2 Week's Notice Because I'm taking a Vacation

[Shell'skidfarm]

So just venting here a bit. I have been in the childcare business since 2003 and have not had a vacation in 9 years even though it is in my contract which all parents signed.
The last time I took my vacation was back in 2009. Have been working without another one. Why?
Traumatized due to the fact that last time I mentioned my vacation, I had families threaten to leave if I left. So I took my vacation and sure enough, two families with siblings did indeed give me a two week's notice upon my arrival. This left a bad taste in my mouth and have not wanted to repeat history, hence my not taking a vacation in nine years. Feeling burnt out and finally thinking of myself for once, I gave a 30 day notice last month stating that I would be taking my much needed vacation this month, and sure enough, I already received a two week's notice letter to terminate family of 2 children. It is a heartbreak for me to see that if I'm not here 365 days a year for the families, then I'm no longer good to them. So sad. I also raised my rates a measly $1.00 a day since 2004. All hell breaks
loose. Has anyone else in this business gone though this experience?? Thanks for letting me vent.

[Ariana]

It seems that this is a common experience for home care providers. I guess parents just see us as baby warehouses and not human beings. I personally have never had this happen in the 7 years I have been doing this but I don't charge for my vacation so that might be why. I also give 6 weeks notice at minimum. This year families got 3 months notice.

[Blackcat31]

So just venting here a bit. I have been in the childcare business since 2003 and have not had a vacation in 9 years even though it is in my contract which all parents signed.
The last time I took my vacation was back in 2009. Have been working without another one. Why?
Traumatized due to the fact that last time I mentioned my vacation, I had families threaten to leave if I left. So I took my vacation and sure enough, two families with siblings did indeed give me a two week's notice upon my arrival. This left a bad taste in my mouth and have not wanted to repeat history, hence my not taking a vacation in nine years. Feeling burnt out and finally thinking of myself for once, I gave a 30 day notice last month stating that I would be taking my much needed vacation this month, and sure enough, I already received a two week's notice letter to terminate family of 2 children. It is a heartbreak for me to see that if I'm not here 365 days a year for the families, then I'm no longer good to them. So sad. I also raised my rates a measly $1.00 a day since 2004. All hell breaks
loose. Has anyone else in this business gone though this experience?? Thanks for letting me vent.

I'm sorry you are having issues with this.

I have never had that type of reaction to any time off and consider myself blessed because of it.

I take two week long vacations a year, as well as most federal holidays and several personal days through the year off and never has any parent or family had issues with it.

My only advice is to never put yourself AFTER your clients.
You can't pour from an empty cup so make sure you take care of you first. always.

[Shell'skidfarm]

Thank you

Thank you for the encouragement. I feel that I gave enough time and I do not charge during my vacation time. I just don't get it.

[Ariana]

Thank you for the encouragement. I feel that I gave enough time and I do not charge during my vacation time. I just don't get it.

That is just ridiculous! I cannot believe parents would just switch their kids out over something so dumb

[Blackcat31]

Thank you for the encouragement. I feel that I gave enough time and I do not charge during my vacation time. I just don't get it.

Yeah, it's a tough to absorb but the reality is parents love you when it's working for them and hate you when it doesn't.

That is the # 1 reason providers struggle so it's always a good idea to make sure you are looking out for you and yours first and foremost. Others will adapt and accept or leave and if they leave, you didn't really need or want them as clients anyways.

[laundrymom]

I agree with the others.
Take it.
Raise your rates to reflect the income loss from being closed and take it unpaid.
If you don't feel comfortable raising them then raise for new clients and cycle the raises through as you replace. I've never had anyone balk at my vacations.
I take two, one week vacations each year.
If anyone acts offended or put off at the interview about my policies they aren't offered a spot.
I have had several who were shocked about some policies and when they call to set up a second tour or a deposit acceptance appointment I tell them. "Your reaction to my x,y,z policy gave me the impression that you would not be a good fit for my program as x,y,z policy is an important one and I won't argue about it at a later date. "

In this business it's hard to be assertive for our needs sometimes. Especially since we are supposed to "do it for our love of children"
I love kids. I do. But I also have to get a break. So do you!!!
Be assertive. Be business minded. Be matter of fact.
"We will be closed from this date to this date as outlined in our childcare contract.
And call it good.
If they leave it's for the best. Maybe you will enroll someone who respects you.
You deserve that!!

[Shell'skidfarm]

Thanks For Words of Encouragement

My day started kind of glum, but after reading positive comments, I am feeling much better.
I will go on my vacation, and I shall ENJOY myself.

[amberrose3dg]

You need to do what's best for you. At the end of the day it is safe to say parents Will screw you over if it benefits them. I have had families give me notice right before vacation time. Only one or two but you replace those families immediately. I will not enroll if they have issues with paid time off or paying for a spot no matter what .

[NeedaVaca]

I always feel so bad when I hear about these kinds of situations I have been fortunate that I have never had this happen to me but I think I am very very clear about my time off during the interviews. I take 3 weeks off paid every year and all major Holidays. I use every single day! You definitely don't want clients like that! I can't even imagine going 9 years without a vacation, you have to take care of YOU!

[littleflitter]

I'm so sorry that happened! :hug: I'm always worried families will decide it's "too much" time closed when I take my days off, but I would have such a hard time without those days! I've been giving families a rough estimate of my calendar when the re-enroll each year. It's never set in stone, but hopefully it's helpful for them plan things out with the expectation that I AM going to take time off. I'm not sure how you managed for so long! Enjoy your time and hopefully the right family will fit into that spot!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

If they leave you will replace them with families that don't make you feel guilty for closing unpaid for 1 tiny week.
That's terrible of them. I pray you get better clients.

[Snowmom]

Sorry you're going through this.

Yes, it's happened (and still happens) to me too.
I always have families who give notice before vacation time or time their final notice to not pay for holidays.

It stings.

I started to ask more questions at interviews and asked people: "how do you feel about your current provider taking time off"? When they say things that give me the feeling they're annoyed, I tell them "I need you to realize that I need time off from my job just as you do from yours. If I feel this will be an issue, then we can end the interview now".
That has helped!

Honestly though, you need to start with the mindset that YOU come first. Not their family needs, not their finances, not their health. YOURS.
ALWAYS.

Good luck!

[LovetheSun]

You deserve it!

I can't even believe these families would leave you because of that, shame on them! All childcare givers should and need time off so that we have enough rest to give the best to the children.

And after 9 years, you are going to feel so much better after this time off. Truly.

I am wondering if you would consider raising your prices to attract different kinds of families, because these ones do not seems to appreciate you.

[LovetheSun]

Sorry you're going through this.

Yes, it's happened (and still happens) to me too.
I always have families who give notice before vacation time or time their final notice to not pay for holidays.

Good luck!

It happened to me for the first time last year, I am consider changing my contract in 2018 so that if a family leave before the end of school year I keep their deposit (school year being from September to June).