I take 2 weeks off in the summer unpaid and am off at Christmas but it's always been paid so far because I technically am open but have no children come. I'm not sure if that will be the case this year so I will probably take a few days off unpaid this time. I take paid stats off but it's $10 less than regular fee.

You have worked in this field a long time and deserve to take more time off! If you want too and can afford too of course