Originally Posted by Ariana:
It sounds like you may need to come up with a new way of doing business. I have only part-time kids and I make around $2000 a month (if you factor in that I'm not paying for childcare for my daughter). They pay when they're sick and they pay when they take vacations. They also have to sign an agreementfor specific days they need care and pay for those day whether they're here or not. Without these rules I'd be broke too 
I'm so sorry you're going trough this but you can turn it around!!
I agree. It may be time to make some changes.
You can tell them "A minimum of two days per week even if the child isn't here".
I'd be flexible on what two days though. I'd even be willing to make it four days one week, and no days the next week. As long as they pay, I'll accommodate them.
But, you need to have an income. There's nothing wrong with doing that in this economy.
I'd still try to find more reliable families to make this job more worth while. It's a great job, but you can't enjoy doing it if you are stressed and feeling taken advantage of.