Oh this one is easy! This "new" parent just needs to understand this is the way you work. Consider this: IF you took her child for even a few of the days you intend to take for the holidays, she will expect the same come next year. Don't do it! The fact that you are not expecting any pay and the fact that the Holidays are a VERY important time to spend with family should be respected by her. She WILL get over it, she is juts new to the daycare thing and new to you...just tell her this is the way you do it and thats all there is to it!

I do the same thing, if Christmas falls on a wed. I will take tuesday off also (Christmas eve) all the way through the day after the first of the year. Sometimes that can be as much as 2 weeks, but I have also done this for almost 10 years anyone who has been with me over the years knows that is the way it works...I also inform them at sign on of my times off. It is really just about the only time I take off besides the typically one day here and there for memorial day, fourth of july, and such...usually take long weekends if possible for such holidays as Easter and Thanksgiving...never charge for those days off though. Take your time you intended and enjoy your family, that's what the Holidays are for. Don't forget, that is part of the reason for being "self employed" We are the boss of ourselves not the parents. They will be just fine without you, and it sets a precidence for what you expect and how you run your business.