Does Anybody Know What Days They Are Taking Off For Christmas?

[cheerfuldom]

Christmas Eve is on a Saturday, Christmas on a Sunday this year. My contract states that I get Christmas Eve off and Christmas day off. If the holiday falls on a Saturday, I take the Friday off. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, I take the Monday off. Previously, I have never used that part of my contract. I just have a hard time closing when a holiday (any observed holiday) falls on the weekend and none of the parents have the Friday or the Monday off. Its hard for me to feel comfortable getting a paid day off when the parents don't and they have to find and pay for alternative daycare. I can see this issue causing resentment and have just never used that part of the contract to my advantage even though they all signed it. What all are you taking off? Right now I have two full timers that do not have a problem with alternate care (lots of family in the area) and two part timers that can work their schedule around this from what I understand of their job situation (plus one has family in the area too and the other uses my backup provider). So it really shouldn't be a big deal for me to take the four days so why am I still feeling guilty? I have never had a single sick day (that was non-maternity related in 5 years). I am super super reliable. But I always seem to have that one parent that gets all nasty about something and sometimes it isn't even worth the fight, you know? what are you guys doing?

[Zoe]

I will be taking off the 23rd as my "Friday before a weekend holiday." I have it in my contract that if a holiday were to fall on a weekend, I would be taking off the Friday before. I also am taking my 2nd week of vacation that week after Christmas. I always take that week off as both of my children AND my DH all have December birthdays and I NEED A BREAK!

[laundrymom]

I'm taking off Monday.

[Pammie]

I'm taking off Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26 and I'm also taking off Friday, December 30 and Monday, January 2.

My families all got notice of these dates back in April, so they've had ample time to make other arrangements. They'll receive a reminder in my September newsletter and again in my November and December newsletters.

There's always some family every year that asks me to work on at least one of my holiday days off - but I'm really good at saying "no"

[nannyde]

We are taking the last two weeks of December off.

[Cat Herder]

I am taking the 26th-30th as a family vacation.

I gave notice back in January.

[Crazy8]

I'm like you, I have the same terms in my contract but rarely ever use it (only when its a given that everyone has off).

I hate when Christmas and New Years falls on the weekend!!! I feel like I end up jipped out of 4 of my 9 yearly paid holidays. I am not sure what I'll do this year. On a personal level I think I'd rather have the day after xmas than the day before xmas eve. I have a lot of families who get the whole week between xmas and new years off but they still bring their kids - I don't think taking the monday will affect too many families for me.

[rjskids]

Right now on my calendar I marked the Friday and Monday as paid days off and then I'm taking Tuesday as an unpaid day off. My daughter AND husband are both off during this time so I feel I not only need a break myself but I also need to give them a break from daycare. But my guilty conscience will probably get the best of me and I can see me telling parents that I will take Monday as an unpaid day just cause I'll feel bad. How do we stop this?! I've already changed the FIRST day I ever planned on taking off cause one family had a conflict...so I cancelled my plans I need to put on a thicker skin and have a stronger back bone!

[MommyMuffin]

I am taking December 26th off.

[DCMom]

I am taking Dec 23 thru Jan 2 off in a combination of paid holidays and remaining vacation days. I give them the schedule of days off for the year in January, so they have plenty of time to make other arrangements.

[Cat Herder]

cause I'll feel bad. How do we stop this?! I've already changed the FIRST day I ever planned on taking off cause one family had a conflict...so I cancelled my plans I need to put on a thicker skin and have a stronger back bone!

Easy.... by realizing you ARE choosing work over family.

Set your priorities and stick to them.... Guilt free.

[mismatchedsocks]

I am not taking any time off for Christmas. I dont have many families that come that week, and gives me time to get the house set back up after taking tree down, with only a few kids. When I take time off I dont get paid, so if they take time off that week, I will get paid anyway!

I use my vacation time in the summer when we can be outside, or go somewhere fun. I dislike winter so we would be inside anyway!

[AnythingsPossible]

I will be closed for the whole week after christmas. I would only have 2 in care, so I would rather close and spend the time with my family.

[SilverSabre25]

I'm taking December 26th off. I don't care about Xmas Eve, but I definitely like having the 26th off. More time to clean up the wrapping paper, .

[flightlessbird11]

I'm taking the 22nd-the 1st of January off. Family time!