I take two weeks in the summer and the week of Christmas/New years. I used to give my parents one weeks vacation free but then they wanted to use those days for their kids sick days so I nixed that. Most parents kind of begrudge our time off because they have to find alternate care and find it a hassle. When parents ask who is my vacation back up I just say whom ever you can find. I give at the very least 4 months notice for my time off.