The family I SHOULD have terminated!

[Inspired by Reggio]

Wow ~ ya I do not offer clients any 'unpaid time off' either ~ as others mentioned it is too hard to budget if people will take them all or some, when they will take them and if they take them all at ONCE the hit to income would suck for sure and well it just honestly opens the door to more conflict around being 'short changed' on fee payments cause they took a day off and wanted to use their vacation for it and so forth ~ IMO just easiest to do the 'you pay for the space' concept with a consistent fee!

However if I DID offer this it would definitely have to be in writing with at least 30 days notice given so that I could budget for it ~ springing it on you on payday 'oh btw we are off the next 3 weeks so I will not be paying you' .... ummm NOPE that is so not cool nor fair!

[kidlove]

have had similar things happen to me also. thats when I look back at my contracts and change things if need be. I think the 2 weeks vaca is just another needle in the hay stack with these people. It really sounds like she had a taste of saving money from the first kid leaving your care and shes addicted. Now she is biding her time until summer is over, who knows she may be usung these 3 weeks to find alternate free care i.e. family members and friends for the rest of the summer, then at the end of the three weeks she might not plan to come back. who knows...you put your best in people and they sometimes dont do the same. I would consider looking/advertising to fill the spot and that way when she comes to you in 3 weeks with her news of not returning, you can inform her you had a feeling that was going to happen so you went ahead and filled the position. Its never the kids that are the problem, its the parents!!!