CMs - parent on maternity leave, what would you do?

[underpaidandoverworked]

One of my parents is on maternity leave and when we discussed hours, I was told back in September that in Jan I would still have child xxx hrs pw, with hours dropping to 8 or 12 from Feb -May, when parent going back then would have ft care of child and baby. Fine and dandy, budgeted for that but now have been told only as and when required for Jan, basically when she needs a break, and not at all until goes back to work - but might take a bit longer off, though will be back at work before end of summer term!! Unfortunately I didn't put proposed hours in writing - have known family for several yrs and have always had a good relationship with them so didn't think I needed to (unwise, I know).
I now have the dilemna of no money coming in for god knows how many months - child was my main income, as cms are struggling for work where I live - but still have monthly bills/ commitments. I don't know what to do as I had promised to keep the places open, but I can't afford to have no money coming in! Don;t know whether to give notice and then redo contracts when parent returns to work, but make it clear I may fill the places in the meantime - but that makes me feel really mean and I would hate to damage the trust and relationship I've built up. I've always been full with my u-5 places till now, credit crunch definitely hitting cms hard too.

Help! Any advice welcomed - from parents as well as other cms. If you are a parent, what would you expect?

when I went on maternity for ds2 I pulled ds1 from the cm (she knew that I would).
I wanted to use her again for both of them afterwards, but fully appreciated that if she filled the spaces in the meantime it was my look out.
If I wanted to ensure I was keeping the place open I would expect to be paying retainer fees for those hours.

I paid a retainer fee to my CM when I was on Mat leave.

Thanks girls, if I'd realised earlier this was going to happen would have made it clear places not guaranteed.

cece - did your cm charge a weekly retainer or a lump sum? Round here there are so many more cms than kids to look after that the competition is fierce.

chasingsquirrels - did your cm terminate your existing contract when you pulled ds1 out?

I think this is more of a moral dilemna for me than a business one - am too nice for my own good sometimes

she didn't formally terminate, but I am pretty sure she did use the hours.
FWIW ds1 only went for 7 hours one day a week, when ds2 started they went on a different day, but only for 6 hours.

"if I'd realised earlier this was going to happen would have made it clear places not guaranteed."

But now the situation has changed. They've changed the deal and so can you. If you explain why you can't guarantee to keep the spaces open now, I'm sure they will understand. It's great you have a strong relationship, but you aren't their private CM. You're running a business and they must respect that. Don't torture yourself with the morality because you're in the clear there.