Thoughts on Closing Early for Sports?

[littlefriends]

My daughter and I are very close. It doesn't depend on attending kid's school events. There are a lot of other things that help to build great relationships with own kids. I think the school event attending is at the bottom of the list of these things. It is the simplest one to do but isn't most important.

Here too. My daughter and I do a lot together at night and on the weekends. She loves to play games and we watch a lot of movies together and she likes to read to me. I try to go in to have lunch with her at school once or twice per year but I don’t attend any of the parties or field trips.

[Rockgirl]

If there’s time to give ample notice, it doesn’t really matter why we close, or close early. Most of my closures are so that I can go to rock concerts with my husband and our friends. I give plenty of notice, and don’t do it too often...one day maybe every 4-6 months. Do I ‘need’ to go? Does it make me unprofessional? I’ve also, with plenty of notice, taken a Friday off for no reason, other than to have a day to myself. I see providers being encouraged to do that to prevent burnout. I don’t see the difference....why do we get to decide for others what is an acceptable reason and what isn’t?

If she is springing it on parents last minute, then I would agree that it’s not the most professional thing to do. With notice, I don’t see an issue.

[Blackcat31]

If there’s time to give ample notice, it doesn’t really matter why we close, or close early. Most of my closures are so that I can go to rock concerts with my husband and our friends. I give plenty of notice, and don’t do it too often...one day maybe every 4-6 months. Do I ‘need’ to go? Does it make me unprofessional? I’ve also, with plenty of notice, taken a Friday off for no reason, other than to have a day to myself. I see providers being encouraged to do that to prevent burnout. I don’t see the difference....why do we get to decide for others what is an acceptable reason and what isn’t?

If she is springing it on parents last minute, then I would agree that it’s not the most professional thing to do. With notice, I don’t see an issue.

I understand what you are saying but I think what you posted and what OP posted are completely different in my opinion.

OP specifically said it would inconvenience her families.
OP asked others to help her not feel guilty.....indicating she knew it would be tough for her families to accommodate.

I agree that taking ample time off does help prevent burnout.

I also agree that it shouldn't matter why anyone takes a day off.

It seems more than anything it appears that many are offended that someone said she thought it was unprofessional.

Why is that opinion so offensive and upsetting? (not directed at you...)

We all define professionalism differently.

I take time off. Like you, with plenty of advance notice.

I also pride myself on being super reliable and rarely take time off that I think will inconvenience my clients. I structure my off time and my closures so that I can live up to my definition of professional.

I know my definition of professional differs from how others define it but there isn't anything wrong with that.

As an example, any time I say on social media that I think yoga pants are unprofessional it starts a huge drama-fest.
But that's my opinion.

[Rockgirl]

I understand what you are saying but I think what you posted and what OP posted are completely different in my opinion.

OP specifically said it would inconvenience her families.
OP asked others to help her not feel guilty.....indicating she knew it would be tough for her families to accommodate.

I agree that taking ample time off does help prevent burnout.

I also agree that it shouldn't matter why anyone takes a day off.

It seems more than anything it appears that many are offended that someone said she thought it was unprofessional.

Why is that opinion so offensive and upsetting? (not directed at you...)

We all define professionalism differently.

I take time off. Like you, with plenty of advance notice.

I also pride myself on being super reliable and rarely take time off that I think will inconvenience my clients. I structure my off time and my closures so that I can live up to my definition of professional.

I know my definition of professional differs from how others define it but there isn't anything wrong with that.

As an example, any time I say on social media that I think yoga pants are unprofessional it starts a huge drama-fest.
But that's my opinion.

I do see your point. I give my families 2-3 months’ notice for closures, so there’s really no reason they can’t make it work.

I guess we all have something we would not feel comfortable doing in our daycares, and it’s great that we can each do things how we see fit. I actually feel naked in yoga pants, so those are out for me.

[knoxmomof2]

I rarely close, except for up to 2 weeks unpaid vacation (with a months' notice) and I get 5 paid Holidays. My Husband has a weekday off, so he does the kids' appointments, car repair appointments, etc and my doctor has after hours appointments for me. Otherwise, I've closed 3 times in 6.5 years. Once for a medical emergency of my own, once for the death of my Husband's Grandfather out of state and once for a necessary anatomy ultrasound for my last pregnancy. Otherwise, I saw a midwife on Sundays for all of my prenatal appointments, but the ultrasound was a referral appointment at another provider's office and I had to take the appointment they gave me. I had 4 days' notice. That time, I gave them the option of half day or keeping their child with them. Other than that, I am here. That being said, I make it clear in the interview that it is just me here and things do come up so they will need to have a backup plan. If my closing early a couple of times with notice puts them in a bad position, that's due to lack of preparation on their part - or they didn't listen very well at the interview 😁

I saw your update, but my thought is : a day or 2 a year, unpaid, with notice for something important to you is something you should be able to do. I'd give them the choice of not paying and keeping their child out for the day, or only being open for a half day and charging half rate. I wouldn't leave closing right up until you need to leave because that's when someone will flake... Every time....

[Laugh and Learn]

You should not miss out on your sons games if it’s important to you. I think it is perfectly fine to close an hour and a half early only one day a week for 6 weeks ( I forgot how long you said it would be for ) I would discuss it with the parents and most likely everyone would be fine with it. I would not charge less for the day either.
I try not to miss out on things because personally I would regret it. I have a very reliable assistant and an additional back up substitute. I line everything up in advance, so I am always open during my contracted hours.