The reality is she will only really be pulling her for 6 days if she is part time by then so I don't feel that money will be as big an issue as she is making it out to be. I would probably charge her for the two weeks she is pulling because there is no reason for her to keep child out but then over Christmas I do tend to be more lenient because I would rather have the parents keep the kids home and not get paid but have time with my own family than have their kid to deal with just because they want to get their money's worth and send the kid cause they are paying. Remind her that money is tight for you too since she is suddenly pulling half the fee for the space so quote how much you will lose by end of Dec and therefore there it really is equal in that you are both suffering. Parents rarely realize that their fee is our paycheck and just like she is getting no paycheck it means you are getting no paycheck either.

Have you advertised for another part time child to fill the balance of the week?