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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Do You Ever Fake It?
Soupyszoo 06:10 AM 03-30-2012
Has anyone ever faked being sick and closed for a day or two just to get a break??
I'm not going to lie... The thought has crossed my mind, but I've never actually done it. I get too paranoid about karma and stuff! Like saying, "sorry dcfs, DD is sick so I have to close." then next thing you know she actually does get sick.
Just wondering if anyone else has actually gone through with it
I'm not going to lie... The thought has crossed my mind, but I've never actually done it. I get too paranoid about karma and stuff! Like saying, "sorry dcfs, DD is sick so I have to close." then next thing you know she actually does get sick.
Just wondering if anyone else has actually gone through with it
SunshineMama 06:15 AM 03-30-2012
Originally Posted by Soupyszoo:
Has anyone ever faked being sick and closed for a day or two just to get a break??
I'm not going to lie... The thought has crossed my mind, but I've never actually done it. I get too paranoid about karma and stuff! Like saying, "sorry dcfs, DD is sick so I have to close." then next thing you know she actually does get sick.
Just wondering if anyone else has actually gone through with it
I was hung-over once (yes... tisk tisk tisk) and I had such a bad headache that I called off.Has anyone ever faked being sick and closed for a day or two just to get a break??
I'm not going to lie... The thought has crossed my mind, but I've never actually done it. I get too paranoid about karma and stuff! Like saying, "sorry dcfs, DD is sick so I have to close." then next thing you know she actually does get sick.
Just wondering if anyone else has actually gone through with it
That was the shadiest I have ever done- but hey- I was legitimately sick
I have closed 2 times in the past year, so I would not do that just because I would need to save that time off; dont want to close too many times.
But to answer your question honestly (if I didnt have to use any days before): Yes. I don't have "personal" days, and I feel that we all need a mental health day now and then. There is not a single one of my dcp' who have NOT taken time off from work, brought their kid to me, and took several mental health days for themselves. I am human and I deserve to as well.
When I would do sick days when I worked at the office I NEVER used my kids as an excuse, just for karma's sake. It was always me being sick.
nannyde 06:18 AM 03-30-2012
Naw
I haven't missed a day of work in 17 years... almost 18
I haven't missed a day of work in 17 years... almost 18
Zoe 06:23 AM 03-30-2012
The thought has crossed my mind, but I haven't done it just because I don't want to inconvenience the parents (I have great ones though, if they weren't so great....
).
If you feel you really do need a day off, then take a personal day! Give the parents an adequate amount of notice and just do it. You don't even need to tell them why. Just say you're taking a personal day.
This topic has come up before and it was very heated as I recall. But either way people respond, I say that there is nothing wrong with admitting you need some time and honestly taking it.
Go for it!
).If you feel you really do need a day off, then take a personal day! Give the parents an adequate amount of notice and just do it. You don't even need to tell them why. Just say you're taking a personal day.
This topic has come up before and it was very heated as I recall. But either way people respond, I say that there is nothing wrong with admitting you need some time and honestly taking it.
Go for it!
Unregistered 06:26 AM 03-30-2012
Haven't taken a sick day in 17 years of being in business. Did have a family emergency once and had to close for 2 days, but that's it! I pride myself in being reliable and I work through everything. I do get 15 days of paid vacation a year though in addition to my paid holidays.
I have worked through everything, even when my own kids are sick. I always tell the parents, but no one seems to mind having them here being as they were most often the ones that brought it in!
I have worked through everything, even when my own kids are sick. I always tell the parents, but no one seems to mind having them here being as they were most often the ones that brought it in!
kathiemarie 09:02 AM 03-30-2012
Don't lie. Just take a personal day. Be up front about it. You'll feel better and be able to enjoy the day.
Ariana 09:13 AM 03-30-2012
No I haven't. When I need a sick day I'm pretty sick. I just took one 2 days ago because of a bad head cold and a fever.
