It's spring break week and I have been meaning to get so much done. I started out really great, well, kinda.  I had set up for a cleaning lady to come in and do some cleaning.  This was a first for me, never have had someone else do my cleaning and I am so glad I did.  She got tons done.  But only upstairs.  I ran a ton of errands and did straigtening and laundry that day.  But I was not at 100%.  I have a super bad cough that started last Thursday.

On Tuesday I went to the doctor and got some heavy duty cough syrup and an inhaler for the bronchitis.  I managed to get the stairs vacuumed and wash the daycare room floor.  It's THURSDAY already and that is about all that has been done.  I had such plans.  But my body is telling me to just rest.

When I was at the doctor she asked what happens when the daycare provider is sick.  I told her that luckily this week I was already scheduled off. 

But what does happen if I'm not scheduled off when I am sick?  Well, sometimes I have to close - when you are not able to leave the bathroom you can't really take care of little kids after all.  I had to close last year cause I sprained both my ankles really bad and had to have heavy duty pain killers to make it through those first few days.  And I closed for kidney stone surgery.   This school year though I have not closed once.  And I would not have closed for this illness either.

As a daycare provider out of my home I have a bit of an advantage - I can be lazy and have a TV day if I need, or just supervise the kids as they play if the group is a more mellow group.  During nap time if everyone sleeps I can rest on the couch.  I have my tea ready to make right here, and lots of water.  I don't take heavy duty cough syrup if kids are in attendance though because I do need to be alert.  As a general rule home daycare providers try not to close if at all possible because we know it's a hardship on a lot of different families.

I know of some providers who only took a weekend off after giving birth.  Others I know feel guilty over having to close even though they are having a major health crisis and they should go to the ER.  And I know of others who do end up closing and the daycare parents complain to them about it.  I, luckily, have not had that happen in a real long time.