I send home my vacation schedule for the entire year, usually in March, this year I was a bit late as I was waiting for my husband to pick his time for work so we could at least spend some time together. I feel that this is super important as we run a business in our homes and it's always so noisey, busy etc. and our spouses are always there to support us. We are only taking one week together with a few days at other times. I've been doing daycare for 28+ years and take a total of 5 weeks and one day off and I do provide alternate care for approx. 5 of these days. Parents are always trying to make me feel guilty for taking time off with my family and I am stumped for a "good" response to them doing this. I always get, oh how many days are you taking this year (with emphasis on the "this) and how many days are you providing alternate care (which I really am not required to) etc. Do any of you dcp have this happen to you and how do you respond. I don't have any sick days, have never used a sick day (if I was doing it all over again, believe me I would) and I get grief every year when choosing my vacation time off.