How to quit feeling guilty

[playfelt]

Availability is the one downside for parents that choose private homecare and it is up to them to be sure when they choose that option that it will work for them. With an agency they often can fine a back up provider for the family. With a daycare centre it is open all days. As far as feeling guilty I'm not sure it is something we ever get over because it is like breaking a promise - I promised to be here for the parents and a sick day means closing the shop and turning away customers and that just isn't good for business. Unfortunately it is necessary in our line of work. Having said that I have worked through most illnesses just to have the shop open so to speak. As for vacations parents have a certain number of days off work to take whenever they want to and we should have the same privilege. The guilt comes from knowing we don't "have" to have the day off. When I want to take a day which I rarely do I try to give as much notice as possible so parents have time to rearrange their schedules but that isn't always possible. At the same time if we worked outside the home and had a shift scheduled the day we wanted to do something would we actually lie and call in sick in order to go or would we just go to work and miss the activity. It is harder sometimes to take our own job seriously all the time but we have to weigh the fact parents take time off for personal stuff too and we deserve the same privilege. Enjoy your outing and know you are making yourself a more refreshed caregiver for when you return - that helps take away some of the guilt.

[Fun&care]

I can't say I feel as bad as some of you for simply taking a day off...yes sometimes there is guilt especially for those last minute closures, but at the end of the day me and my family come first. If parents absolutely can't take time off work ever then they should go to a center. I don't see why I should suffer for the sake of "convenience" for my dc families. Most of my families really like me and will work around my schedule to keep their spot. I take 4 weeks per year unpaid plus paid stats. And yes I use all 4 weeks. Any less than that and I think I would burn out. Any parent with a head on their shoulders will respect a providers need for time off knowing that everyone needs a break, and knowing that as daycare providers we work HARD, and that our job is exhausting.