Hey all I really need some advise on how to handle a situation.

The mom of my full time 1 yr old girl who has only been with me for 3 months informed me last week that she was giving me her two weeks notice. Her contract was 1 year term with a summer agreement that held her spot for a minimum charge till september when she would return. The agreement also covers 2 weeks UNPAID vacation and 6 PAID sick days. My mother became ill with cancer and i have to leave next week to help her in England. I will be gone for 13 business days. I asked the parents for their permission 10 weeks ago and they o.k'd the time off.

At the end of a clients stay with me i apply their security deposit to their last two weeks if they haven't paid me already. My contract states - 10 days written notice must be given - in lieu of 10 days your 2 week security deposit will be used to cover the days and or be applied to outstanding charges.

They gave me 7 days notice stating it would have been 10 but it's my fault because i'm on vacation. Then the mom said if i knew you where going to make a big deal about it i would have told you sooner because I knew 5 days ago. (so she waited 5 days before giving me 10 days notice) Basically she yelled at me at my front door telling me that she wants me to refund her for 3 days. I also explained to her that she has been late 44 day (15 minutes or more) out of 68 days of care that I have (not yet) charged her for. $5 for every half hour. She turned and left. Today her 6'7" husband confronted me again at the front door after handing me his daughter. He threatened to take me to court, post horrible review about me everywhere - and when i said that my service to his daughter has been perfect he said he didn't care about that. he also said that he would have me and my business investigated for fraud! I'm so upset right now. I would love to give them a refund but then that just lets them walk all over me even though I'm not in the wrong - not only that but it would be like saying that their bullying and threatening confrontations at my front door - while children are present would be acceptable.

the requested amount is $159.
Their late fee charges amount to $220.