Mary Poppins 09:15 AM 03-30-2012
Is being sick of a particular dck a technicality? Before I termed my last one I considered taking a day off or three from HER, but I 
the other kids too much and would've missed them so I didn't.
the other kids too much and would've missed them so I didn't.
lil angels 09:29 AM 03-30-2012
I have thought about it but never have. My neighbor does daycare and she goes drincking and calls her parents. Oh I have to take a sick day. I don't agree with it.
Sugar Magnolia 09:36 AM 03-30-2012
Originally Posted by nannyde:
Naw
I haven't missed a day of work in 17 years... almost 18
Ditto this. Six years. Screened and trained subs are very expensive. And so are mad parents.Naw
I haven't missed a day of work in 17 years... almost 18
GrannyJ 09:38 AM 03-30-2012
I would feel so guilty that I wouldn't be able to enjoy the day! I say give them notice and take a personal day. Do something for yourself, we all need that once in a while and I know all our parents do it all the time so why can't we?
Heidi 10:58 AM 03-30-2012
well, the last time I took a sick day, I was really sick the night before. I had chills, fever, etc. It had been progressing all afternoon, but I made it through the day (yeah naptime), and warned my dc parents for the next day.
At about 8pm I decided to call off dc for the following day. I slept in a little, and when I woke up at 8:30, I was fine. So I got a LOT of work done, and since it was Friday, had a nice work-free weekend.
I felt guilty, but only a little. I wasn't going to call of a sick day after it'd already started.
BTW: When I read "do you ever fake it?" I thought this was and OFF subject post!
At about 8pm I decided to call off dc for the following day. I slept in a little, and when I woke up at 8:30, I was fine. So I got a LOT of work done, and since it was Friday, had a nice work-free weekend.
I felt guilty, but only a little. I wasn't going to call of a sick day after it'd already started.
BTW: When I read "do you ever fake it?" I thought this was and OFF subject post!
SimpleMom 11:11 AM 03-30-2012
I take the time off when I need it. I get 5 paid personal days and paid Holidays/ per yr (Most Fed. Holidays). Anyway, I am reliable as I give the parents' two weeks plus for personal days. I have had to call in sick for my kiddos and one day for myself--plus a half a day once (both times I was beyond sick). Been doing the out of my home for 6.5 yrs.
Personal time is good. Keeps everyone fresh. I just make sure parent's are aware that I have them and that they have adaquate back-up. I used to get my own Subs, but because, yes, good subs are very hard to find and then to have them trained and screened, etc. I no longer can afford it.
It works here. I wouldn't lie about a sick day though. But I have to admit I get a little envious when I hear parent's tell me they are doing just that and then drop their kids off with me
Personal time is good. Keeps everyone fresh. I just make sure parent's are aware that I have them and that they have adaquate back-up. I used to get my own Subs, but because, yes, good subs are very hard to find and then to have them trained and screened, etc. I no longer can afford it.
It works here. I wouldn't lie about a sick day though. But I have to admit I get a little envious when I hear parent's tell me they are doing just that and then drop their kids off with me
Meeko 11:13 AM 03-30-2012
I started day care when my 27 year old son was an infant. In all those years I have taken 3 days as sick leave due to a hospital stay.
dEHmom 11:18 AM 03-30-2012
in the years i've been doing daycare, I've only had 2 sick days. One was because mom thought she had food poisoning, but turned out to be flu!
The other was a few weeks ago, because I spent the day at the hospital. Thought I was dying, but turned out to be kidney stones.
I did get lucky one friday though, where on the thursday kids were sick, throwing up, diarrhea, so i sent one home, and the other 2 ended up sick too, so i got the friday off.
I don't think I'd FAKE being sick, not worth the lie. But If you needed to take a day last minute for doctor appointment or something, that's understandable. If it were just 1 daycare family, it would be alot easier to just phone and say sorry, gotta close today. But with multiple families, that would be tough.
The other was a few weeks ago, because I spent the day at the hospital. Thought I was dying, but turned out to be kidney stones.
I did get lucky one friday though, where on the thursday kids were sick, throwing up, diarrhea, so i sent one home, and the other 2 ended up sick too, so i got the friday off.
