topic Re: Babysitting in Community Chat

Babysitting

nygirl20 — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 18:44:35 GMT

This morning I went to go babysit and when I arrived I was told I was not needed for today. Not one of the parents called me to tell me not to come in today. I drove 20 minutes each way for nothing. I am not sure what I should do now should I wait to see if they call me and apologize or should I call them. Also should I continue babysitting for them since this type of incident has happened in the past.

Thank you

Re: Babysitting

Topaz Gem — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 18:49:16 GMT

That is very rude. Unless you really need that job, I would not babysit for them any longer. They don't respect you or your time.

Re: Babysitting

sunshine45 — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 18:50:09 GMT

maybe you could tell them that if they dont give you advance notice that you are not needed that you will have to add an extra hour to your next babysitting job.....and tell them it is for your travel time and gas.

Re: Babysitting

JustJules — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:16:13 GMT

That is extremely rude, and you mention that it has happened in the past. Not sure what kind of agreement you have with them, but they don't seem to take your time very seriously. What if they took their child to the doctor, and the doctor said, oh I am too busy to honor your appointment today. They would be furious. Your time and gas is money, and you should have an honest discussion with them since this is not the first time it has happened. If I were you, I would tell them you expect to be paid for at least 1 hour for your time and inconvenience, since they could not bother to call you in advance to cancel before you left for their home. I don't know how badly you need this job, but these don't sound like considerate people. Perhaps you could find other babysitting jobs. It seems they are just taking you for granted. Best of luck.

Re: Babysitting

brii — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:18:52 GMT

You should talk to them and charge them a fee. They should have given you notice.

You didn't say how many times it has happened in the past, but it will continue until you put a stop to it.

Re: Babysitting

nygirl20 — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:26:56 GMT

Thanks everyone I am only doing this job since I work at a college and we are on summer break. So I don't really need the job it would just be spending money for me. I feel bad about possibly not working for them anymore but they obviously don't care about me and my time.

Re: Babysitting

Disneylandfan — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 21:15:45 GMT

They should have called you but sometimes things get forgotten. If you could use the money and it's a good job I would just call before driving over there. Should you have to call, no but if they are forgetful about canceling this would save you a drive.

Re: Babysitting

nunya — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 21:25:23 GMT

I'd say something. If you didn't just show up one day, they'd be singing a different tune.

Re: Babysitting

Topaz Gem — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 21:31:33 GMT

On 6/23/2014 nygirl20 said: Thanks everyone I am only doing this job since I work at a college and we are on summer break. So I don't really need the job it would just be spending money for me. I feel bad about possibly not working for them anymore but they obviously don't care about me and my time.

Sometimes people just don't think. I would give them the benefit of the doubt and ask them if they thought of calling you ahead of time so that you would save the gas money (and we all know gas is going UP!) and wear and tear on your car. Maybe if you nicely ask them that if it happens again, to please notify you ahead of time, rather than let you find out when you arrive. If they don't agree, then I would tell them that obviously they do not respect you or your time and that you won't be able to babysit them any longer. Don't ever let anyone walk all over you or take advantage of you.

Re: Babysitting

DoneTryin — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 21:33:09 GMT

Since it's happened before, it appears that they don't regard your time to be worth anything. You could gently but firmly tell them that you enjoy working for them, but from now on you need 2 hours' notice if they do not need you. Otherwise, they owe you one hour payment for your time & trouble driving over there.

Let us know what you decide to do, if anything.

Re: Babysitting

missy1 — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 21:42:58 GMT

Rude. Charge higher rates, next time. (like a penalty)

Re: Babysitting

nygirl20 — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:23:34 GMT

Thank you everyone for the replies. So far I have not received a call from them apologizing for what occurred today. I am going to call them tomorrow to let them know I am upset for not letting me know. I am still debating on continuing on with babysitting for them.

Re: Babysitting

JuJu Squeezie — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:42:28 GMT

You need to tell them what your deal breakers are. You can't assume they have manners like yours. Good Luck.

Re: Babysitting

shoptilyadropagain — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:52:41 GMT

There's no way I would put up with that if I didn't need the job. I would let them know if it happens again, you're no longer going to babysit for them.

Re: Babysitting

occasionalrain — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:58:10 GMT

They should pay you for the day if they haven't notified you in time for you to make other plans. It shouldn't matter whether you need the money or not. Suppose you turned down another babysitting job because you were committed to babysitting for them? So, because they didn't bother to notify you, you lost a day's pay and the opportunity to make other plans. How would they feel if they showed up at work and were told they weren't needed that day and weren't paid for it?

Re: Babysitting

raven-blackbird — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 05:12:04 GMT

you need to work up an employment contract..........and I would include that if it is a routinely scheduled day and they don't need you.........they still have to pay............................raven

Re: Babysitting

Jannabelle — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 05:18:34 GMT

On 6/23/2014 raven-blackbird said:
you need to work up an employment contract..........and I would include that if it is a routinely scheduled day and they don't need you.........they still have to pay............................raven

Yes....if they had them in day care, they would probably pay for all days, needed or not, and you should definitely be paid for the day for going to work....and I probably would not count on a apology call, but maybe they will,...... but I would stll do what BBR said, your time is worth something and if they have done this before, they are not being respectful.

Re: Babysitting

Jannabelle — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 05:59:06 GMT

On 6/23/2014 Hildegarde Withers said:
That is just awful...can't believe no one apologized and offered you compensation for your time and gas. I would definitely tell them that from now on you'll charge them for the day if you don't receive notice. Let them know how much notice you require.

I know she is a baby sitter and not a daycare, but most of them don't care about notice, if you pay by the week, you pay ever week, even if you don't use it at all,....+ all the holidays they take, where you still have to work......there may be exceptions.

Re: Babysitting

nygirl20 — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 17:56:02 GMT

I spoke with the father this morning of the child I was going to babysit for. He told me that he texted the wrong number. He said he wondered why he didn't get a reply. He could have called me on my house phone which I know he is the correct number to make sure I recieved the message. So now they want me to babysit again tomorrow and I am torn if I should go. His response seems a bit phony to me. He didn't seem sincere in his response.

Re: Babysitting

sophiamarie — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 18:03:32 GMT

On 6/24/2014 nygirl20 said: I spoke with the father this morning of the child I was going to babysit for. He told me that he texted the wrong number. He said he wondered why he didn't get a reply. He could have called me on my house phone which I know he is the correct number to make sure I recieved the message. So now they want me to babysit again tomorrow and I am torn if I should go. His response seems a bit phony to me. He didn't seem sincere in his response.

If you really don't need the money that badly, then teach them a lesson.

Tell them you texted them that you wouldn't/couldn't be there. Give them a taste of their own medicine and maybe they'll learn something.

A little assertiveness goes a long way. Good luck. You sound like a very responsible person. Let us know how this works out.