How fiercely do you hang onto your day off?!

[smurfette]

So I have finally managed to wangle a day off (Friday) after cutting down gradually the last few months. Now it works as I have one Lo Monday to Wednesday, one Monday to Thursday and one tues to thurs with a Lo ad hoc on days I can fit her in. Mum of mon to wed Lo came to me last week and asked if I would have a Thursday space in Jan which I will . Yesterday she came and said what was my day off as she wants to apply for a job which will be tues to Friday! I ended up saying sure go for it and we will see what we can work out (forgot the mantra of I will think about it and get back to you!) she is a social worker and there will be a panel so I am guessing if she gets the job it might not come up for a while.
Mum of the mon to thurs one will probably have to go back to five days in Jan so was hoping to maintain my day off at least that long, and I won't take on anyone who needs a Friday unless I need to do it for one of my existing parents

I know she may not get it but I am a bit put out don't really want to lose my day off! There is a possibility that the mon to thurs mum might be able to switch her day off so I can have Mondays off which would be ok too (not as good as Friday but a start!) so I am not going to get in a knot about it but it got me thinking how do you protect your day off?! I don't want to lose the child whose mum is applying for new job as he was very unsettled and has just now settled in beautifully (and mum says she wouldn't move him but of course she would if I couldn't do the days she needs!) plus he is one of my two main earners. Area is busy so prob could fill the space though . Sigh

[Mummits]

I gave up my Friday off towards the end of last year and have really regretted it. You don't realise how many odds and ends get fitted into that day until you don't have it to play with. I am getting it back from September after some juggling and won't be offering it again (well maybe the odd ad hoc day for a big favour but certainly not regularly). I wouldn't be too bothered about swapping my day off for a Monday though. It really depends what you want to do with the time, but in my case it's mainly catching up with housework and shopping, so it doesn't make much difference. In fact if you do want to go out, there's something to be said for going out on a Monday when the traffic and shops etc are quieter.

[tess1981]

I have managed to get Wednesday off for July and August and I will protect it with my life lol one mum used to send her child Mon Tues wed gradually went to Thurs Instead of wed. Another mum I'd Tues and Friday sometimes Thurs. One lo is Fri only. Then I had a lady ask me to keep her kids that I was only meant to have for 5 weeks. I thought about and said I would agree if she got her mum who used to mind them to keep them on a wed in July and August at 5 full days during the summer was very tough going and as I was not meant to have her kids in long term I was planning having wed off for my own kids and she agreed :)

[loocyloo]

I wanted Fridays off ... But first mindees ended up needing a Friday so I have Mondays off!
I don't give up my Monday for anything! I might do the odd Monday as a favour or interviews or settling, but I couldn't go back to 5 days a week. Parents who want to come to me work round it and find other care if needed for a Monday.
Good luck x

[mrsb79]

Hi I think if there's the opportunity to switch days off that's not too bad. I technically never get a day off but I manage to get 6 hrs during school days and I too have 6 hrs off this Friday and have planned to drop the schoolies off and not return home until I've picked them back up again

[smurfette]

Thanks all.. If I can wangle the Mondays instead that would be ok, other mum who has Fridays off at mo (only little one who does Mondays apart from one with mum looking at new job) said maybe she could change it but she isn't too keen.. I guess if I said I couldn't do Mondays she would have to, or she might leave. I don't mind really which day it is my girls have swimming on Mondays but we could change that,, I mostly catch up on myself and maybe meet someone for coffee and then I might arrange play dates for my girls so swimming is no good but that's not in stone. Thanks for the views.. Kinda hope she doesn't get the job!! (Mean I know!)

[bunyip]

If you really want to hang onto your Friday off, the only thing to do is to call mum asap and tell her you've had 2nd thoughts. Better done sooner rather than later before she goes too far down the job application road. You're acting entirely reasonably in any case.