I don't think I'd FAKE being sick, not worth the lie. But If you needed to take a day last minute for doctor appointment or something, that's understandable. If it were just 1 daycare family, it would be alot easier to just phone and say sorry, gotta close today. But with multiple families, that would be tough.
Jewels 11:20 AM 03-30-2012
I have never faked being sick, And I have called in sick once, and that was with the stomach flu, and pretty much everyone in the daycare had it and every parent got nailed with it also, I do not charge if I have to close due to illness, so to call in sick,, is very costly, where there are days where I miss the being able to "call in" from work, I would never do that, I also feel like kharma would pay me back for lying.
dEHmom 11:26 AM 03-30-2012
Originally Posted by Jewels:
I have never faked being sick, And I have called in sick once, and that was with the stomach flu, and pretty much everyone in the daycare had it and every parent got nailed with it also, I do not charge if I have to close due to illness, so to call in sick,, is very costly, where there are days where I miss the being able to "call in" from work, I would never do that, I also feel like kharma would pay me back for lying.
exactly! last time i was sick, it cost me twice my daily pay (had to credit the parents, AND pay a babysitter for my kids for 7 hours). I have never faked being sick, And I have called in sick once, and that was with the stomach flu, and pretty much everyone in the daycare had it and every parent got nailed with it also, I do not charge if I have to close due to illness, so to call in sick,, is very costly, where there are days where I miss the being able to "call in" from work, I would never do that, I also feel like kharma would pay me back for lying.
And Kharma always got me when I called in from my last job, because sure enough the next shift one of my kids was sick, and then the next day the other one was , then the 3rd one was.
Soupyszoo 11:49 AM 03-30-2012
That's the way I look at it too.
First I would be lying. Not a fan.
Second I like what I do! I wouldn't say I really "miss" anyone on the weekends but I like it when they're here most of the time.
Third karma's a bitch... Also not a fan
And lastly that I can think of right now... I don't charge if I close. So I would lose money.
Oh and I also don't like being unreliable.
It would be my luck I would "fake it" and the next week really need to close, and that just looks bad
First I would be lying. Not a fan.
Second I like what I do! I wouldn't say I really "miss" anyone on the weekends but I like it when they're here most of the time.
Third karma's a bitch... Also not a fan
And lastly that I can think of right now... I don't charge if I close. So I would lose money.
Oh and I also don't like being unreliable.
It would be my luck I would "fake it" and the next week really need to close, and that just looks bad
AmyLeigh 12:56 PM 03-30-2012
Oh I was tempted this week. I was summoned for jury duty on Wednesday, so let the families know. They all arranged for back-up just in case. I called Tuesday afternoon, and wouldn't ya know, I didn't have to go. Part of me thought....all I have to do is say I have to go and I could have the day off. Hmmmm sounded so good. But I am a horrible liar. No poker face whatsoever. They would know the instant they saw me the next day. 
I thought of taking it as a personal day, but since I have vacation coming up next month, I can hold off.
I thought of taking it as a personal day, but since I have vacation coming up next month, I can hold off.
Heidi 01:00 PM 03-30-2012
Originally Posted by AmyLeigh:
Oh I was tempted this week. I was summoned for jury duty on Wednesday, so let the families know. They all arranged for back-up just in case. I called Tuesday afternoon, and wouldn't ya know, I didn't have to go. Part of me thought....all I have to do is say I have to go and I could have the day off. Hmmmm sounded so good. But I am a horrible liar. No poker face whatsoever. They would know the instant they saw me the next day.
I thought of taking it as a personal day, but since I have vacation coming up next month, I can hold off.
Yeah, the sunburn from spending the day at the beach might have given it away!Oh I was tempted this week. I was summoned for jury duty on Wednesday, so let the families know. They all arranged for back-up just in case. I called Tuesday afternoon, and wouldn't ya know, I didn't have to go. Part of me thought....all I have to do is say I have to go and I could have the day off. Hmmmm sounded so good. But I am a horrible liar. No poker face whatsoever. They would know the instant they saw me the next day.
