Parents having the day off

[gravy_train]

When I opened my daycare I assumed that If parents had the day off they would keep their kids home, that if they were off work early they would pick their kids up, etc. it has taken me a year but I have finally started to let that expectation go and realize that if I want or need a day off I need to just take it for myself. Sometimes I spend it with my own kids and sometimes I plan on getting a sitter for them. The thing that really irks me is that Most of my kids are here for 9 to 9.5 hours - they all get dropped off the second I unlock my door (they are usually waiting in their cars outside) even when the parents have a day off. I get that it's easier to grocery shop or whatever without your kids but how will they ever know how to behave in those situations if parents don't teach them?

[Blackcat3168]

I don't think anyone is actually telling parents HOW to spend their days off, they are just venting some feelings Every job has pros and cons and it's okay to vent about the cons that we experience. Most of us don't have coworkers and I know I like to think of you all as online coworkers and I like discussing things. Just like every parent parents differently, we all provide dc services differently. If I have to close or close early I do actually feel that I owe the parents an explanation and I give them one.

I don't think I was implying that anyone was telling parents how to spend their days. ???

I was stating MY opinion about how I operate.

I am also fully aware that all jobs have pros and cons. Again, I never said or implied that it is or isn't ok to vent about feelings.

I'm not understanding how my post/words were taken as anything but MY opinion???

[5 Little Monkeys]

I can honestly say that for me, it is not about jealousy at all. I own my own business and can take holidays or days off when I want. I am not jealous that a parent has a day off.

I do however feel bad for the child. I feel sad that the parent doesn't want to spend time with their child. I get that parents want time off too and once in awhile it is healthy to do something without your child. However, I have a couple of mom's right now that have plenty of time off and NEVER keep their child home. But they pay me for a service and I provide it. Doesn't mean that I am going to like everything about my job every single day Every job I have ever held had pros and cons. Fortunately, owning my own business has more pros than cons and that is why I do what I do.

[littlemoon]

Hello,

I think it's fine. If parents are paying for a child care service, than they are entitled to drop their kids off at daycare. It's their decision what they do with their time, whether its going to work, relaxing at home, or running errands.

[MonkeyPrincess]

I know the parents are still paying for the day, but personally, it still rubs me the wrong way knowing that they have a day off yet still send their kid to daycare all day. I figure parents would want to spend the extra one on one time with their kids but that's just me. At the same time, i am home ALL DAY, night and weekends with my own kids, and i know how much i look forward to Saturdays when my kids go to Grandma's and i get a few hours to myself. I can see it both ways.

Maybe i am a little envious knowing that the parents can take time off because they get sick days/ vacation days and get paid for it. I don't get paid for sick days/vacation as per my contract, but it's not a biggie. When i need time off, i take it.

I made it clear to my only early arrival parents that if they have a day off and plan to send the child, to be courteous and drop off the child a little later so i can sleep in. I don't want to be up at 6am if i don't have to, and your child certainly doesn't have to be here at 6.30 if you are home.

[2cuteboys]

I get it. We did the same when our first was in care - my husband works shift so when he woke up on his day off it was usually around noon. Half of the time he'd take nap time to mow the lawn, get groceries, run errands, etc. and pick him up at 3.

Having that said, we weren't drop off at open, pick up at close type of people anyway, and we never argued or complained about payment when we needed to get him early, when she was closed and what not. If I had a family off for 3 weeks and brought their kid every day or their kid was the first or last there like the others mentioned, it would get annoying.

[pink]

It drives me nut too! Taking a week off and bringing your child the whole week is very strange. Going home first changing and then picking up your child. I have a the moment 2 very flexible families, one not. God forbide they spend time with their child. When, you need to take time off everything is questioned grrr

[mickyc]

I don't mind if their child is here but to be the first to drop off and the last to pick up really gets me! Ya know it would be nice once in awhile if the parents would come pick up early to give me an easier afternoon or maybe just maybe to be done early once in awhile.

[nschildcare]

It used to bother me, as well, but not anymore. Yes, some days I wonder why they don't keep them home, and the one in particular is my first/last here, but my kids are sweethearts and by coming every day it keeps them in my routine.

[bright sparks]

I think most take a day off and are at appointments, running errands and doing things around the house that they can accomplished much more efficiently without their kids around. A week off work and dropping off right at opening and picking up right at closing time is just sad. If I know a parent is off for the week I make a point of asking them to do a shorter day. Of course they don't have to but usually do out of guilt lol

Since September I now only work M-Th. I am out the door at 8 most Fridays and don't get in till 5. I get more downtime during my week when the babies are napping than I do on that day but people still comment on me only working a 4 day week forgetting that a daycare providers workday is longer than most peoples averaged day. I still work a 40 hour week.