I have discussed this with them both at length. They asked me to humour them. I have no hard feelings toward them, but truthfully, the new baby takes A LOT of time from the other kids as I'm trying to get her acclimated on a part time schedule. Dropping days is just making it impossible to establish any sort of routine.

The dad ended his email with 'we'll be back in touch in a couple days', not 'she'll return next week'. My feeling is that they've come to the same conclusion as me.

I've written a term email, but saved it to my drafts. I'll await more feedback from all you trusty providers and will make my decision this afternoon. I'm quite certain I can fill the spot by Aug (when temp client leaves and baby was to go full time). The family that wanted to hire me on the spot may even still be looking. Ugh.....I just want to play with the kids, not make business decisions.