I find my whole routine and working pattern changes quite often. I used to have all day Wednesdays off. Now it's Tuesday mornings, but even that is now succumbing to a string of settling in visits. That'll change again in September with the new school year (and what appears to be a mini-baby-boom: I've 3 of them lined up :p) and then we see how we fit in with toddler groups, library activities, CM group meetings, etc. It's "all change" all the time. It would probably help if I knew what day it was at any one time. I pick up from preschool every day at the moment: a different combination of lo's every day. I thought of attaching a list to the pushchair, but found the simplest way is to let all other the parents get theirs first and then I take home whoever is left if they look at all familiar. :D

[AliceK]

I just wish I had a day off :(

xxx

[Mouse]

I've had Fridays off for a couple of years now and wouldn't take anyone on who wanted a Friday. I advertise my working hours as Monday-Thursday, so it's quite clear.

I did have one mum wanted to come to me, but needed a Friday. I said no, so she went back to her boss and said she couldn't work a Friday...her boss let her work Mon-Thur instead, so it worked out well. I find that if you stand your ground, parents can usually work something out.

Although I won't take anyone on for a Friday, I will work the odd Friday for current families. It doesn't happen very often, but if granny is away, for example, I will work the Friday. Families are very aware though that Friday is housework day and that their child will either have to play quietly while I get on with my jobs, or help :D

[kellib]

I have Fridays off and I won't give that up for anyone. I make it quite clear from the start that I don't do Fridays and if parents need Fridays then it's obvious I'm not the childminder for them.

[Ripeberry]

I have Fridays off. It used to be Mondays and before that was a Wednesday. Messes up appointments for dentist though when parents keep changing their work days. This time I'm sticking with Fridays! I'll even turn away new work and tell existing parents that I cannot do it!

[mrs robbie williams]

I have most Tuesdays and I need it, doing paperwork (between coffee breaks lol) I worked last tues as a favour and really missed having my day off xx

[Kiddleywinks]

I have Wednesday mornings off, with Monday and Tuesdays being easy days.
Both my Monday and Tuesday children are term time only and they both finish next month due to starting big school in September, so of course I'm actively seeking work from September.

I will be protecting a half day vehemently, but I'm not worrying about which day as such, so long as I get it somewhere.

I shade in a timetable for spaces filled and my Wed morning, no names. That way when I get an enquiry, parents can see at a glance the unhighlighted areas are the times I'm available.
They've never queried it as they don't know why I'm not available, just that I'm not.
(I also avoid letting parents know that's my paperwork day)

[scottishlass]

My full timer has just given me notice. Was upset and worried as they are most of my income and had the wee one since I started but now I have had time to think about it I realise I am shattered working 5 days so my plan is to now go for it and have a Friday off - just need to find a new wee one who will fit in with this! Xx

[smurfette]

My full timer has just given me notice. Was upset and worried as they are most of my income and had the wee one since I started but now I have had time to think about it I realise I am shattered working 5 days so my plan is to now go for it and have a Friday off - just need to find a new wee one who will fit in with this! Xx

Best of luck, hope you can sort it..
It makes a huge difference xx

[loocyloo]

I have Wednesday mornings off, with Monday and Tuesdays being easy days.
Both my Monday and Tuesday children are term time only and they both finish next month due to starting big school in September, so of course I'm actively seeking work from September.

I will be protecting a half day vehemently, but I'm not worrying about which day as such, so long as I get it somewhere.

I shade in a timetable for spaces filled and my Wed morning, no names. That way when I get an enquiry, parents can see at a glance the unhighlighted areas are the times I'm available.
They've never queried it as they don't know why I'm not available, just that I'm not.
(I also avoid letting parents know that's my paperwork day)

...I don't actively say I don't work Mondays ... Just that I am not available ;-)

[scottishlass]

Best of luck, hope you can sort it.. It makes a huge difference xx thanks fingers crossed - going to try my very best!! Xx

[smurfette]

Well mum has just rang and said she has
Been practically given the job! Bless her she has said she won't take it if I can't change days because she is so happy with me and he is so happy (lol this is the one who screamed and dad wanted the id .. Only just got everyone settled
:(

It will mean having him tues to Friday which is extra day, prob not Til sept which is good but losing my day off unless other mum can / will
Change her day off.. I do like Fridays though cos my girls have no homework and can have play dates

Don't know what to do.. Ask other mum to change or tell her I won't do Mondays anymore, risk losing other mindee?!! Tell this mum I won't and she doesn't take job and resents me or does and moves him to another minder?!! :(

[Mouse]

Is there a chance she could find someone else, just for the Friday?

