Navigating Negotiations with Difficult Parents - A Babysitter's Story

[krzymomof4]

Don't use me as a reference LOL

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Take advantage of nice peopleThere are so many people out there who take advantage of nice people like you. It's a shame but I would have been so glad to get a daycare person who cared for my kids and was extremely nice and genuine when I was working. I am sorry you had to go through this.
I am glad you got your money. She couldn't even say thank you, that is selfish and so immature. You did the right thing in asking for your money, and for trying to work with her. Her sniffling and silent treatment are all signs of a manipulative person, who wants you to feel bad when she should be so grateful you took care of her sick kids for so long.
I had a daycare worker who was a nightmare and then had the nerve to ask for her payment.
I had to report her because my kids told me she watched TV all day and left them outside unsupervised. At this time my oldest was only 5 and my daughter was 4. She also allowed a sick child to come over even though she specifically said that she would never do that. I stuck around for a while this particular morning and the little girl threw up. She said it's ok she probably has a stomach ache. It was not a stomach ache. Accoring to my kids she threw up all day, even when I came to pick them up.
My son got a large cut on his arm from a stick that he was playing with while he was unsupervised outside and both my kids got sick because of the sick child who was throwing up all day at her house. I know kids get hurt outside, that wasn't the problem, the problem was that he never got medicine on it, a bandaid, or anything. Blood was on his sweater and he never told her and she never knew. I found out at home when I was getting him in the bathtub. He said he forgot to tell her because they came in to eat and then took their naps.
She had the nerve to ask for payment. I told her she didn't hold up her end of the bargain and so she didn't get paid. It was only 3 days!!!
I had to find another daycare mid week, plus miss half a day of work to get them signed in and in a new place. I just don't dump off my kids without checking out the new place. I am glad to be home now and homeschooling my kids. It's the greatest joy in the world to me. I thank the Lord I am able to do this instead of having to work.
Debbie

 

[cmdtrgd]

I suggest having all your clients sign a contract so as to not look like you are singling her out - it might end up becoming a bad word-of-mouth. Then again, if you want PC to go full time, you might want her to be pissed!

 

[jenniferlynne]

I suggest having all your clients sign a contract so as to not look like you are singling her out - it might end up becoming a bad word-of-mouth. Then again, if you want PC to go full time, you might want her to be pissed!

Oh, you don't know how bad I want to do PC full time. I was on a roll towards the end of last year too. I did $3000 in November which was my biggest month ever!! I know her leaving would be a huge motivation for me, but we do still have some bills we are trying to pay off and I need the money. For now anyway

 

[nikkijo]

I would call other daycares and babysitters in the area and see what the going rate is. This way you know if you are competitive or to low priced. I would also have a set fee for all of the kids. I would think that at $11 a day per kid after snacks and lunch you can not be making that much money.

Could you come up with a weekly lunch menu that you hand out on friday so if the child does not like it they can bring a bag lunch?

I would also have all of the parents sign the same agreement on pay schedule and when they do not have to pay. I know up here daycares you earn sick days...I think it's one a month or something like that. Good Luck.

 

[GeorgiaPeach]

GET IT IN WRITING!!! I hate to admit that I have been watching alot of "court" shows lately...two things I've learned. 1) Never put a cell phone in your name for someone you barely know and 2) if you babysit get the agreement in writing. It saves BOTH of you alot of hassle in the long run.

That way you don't have to stress over what she will pay you each week and she can't keep changing the amount. It's in writing and agreed upon by both of you. Stick to your guns! She doesn't call the phone company and tell them she's only going to pay for 2 weeks cause she was out of town and didn't use her phone for the full month!

 

[pamperedcindy]

New Year, New Start.
Every school has a school policy and rules, that both the teacher and parents have to sign. So she should understand this, make a policy and rules letter in which both of you sign and date give her a copy. Feb. is the start of the new semister in school, make it your new semister. Part of your policy should be: if your child(ren) have special diets or likes certain foods the parent MUST pack a lunch for that child. Figure your monthly charge for them and payment is to be paid in advance. This is your business remember that. I work at a school and sometimes the teachers are worse then the children. And who knows what could be the worse she can do, take her children elsewhere(lol). I will keep you in my prayers, I know it can be hard to work with some people.