I thought of taking it as a personal day, but since I have vacation coming up next month, I can hold off.
AmyLeigh 01:09 PM 03-30-2012
Originally Posted by bbo:
Yeah, the sunburn from spending the day at the beach might have given it away!
Yeah, the sunburn from spending the day at the beach might have given it away!
Almost fell out of my chair on that one!
Scot-Irish skin + Beach = Sunburn everytime!
wdmmom 01:09 PM 03-30-2012
Interestingly enough, I have not.
Now before doing daycare, it was nothing for me to call in 'sick', sometimes I really was but more often not!! If I had to count the days I called in sick in the outside work world, probably around 20. Between 1997 - 2009.
I have asked parents to pick up early because I had a migraine...it was only a half hour from normal pick up time.
Now before doing daycare, it was nothing for me to call in 'sick', sometimes I really was but more often not!!
If I had to count the days I called in sick in the outside work world, probably around 20. Between 1997 - 2009.I have asked parents to pick up early because I had a migraine...it was only a half hour from normal pick up time.
KEG123 03:55 PM 03-31-2012
No I never have. Though when I was younger and worked at "regular jobs" I did every once in a while. Now I know that I would directly inconvenience my daycare families which I don't want to do. I always give as much notice as possible. Only day I've taken off is yesterday! (and I have been open nearly 1 year) and it was to take my son to a preschool screening.
Zoe 07:59 PM 03-31-2012
Originally Posted by wdmmom:
Interestingly enough, I have not.
Now before doing daycare, it was nothing for me to call in 'sick', sometimes I really was but more often not!! If I had to count the days I called in sick in the outside work world, probably around 20. Between 1997 - 2009.
I have asked parents to pick up early because I had a migraine...it was only a half hour from normal pick up time.
Interestingly enough, I have not.
Now before doing daycare, it was nothing for me to call in 'sick', sometimes I really was but more often not!!
If I had to count the days I called in sick in the outside work world, probably around 20. Between 1997 - 2009.I have asked parents to pick up early because I had a migraine...it was only a half hour from normal pick up time.
Originally Posted by KEG123:
No I never have. Though when I was younger and worked at "regular jobs" I did every once in a while. Now I know that I would directly inconvenience my daycare families which I don't want to do. I always give as much notice as possible. Only day I've taken off is yesterday! (and I have been open nearly 1 year) and it was to take my son to a preschool screening.
No I never have. Though when I was younger and worked at "regular jobs" I did every once in a while. Now I know that I would directly inconvenience my daycare families which I don't want to do. I always give as much notice as possible. Only day I've taken off is yesterday! (and I have been open nearly 1 year) and it was to take my son to a preschool screening.
I think a lot of faking and calling in sick has to do mostly with how much you hate your job! I know that doing what I did before doing daycare, oh man! I called in sick so much! It was so unprofessional but I just didn't care. I hated doing what I did. Now I'd never consider it. I have no need! The personal days help with burnout of course.
mema 08:33 PM 03-31-2012
I have not and would not-daycare wise anyway. I did in my previous job. Numerous times actually. I was rarely sick, but was sick of my boss and his so called "rules" and favortism. I figured since my children were rarely sick and I was rarely sick, I would take personal health days for my sanity. It was also for his well being-many times I could have strangled him or ran him over in the parking lot, so I figured it was better to call in then go to jail
(I wouldn't ever do anything to anyone, but man sometimes one can dream)
(I wouldn't ever do anything to anyone, but man sometimes one can dream)
My3cents 10:30 AM 04-02-2012
No-
If ever I am sick, I want to be able to take the time off needed and have my parents fully understand I am truly not well.
Not good business either. IF you need a day off, call it a personal day and have at it. My days like that are called weekends.
If ever I am sick, I want to be able to take the time off needed and have my parents fully understand I am truly not well.
Not good business either. IF you need a day off, call it a personal day and have at it. My days like that are called weekends.