Hello, I am hoping I can get an answer pretty quick on this since I am unsure what to do.

I was charging a family $32 per day for their then 1 year old, now the child is 2. I was desperate and needed the client badly. They paid for attendance only (if they cancel I don;t get paid) and this child takes at least 4 days of the month off.

All other clients pay $35 per day for days booked, whether they attend or not.

Due to high demand I have decided to tell this family that I have new rates (I do not have a contract with them) and told them $35 per day and payment for days booked. I had a couple clients before them that I was charging $32 and only per attendance and they didn't even think twice and accepted the changes.

This parent is making a big deal out of it, saying they had agreed to $32 in the beginning and weren't expecting the price to change, if any change it should be for less as child is older now. They also said when child gets sick, that's out of their control and shouldn't have to pay. Their child getting sick is also out of my control and it isn't fair for me to have an empty spot sitting because I am saving it for them and not get paid when I could have filled it because there is always someone that wants it.

Now, I really like this child and the parents and I have had disagreements in the past but they always pay on time.
Do any of you give sick days without pay per month? Also may I add I ask parents to book during the weekend days that are needed for the week. No one pays for time off it they book in advance. NO FEE.
I have a few interviews coming up for 1 spot that is becoming available and I know if I have 2 spots then maybe I can fill them.

Anyways what I am basically asking is what would you do? I am going to charge $35 per day, no bargain on that, I am going to ask for pay for days booked, no bargain on that either (sometime either parents just decides they will work from home some days and tell me in the morning they wont be bringing in child) but do any of you give for example 4 sick days per month free? do you recommend I go down this road? I really like the child but the fact that they don't understand where I am coming from regarding the whole pay in advance thing and this is how I make a living and don't think my services are worth a measly $3 more makes me a little upset.

oh by the way I give in the gta just outside Toronto, a few crazies in my area charge $30, a good handful charge $35 and some charge $40 per day for 2 year olds.