MY husband books his 2 week holidays in the summer seperately, because he is not allowed to overlap with the other guys at work.

So I book my holidays the same as his.

I have one DC family that is going on their holidays at the end of July till the 2nd week of August.

They told me this a month ago. My hubby cant get those days off.
I have one week booked off mid july and one week off at the end of august.

They are mad that I cant take the same days off as them.

They dont have anyone too look after their kids that long.

So what am I supposed to do? Stay at home for them?

All of my other families are ok with my holidays.

What would you tell them?

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I can understand their frustration and I can empathize with them, however they should be able to understand that you need time with your family as well.

Take your vacation with DH. Be prepared to lose that family, but honestly, I would not want to work with a family who didnt respect my need for family time too. 2 months is plenty of time for them to find alternative arrangements..

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Do you not have something concerning this in your contract? I put that parents are always required to have a plan B regarding childcare and it is up to them to provide alternative care when my vacation and holidays come around. I have had parents ask if I can watch kids on my vacation time. I always say no and then forget about it. Only you can allow their comments to ruin your own vacation. Just take the days and they will have to plan accordingly. Do not even apologize, you aren't doing anything wrong.

I do provide a list of local providers that accept temp. kids but it is up to the parents to arrange that themselves.

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I would just say sorry but this is how it's gonna work I totally understand that they may not have care so why don't they rearrange THEIR holiday to coincide with yours?

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Because they already booked the time off from their work, and they cant switch it.

I tried to take the same days but hubby's work said no.

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You have given them more than ample time. Not your fault they can't switch. This is what back up care is for.

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I can tend to be passive-agressive, but when something like this comes up, I'll say things like "Oh no! What are you going to do? Can your mom come and stay with you? Can you use sick days? Oh my, I hope your boss isn't too upset! Too bad you've already used up your personal days!"

But yes, I know, that's just evil

Don't even give that family a second thought. Don't worry about how they're going to find care for THEIR child, and enjoy your vacation!!

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Here's what I would have said:

"Hi Sally, I was thinking about our discussion about how your vacation doesn't coincide along with everyone else's here at daycare. As you are already well aware, I schedule the daycare's closing dates based on my husbands approved vacation. Once he is given his approved vacation time I then notify the other daycare families. They in turn choose to either request to take the same vacation time off or find alternate childcare for the time that the daycare is closed. This is the way that it has always worked. Here is a list of other daycare providers in this area that you can call that may be able to provide temporary back-up childcare."

Because this situation happens occasionally I call other daycare homes that are close to me and introduce myself and ask them whether or not they would be willing to offer temporary back-up childcare if they have the space, for the days that I am closed. Usually most are willing (who wants to say no to more money if you room right) so I already have a list ready to hand out when it's time for my vacations.

If you require that your vacation time be paid be prepared for the "But I can't afford to pay you and another daycare" talk. This is a completely different conversation.

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Too bad for them. Geez - they have 3 months to find a back-up, is it that impossible?

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Exactly! My point being that they can't switch and neither can you. Unfortunately that is someting you have to deal with when your kids are in home daycare. Many parents choose centre care for this very reason. No time off and no vacation days off. Always a supply to fill in.

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I would NEVER even consider coinciding my vacation times with any of my dayacre families - even if I knew the majority of families were taking the same week off ... I already compromise enough to make my daycare families happy - that is just asking way too much.

And a parent having the audacity to tell me that MY vacation time doesn't work for them??? Too bad, so sad.

My families know upon enrollment that I take 2 vacation weeks off with pay each year (give schedule out in January) - I recommend they either use their own vacation time or ensure they have alternative care options. I did my job - NOW DO YOURS, PARENTS!

Some parents can be more immature and needy than their children!

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bump. Have a policy book and stick with it. I take two weeks of paid vacation and I have to pick these weeks according to what my husband can get for vacation weeks- he has to pick what weeks are available and everyone picks on a cycle of turns. We never know when our vacation weeks are going to be until the pick. We can hope but its done on fair rotating system. My parents have plenty of time to plan for our vacations and they all understand that I need family time too- I also need a steady income to be able to continue to do what I do.

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I have never had anyone tell me that my time off doesn't work for them or interferes. If they did, I'd gladly offer to stay home if they wanted to reimburse me what I've already put into my trip. So far, about $1900 in the deposit, tires, clothes and shoes, etc. And tell them they have to pay for all spots in the daycare since their child will be the only one coming.

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I'm in a horrible mood so I hope I don't offend anyone. Don't worry about your DC family. I think it is increadible rude that they would even think about asking you to take your vacation when they are on theres. If you like me I have not closed DC for illness in over 2 years. I haven't closed for personal reasons and have found a sub for any dc appointments. If one of my families ever gave me crud about my unpaid vacation(typically a Friday and Monday twice a year) I'd be pissed. I doubt any other DC would accomidate this family with taking there vaction when they take theres. They need a NANNY.

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You tried. That is the best you can do. Now, they need to be parents and make arrangements. There are nannies, back up sitters, high school/college kids, and centers that are all available. When they say they "can't" find care, it means they don't want to. I could call ONE center and have a week's care for my kids. I could call Monday Morning Moms and have a temp dayhome today. I could put an ad at the local college and have a slew of interviews for sitters this weekend. It doesn't take a lot of effort.

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Well, why can't they take the same days off as you? I love how some families expect you to revolve your life around them! I have one mom who will try to co-ordinate our holidays together, but she understands sometimes thta just doesn't happen.

Tell them that you have to take the opportunity that presents yourself. They have 3 months to find suitable alternate care. Ask them if there is anyway they can switch their vacation to match yours because there is no way you can change yours. Personally, I'm done feeling bad, and you should be to!

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I am only going to be gone for the 5 days they need me. I dont think thats such a big deal.

And It's not like they have to pay me AND someone else. I dont get paid when their kids dont come.

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"Hey Dcf sorry that you were unable to book off the same holidays as ME, maybe it will work out better next year."

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