I agree with kiddiecahoots. It's not usually about having one less kid as much as it's about a tiny bit of $ and "me" time taking priority over their child. I also used to not charge when clients weren't here and had the same results. I also find that these parents that always bring their child when they have the day off are the biggest complainers when I need a day off (the excuse of "I don't have any more time off" is often used) and I don't charge when I close except paid holidays and 5 extra days a year.
Grandparents, friends, uncles, aunts would come to town or have a day off so the parents wouldn't send their children as family or friends were willing to take them for the day. I started to be more of a back up provider for when they weren't able to find anyone else. When I did things that way it was a rare day that I had everyone in attendance and I couldn't pay the bills. It was worse around the holidays and in the summer because of vacations and parents trying to save money. I remember one week I was expecting full tuition for 6 children and every single one of them took the week off and I had no paycheck. Then there was another time that a parent doped and dropped and gave everyone the flu during December and the next week the only child I had was the one who had brought the flu..I couldn't afford Christmas.
If I had an unlimited amount of "whistles" to sell I might do things differently but my shop is only allowed to have 12 on hand at one time. If I didn't treat this as a business and didn't use the money to pay bills I also might do things differently. My parents gladly pay for the days I require because they know my shop would be forced to close if they didn't.

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