2 on mat leave at the same time!

[apples and bananas]

I took on 2 - one year olds in April. It was hard to transition 2 at the same time. And I swore I'd never do it again. One of their mom's is pregnant and going on mat leave later this year. I knew this when I took them on. She intended to pull him during her mat leave, however, now she's changed her mind and wants to keep him in a few days a week and have a spot for baby 2 on her return. So, I finally got all of that figured out and she's agree'd to it.

Then out of no where mom number 2 comes to pick up yesturday and tells me she's pregnant too! She due 2 months later. And she wants to maintain the space and have a space for baby 2 when they return to work.

So now I'm going back to the drawing board to see how I accomodate that and still pay the bills. LOL

I just got to the point where I was really happy with my set up, money is good, kids get along and everything is working well. Then they all go and get pregnant!

I guess there's something to be said for being booked solid for the next 3 years.

[ECE53]

This happened to me before. Have them share the space each coming 2 or 3 days per week ( mine each came 2 days, I took the lighter load on Fridays) then fill your other spaces, tell them you will do your best to accommodate them ....... And then do your best and see what happens. I would never take a big loss in income to maybe have people return from mat leave..... People have really good intentions but in the end they always do what suits them at the time..... And a year is long way away....
Just my two cents...

[michellesmunchkins]

I can relate! It seems everyone in my group is doing the same thing. Must be something in the water lol

For the first family who told me their little one has been coming 2 days a week and I will have a spot for both him and baby #2 when their mat leave is over. They were only part timers so it wasn't too hard a hit on the income as of yet.

The second family who just had their baby is awesome, and I would do the same for them. Keep baby #1 for a couple days a week and take both when mat leave is over just because they are an awesome family. It is a hard hit on the income, but I find that in my neighbourhood everyone wants part time care so its easy enough to fill a part time spot. I have a hard time filling my full time spot.

And now...family #3 has just informed me that they are pregnant too. Would love to keep their little one too as she's a real sweetheart and the family is great too just not sure if I can afford to do it for 3 families...sigh...it is nice to know that I can keep these 3 awesome families for the next few years though

[apples and bananas]

I'm glad I'm not the only one. It's a hard balance sometimes. If I take on the one part time then don't have room for the second when it comes time, I loose both of them. Then what was the point of taking the part time for the year.

I also really like the families... and I hate transitioning new kids in. I prefer to just have the same families forever!

The first family was easy as I was able to fill the spot with a 3 year old for 1 year only. (he goes to school when the baby is set to join me)

but this second family is hard. I can do the 2 part times with a shared spot, bring in a newbie for a year to fill the last spot, but then I don't have a spot for baby 2 of family 2 unless I terminate my only before and after school.

And you're right, it is a long ways away. It's hard to guarentee anything that's over a year away.

It's my own need to please everyone that's getting in the way I think.

[Momof4]

Ooooh, I feel your pain with having to juggle spaces. I'm just in a tizzy right now because I have a boy here 3 days/week until Sept. when he goes to JK and then it's going to be until Feb. when his baby sister starts. It's going to be a very lean 5 months or so while the space is empty so I'm going to ask the family to pay $200/month to save the space. But that still leaves me poor.

Then my other problem is that in Sept. my 4 year old girl goes to every other day because she starts JK so another income cut at the same time, crap. However, I have people writing to me asking about a full-time space. What do I do, ahhhhhhhhh!!!!???

[playfelt]

Is the 4 year old a sibling to another child in care? IF not this would be the time to ask her parents to move her to a school based program or to a caregiver that also services her school and fill your space with a new full time child to help through the next few months.

I don't actually save a space anymore but if I have someone leaving within two months of the needed date will pencil the baby in for that spot - it is worth it to me not to waste time having to interview.

[Momof4]

Is the 4 year old a sibling to another child in care? IF not this would be the time to ask her parents to move her to a school based program or to a caregiver that also services her school and fill your space with a new full time child to help through the next few months.

I don't actually save a space anymore but if I have someone leaving within two months of the needed date will pencil the baby in for that spot - it is worth it to me not to waste time having to interview.

Did you mean me playfelt? I know I have to talk to the 4 year old's Mom about what is happening with the b/a care days, but I'm pretty sure I know why they want to continue here every other full day when she isn't in school. It's because they have been with me for over 3 years and this girl started as a screamer baby while her Mom was still on mat leave. I'm the one who suffered for 7 months while this baby screamed 9 hours a day and the Mom used every single minute because she didn't know how to handle her baby. She doesn't say the words but I know she really appreciates everything I've done and this little girl tells me she loves me daily. How do I look at this little girl who caused me so much trouble as a baby but has become the best behaved child ever and tell her she can't come here any more? It's heartbreaking!

As far as saving my other space for a new baby sister I'm taking the income hit for 5 months but this family has already been here for over 3 years and once the new baby starts they will be here for another 3 years+ so it's worth it to me to keep a wonderful family.

Sorry to hijack your thread Apples, I'll stop now, but hopefully some of what I'm going through will help you too. I hope you have everything figured out now. I have to make my decision very soon.

[mom-in-alberta]

*Sigh*... such is the challenge with taking in those one year old (first) children. Almost without fail, you are told about a new pregnancy within a year or so. LoL
Ultimately, you need to do what you have to do for your business. Just a reminder. They will be thinking about their family (as they should be) so you should take care of yours. Don`t save spaces without any payment just on faith that they will be back. Work out some kind of arrangement that ensures you won`t be totally screwed if they do the math and change their mind.

[apples and bananas]

I've set up a holding fee for both kids that are currently in care. They are going to come 2 days a week (share a spot) and the income from both will be the equivilant of one spot. I also lucked out and found a 3 yr old that needs care for one year until JK starts. Woo Hoo! So, no loss of income.

And when they both return, 2 months apart in 2013, I will have the space for them but I will then have 5 full time kids! UGH! More then i like to have, but I'm hoping by then I'll be really good at this and be able to manage it well. LOL

Thanks for sharing your stories and advise

[Momof4]

Yay, I'm so glad you worked it out apples!