I would be wary of risking losing the other child by taking this on & dropping a Monday. Parents can be very fickle and you bend over backwards for them, only for them to leave soon after anyway!

I had another mum wanted a Friday. I told her I couldn't do it, so she sent her son to nursery one day a week. It worked well...and meant she could book himin for extra nursery sessions when I had any time off.

[smurfette]

Is there a chance she could find someone else, just for the Friday? I would be wary of risking losing the other child by taking this on & dropping a Monday. Parents can be very fickle and you bend over backwards for them, only for them to leave soon after anyway! I had another mum wanted a Friday. I told her I couldn't do it, so she sent her son to nursery one day a week. It worked well...and meant she could book himin for extra nursery sessions when I had any time off.

You are so right about fickle parents!!! Have had this happen before where I asked a parent to change days so I could accommodate an ad hoc child on to a regular contract when mum found a job , they refused and left about four months later.. Sigh

I have asked the other mum if she is able and or willing to change days off but also if she will need five days a week in January., cos if she does we are only talking maybe 16 weeks and I would have to do 5 days anyway ., maybe I could just take some more time off in meantime .. Part of my problem is I am not good at taking holidays so my day off with my own kids is precious but I have only just managed to wangle that the last few werks

[Toothfairy]

I gave up my day off for a Family that had been with me for a long time, as a huge favour to them as they were desperate.
After a couple of months, I took on another LO that day, as I though I was working anyway, so might as well make it worth my while.
3 months later the original family then changed their days back to how they were originally!
I was then stuck having to still work my day off as I'd taken on the new LO.:angry:

Think very hard about giving up your day off, they are very precious :D

[smurfette]

I gave up my day off for a Family that had been with me for a long time, as a huge favour to them as they were desperate. After a couple of months, I took on another LO that day, as I though I was working anyway, so might as well make it worth my while. 3 months later the original family then changed their days back to how they were originally! I was then stuck having to still work my day off as I'd taken on the new LO.:angry: Think very hard about giving up your day off, they are very precious :D

That's what I am afraid of , as it doesn't seem worth it to work for five euros an hour I probably will add in more! Mum said it was possible it might only be for six months but we all know how these things go and also the mum who is on a four day a week will probably need five by then anyway!!

[loocyloo]

Not my day off ... But my easy mornings ... Just had a mum ring wanting from 7am for 3 schoolies ... 5 mornings ...
I know the children ... They are lovely but it would be chaos here and they would want to be doing activities and being LOUD. I do start at 7.30 but with LOs and we just have quiet bumbling along whilst my children get ready for school and dh gets ready for work!
I just said I couldn't start that early ( as it is I don't often get out of bed before 7! )

[lozzy23]

I used to have Mondays off. I then had a baby needing full time care Mon-Fri 7.45-6pm and another existing parent needing to work an extra day so I gave up my day off. Roll on 3 and a half years and I am now going to have Wednesdays off from September and I will be using it to do paperwork and washing etc so I can have my weekends back. :thumbsup:

[smurfette]

So general consensus is hang onto it if I can!! I have asked other mummy about swapping, and mum with new job is gonna ask again if she can have Fridays ... So all is not lost. Think I will just have to wait and see what happens sigh

[samb]

I would hang on to it too. I gave up my Friday off to do ad hoc care for a current mindee. It was meant to be 1-2 a month and only until 3 so I decided to do it. But it was really hard only having 1 child (I really like a few!), knowing I was working for much less than minimum pay for giving up my day off and I usually worked 3 a month. I stopped doing it after a few months as mum could change her hours slightly. Then my ad hoc school child starting booking Friday after school. I have just stopped them completely and have adjusted opening hours to mon-thurs as I will be using Friday to study for my degree.

