" When I tell Claudia , she definitely had thorn jounce . But when I broke down the price and she shopped around , she realized I was the cheaper option . "
If you’ve ever babysat before, then you know how exhausting the job can be — especially if your hours extend overnight. And, on the flip side, if you’ve ever needed to hire a babysitter before, then you know it’s difficult to find someone you trust with your children. It’s a difficult job that requires someone who’s kind, trustworthy, and amazing with kids, and those qualities come with a price tag.
Recently, Reddit useru/dancingqueengreen— who we’ll call DQ for short — shared astoryabout a family who requested her services and canceled at the last minute, and it’s starting a huge debate about pay and fairness.
Here’s what happened, according to DQ: “Five months ago, a friend of a friend named Claudia asked me if I could watch her sons while she and her husband attended a wedding out of state. She wanted me to stay three days and two nights… For overnights, I always charge my usual rate for all waking hours and then a flat rate of $100 per night while they’re sleeping. This covers me still being on call. I can’t leave the house, and if the kids wake up, I’ll tend to them.”
“Overall, the price for those three days was going to be $840. Which I know is a lot, but to me, this is a luxury service,” DQ said. “I have 10 years of experience, am expected to clean, cook, and drive her kids places, as well as sleep at their house. Unlike other jobs, I’m basically working three days straight. When I told Claudia, she definitely had sticker shock. But when I broke down the price and she shopped around, she realized I was the cheaper option.”
“I requested the time off work. I don’t get PTO, but figured I was making more doing this than I would be working three days at my other job, so I figured it’d be worth it.”
As months come about and the hymeneals started getting close , DQ said she babysat for the family to get to know the small fry . " I did n’t have a mess of communication with Claudia ’s husband , Rick . Last week , he was the one to excuse me and pay . He asked how much I was charging for the wedding weekend . When I distinguish him , he was clear uncomfortable . But he still said , ' We ’ll see you Friday . ' ”
“This morning, I got a text from Claudia saying, ‘Hey, so Richard decided he wants to take the kids to the wedding after all! We won’t need you,'” they explained.
" I checked with my chore , and they have no need for me this weekend as they found insurance coverage . Basically , I ’m out three daylight pay . "
“I texted Claudia and said that she needed to pay me at minimum what I’d make at work in those three days ($480). She told me I was being ridiculous and that the whole point is they don’t feel it’s worth it to pay that much. I explained that I took the time off,” DQ said.
" We did n’t have a contract bridge , which in hindsight was stupid . I experience legally they do n’t have to , and I ’d have no case . I did n’t say this , just said the right affair is for her to pay up . I tote up if they had tell me earlier and I was able to get those shifts back , it ’d be dissimilar . My friend that recommended me to Claudia says I ’m being ridiculous . I pointed out that if I had strike down this finale , they ’d be somewhat pissed and screwed . Am I the asshole ? "
" You were prepared to work out for them for those days , and then they canceled at the last minute . No , you are n’t TA for ask for the money,“u / Quaternionssaid . " However , without a written contract , I would n’t expect to get a dime from them . "
The lack of contract and clear expectations was a theme that rang throughout the comment section…
" I translate being angry that they canceled so late , but you also did n’t give them a timeframe that they needed to cancel by , " useru / internal_progress404said . " It ’s not just the lack of compose declaration , but your lack of clearness on that point . You both handled it bad , so ESH . "
…as well as the fact that the family did not ask DQ to take off work in exchange for the babysitting hours.
" They are also not creditworthy for your pay at your other work . You tried to juggle two chore , unsuccessfully , and paid the price for it , " useru / Pink__Flamingosaid .
Not everyone agrees, though, and some do place the blame solely on the couple.
" That was topnotch belated notice to strike down by and cost you three days wages , " useru / KronkLaSwordasaid . " Never baby sit for them again . "
And they think other babysitters in the area should be warned:
" If you may , get babysitters in the area love of your experience , " useru / densebread97agreed . " They screwed you over , and other hoi polloi need to recognize so they can make an informed decision whether or not to work with them . "
Either way, everyone wants DQ to get their next gig in writing.
" handle this as a learning experience . In the time to come , if you have to take off work , ask for a 50 % deposit up front . Maybe particularise [ when agreement are ] non - cancelable , " useru / extinct_diplodocusconcluded .
