Staying Open On Canada Day Question

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

I have a mom that has to work on July 1. I usually close that day cause it is a national holiday. But she needs me to watch the kids.
My hubby says that if I am gonna take the kids, I should charge her more for that day cause it's a State holiday.
Normally she pays me $50.00 a day for both kids.

I need opinions on what i should do and how to go about asking her for extra pay.

My contract states that i am closed all holidays, but says nothing about staying open or charging more.

[dEHmom]

I'm lucky because both my families are staying home this canada day (i guess because their employers are closed for the holiday). So I won't have any kids that day.

But I would just tell the mom, that sorry, but it is a holiday and you are not open. IF you are ok with watching the kids, advise her that it's extra XX dollars for that day for the 2 kids together because it's a holiday.

What is the pay on Canada day? 1.5x? or 2x? if it's double time then charge her extra 50. if it's 1.5 then charge extra 25. If you don't want to watch them, just advise her that it is a holiday, and you have other plans. Say camping or something based on the assumption all families were aware that it was a holiday and you'd be closed as per your contract.

[Blackcat31]

You have to consider the fact that if you make the exception on this "normally" closed day, that she will ask again for other days you are normally closed so you will have to have a strong enough backbone to just say no on those days you will not be willing to accommodate her.

As far as this holiday goes, if you do decide to help her out and watch the kids, I would charge her 1.5 to 2 times the normal rate per hour/day. I thinkit is so much harder to watch only a couple kids than a regular amount of kids so you have to consider that too.

I personally do not do holidays. NO EXCEPTIONS. They are the only guaranteed days I get with my family. (plus weekends )

[Lianne]

First, decide if you want to be caring for children when you're supposed to be closed. If you don't mind doing so then I'd tell mom that you're willing to watch her kids but it will cost more to open that day.

I often keep kids after hours or on days I'm closed but it's not considered typical "daycare". I take them with me to whatever I have planned and I charge the parents a higher fee. I do not provide/include these extra hours in their receipt, either. So, if decided to charge $80 to be open on a day I was supposed to be closed and a parent typically paid $50 for a day of childcare, they'd pay the $50 with their daycare fees and then the other $30 would just be cash in my hand. I also charge parents whatever it will cost for their child to participate in my day. So, if we planned to go to the movies, the parent would pay for their child's admission and snacks. I don't have kids of my own but most of my friends do. So, on days that we have plans, especially days like Canada Day, I enjoy taking kids with me. Even better, I get paid for doing so!

[Blackcat31]

If you don't want to watch them, just advise her that it is a holiday, and you have other plans. Say camping or something based on the assumption all families were aware that it was a holiday and you'd be closed as per your contract.

I wouldn't get into the habit of lying because you may run into each other up town or whatever. Simply practice saying "no." You are entitled to the days off that you put into your contract and they are entitled to ask I guess, but I would be honest and just say no. They do not need explanation, just "No, I am not willing to stay open on a scheduled day off."

[dEHmom]

I wouldn't get into the habit of lying because you may run into each other up town or whatever. Simply practice saying "no." You are entitled to the days off that you put into your contract and they are entitled to ask I guess, but I would be honest and just say no. They do not need explanation, just "No, I am not willing to stay open on a scheduled day off."

haha i see how that came off as an excuse, i didn't mean to lie. I just meant say if she had planned to go camping, now she has to wait until the daycare kid leaves, which ruins her plans. Even if her plan was to veg on the couch all day, it's her holiday day to do say, so if that's her plans to tell mom, sorry i'm busy that day, i'm planning to sleep all day and run around my house naked, and little johnny won't want to see that. hahaha.

[Blackcat31]

haha i see how that came off as an excuse, i didn't mean to lie. I just meant say if she had planned to go camping, now she has to wait until the daycare kid leaves, which ruins her plans. Even if her plan was to veg on the couch all day, it's her holiday day to do say, so if that's her plans to tell mom, sorry i'm busy that day, i'm planning to sleep all day and run around my house naked, and little johnny won't want to see that. hahaha.

I know how you meant it I didn't mean to sound harsh either but I guess I just have a tough time with parents who even ask this kind of thing...kwim? I am here and available already for long hours/days and loads of bs sometimes, but please do not ask for more than what I already do.

I learned early on that if I use a little white lie no matter how harmless, it will just come back to bite ya so that is what I was getting at. It is so much easier to just say, no. I don't even explain why any more, I just say no and leave it at that.

I actually had a dcm who said, "But why?" and I just said, "Because I said no. I don't want to." I guess I feel like I am old enough to not have to do anything I really don't want to anymore.

[Cat Herder]

If she enrolled knowing you were closed that day then she had plenty of time to re-schedule her life instead of expecting you to.

Just say NO, there should not be any guilt involved.

[Unregistered]

She knew you were closed and she needed to make other arrangements for her kids that day. IF you choose to take them, I believe Stat holidays are double time according to labor code. Make sure she pays what she should be.

Personally though I wouldn't do it. That just tells her that you will bail her out when she fails to plan properly. Would you cancel holiday plans for a parent? If not, then don't do this either.

[jojosmommy]

I would not do it. Next holiday she will expect the same. Some of my families work on July 4th and I don't feel bad about not being open. In fact I am closed the 5th too and I believe all my families are working then.

They never keep their kids at home when they get a day off....