HI

I like how you approached the parents to do paid holidays instead of an increase!! Something I will definitely do when I must increase rates. I will also include it in my contract for all new families.

Currently I take stats as paid days. All regular days I am closed are unpaid. Now I budget a monthly amount so I take off 2 weeks (10 days) a year.

I hit burn out this year!! Been running my day home for 8 years. I took 1 - 2 weeks off each year including sick days and appointments. I also had 2 of my children during this time and closed a total of 3 weeks for there births. That was tough but you do what you have to, to pay the bills. Defiantly a good idea to include 10 days vacation to avoid burn out!! I do usually tell my day home parents days I plan to take off during the year in January so they too can book there holidays if they want around mine.