters on the current month's calendar. Then when they questioned me, I'd just pull out last month's calendar and show them that it was on there a month ago.

Works for me.

[DaveA]

I don't battle with DCPs. I post when I'm closed with plenty of time and multiple reminders. It's not my problem if they screw up planning ahead. If they try to raise a stink I just remind them I gave notice well in advance.

[lovemydaycare0912]

My parents that I have now dont moan about it. More than half the time they don't even know I'm closed until the day before because they forget. They know it's their fault because they got it in the handbook. I go over the handbook upon enrollment. I have even been more in depth on my policies in my interviews with newer families so there is no surprise later. I did have 1 family who had an issue with my days off and paying when her son was absent and that was my 1st family whom also was the first family I ever termed. Wish I termed them sooner!

[Blackcat31]

Every. Single. Holiday. I get crap for not being open.

My DCPs are in different fields of work so some have off this holiday, but not that one, etc.

I put a notice up about it and its like I just told them I'm closing for good. Like I just completely left them stranded.

"But we are still open" "But DCG's brother is out of school also but he has ELC to take care of him..."

Does anyone else deal with this or do I just have some parents that have a hard time grasping that I, too, am allowed to take holidays off. This is my business and I take all federal holidays off regardless of what your work does!!!

"But we are still open"

"I know that but my daycare is not. That's why it's important that YOU have reliable back up care. As a business owner, I set my days and hours of operation according to MY family's needs not your place of employment." (all said in a positive tone)

Parents can complain, vent and whine but you have to help them understand that your business choices/decisions are not based on their needs or their employers needs but rather based on YOUR needs.

That's why its called SELF employment.

When parents/clients understand the different perspectives they understand the reasoning or logic much better, even when it doesn't benefit them.

[KristinsHomeCC]

man, oh man I was heated when I wrote this ::

I have a great set of parents that follow all of my other policies perfectly. All pay on time, never late, etc. Holidays are just something that is a pain everytime it comes up.

I am a super over-thinker and also have crazy anounts of empathy so it's hard to shrug off when they make comments like that. I instantly want to find a way to help and make it my problem but the business owner in me (and the fact that my husbands also a business owner and he'd never let me live it down if I did something to make DCP happy but not myself) knows I deserve these days off. So I keep my back bone when it comes to them.

After posting here, DCM asked me if Id like to make extra money and work on Friday. DCG was out all week due to having an U.R.I so by Friday, Id be working on a day off and on top of it, it would be with a sick child doing breathing treatments. Sorry, but no.

[Ariana]

I have one week off during Christmas written in my contract which makes it very easy to take it off. I simply tell the parents which week I am taking off in advance. I also remind everyone well in advance, like September when no one is really thinking about it. It gives them ample time to find alternate care.

I wouldn't worry about their griping! You could stay open and keep their kids 24/7 all through Christmas and they'd find something to complain about

[jenboo]

I give out a calendar for the following year of all closures in nov/dec. (Next week I'm giving of the calendar for 2017). I also give it to parents before they sign on. When signing their contract, parent's have to initial saying they agree to all providers time off. I also post the calendar next to the sign in sheet.

I don't have anyone question it.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I don't battle with DCPs. I post when I'm closed with plenty of time and multiple reminders. It's not my problem if they screw up planning ahead. If they try to raise a stink I just remind them I gave notice well in advance.

YEP!

But, mine don't.

[Crazy Baby]

I recently had a DCM get snippy with me because I told her that I am taking the observed holiday of Jan. 2nd off. My contract states that I will give them 2 week notice for time off including holidays (even though my contract also states that I am off all holidays). I usually try to give a lot more though. I've had a few issues with this mom because she has to have her work schedule done 3 months in advance. Apparently she asked me if I would be open that day on the spot at pick up a while back and said that I said I would be. I honestly don't even remember that conversation and told her to only rely on my written notices.

Do any of you take the observed holiday off if the holiday falls on the weekend?

[Baby Beluga]

I recently had a DCM get snippy with me because I told her that I am taking the observed holiday of Jan. 2nd off. My contract states that I will give them 2 week notice for time off including holidays (even though my contract also states that I am off all holidays). I usually try to give a lot more though. I've had a few issues with this mom because she has to have her work schedule done 3 months in advance. Apparently she asked me if I would be open that day on the spot at pick up a while back and said that I said I would be. I honestly don't even remember that conversation and told her to only rely on my written notices.

Do any of you take the observed holiday off if the holiday falls on the weekend?

Yes, I do this with every major holiday.

[Fiddlesticks]

I also give out a calendar for the following year in November. I go over the calendar at the initial interview and again at the parent orientation, and stress that I am unapologetic about the number of days I am closed (and it is a lot, 12 paid and 30 more unpaid). My family lives in my business, we need time without the daycare to be able to keep this going without burnout. If any of my parents have a problem with the number of days that I am closed, they have learned to keep it to themselves.