[smurfette]

I would hang on to it too. I gave up my Friday off to do ad hoc care for a current mindee. It was meant to be 1-2 a month and only until 3 so I decided to do it. But it was really hard only having 1 child (I really like a few!), knowing I was working for much less than minimum pay for giving up my day off and I usually worked 3 a month. I stopped doing it after a few months as mum could change her hours slightly. Then my ad hoc school child starting booking Friday after school. I have just stopped them completely and have adjusted opening hours to mon-thurs as I will be using Friday to study for my degree.

Thanks for reply .. Would u hang on to it even if it meant losing a current mindee? Course it might not come to that I hope! But if it did ...

[samb]

Definitely now as I will be studying and definitely wouldn't have the time otherwise but if I wasn't is probably find myself in the same situation again where I'd say yes and then regret it! So really should say no. It's really hard! I'm having issues over needing to change a contract by 15 mins and have decided i will have to accept that I will lose it rather than back down -I'm meeting with mum tomorrow for a contract review. Agh!

[smurfette]

Definitely now as I will be studying and definitely wouldn't have the time otherwise but if I wasn't is probably find myself in the same situation again where I'd say yes and then regret it! So really should say no. It's really hard! I'm having issues over needing to change a contract by 15 mins and have decided i will have to accept that I will lose it rather than back down -I'm meeting with mum tomorrow for a contract review. Agh!

Well done for taking a stand hope your meeting goes well!!

I am feeling I don't want to work my day off..
Gonna check with the other mum if she is indeed going back five days in January, and if she can switch days off this am.. If not I think I might say I can't facilitate. I worked it out and wouldn't be any better off financially unless I took on extra kids those days, so why would I work five days instead of four for the same money ?! I know if I do I might lose her but you do have to draw the line somewhere don't you or you would be working weekends too and crack of dawn Til sundown

What's the issue with your mum .. Arriving too early or too late to pick up?

[smurfette]

Ok other mum not keen on changing days, her boss is not very nice and has just signed off on Fridays until end jan, she would have to reapply.. Attitude was kind of 'I suppose I could ask'.. So not keen!!

Apparently she isn't going back to a five day a week until around may! She is saving holidays for use one day a week from end jan when her parental leave runs out (we
Get something like 75 days here unpaid for the first 5 years of a child's life but most parents use it like this) then she gets more hols in April as they are April to April .. So if I say no to new mum I could keep my day off Til then!

New mum I feel is going to go for job either way..

[smurfette]

Have text new mum and said I am sorry the other mum isn't in a position to change her days and it won't work for me going back to five days with my own family commitments. Have to say I feel relieved now decision is made! She messaged back and said she totally understands she is waiting on new manager to get back to her and will talk to husband tonight.. I said I hope we can work something out and maybe we can find someone who can do Fridays. We will see.. I would have resented it now knowing I can have my day off Til may!! Luckily I am busy with enquiries so hopefully I could fill the space if I have to.. Not nice to come back to it after my hols but what can u do?!

[samb]

Well done Smurfette hope things all work out for you.

My issue is child been with me for 19 months now and I have been collecting from home in between 2 school runs. I have really struggled to do it and have decided to stop collections. I am moving house and taking on an assistant so I used that as an excuse to make all the changes in one go. It went ok however I get the feeling they will go to a day nursery at some point as they would prefer 1 drop off point at same time each day but as I am trying to arrange drop off after school run instead of during I will be at different places on different days. It is a bit difficult but I am trying my best to meet them more than half way to what they want. Lo is settled happy and I would miss him but if they choose to go elsewhere then I feel I have offered as much as I am physically able to.