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Babysitting/$$$$

Posted: Oct 8, 2015

Most of you know the problems I've had getting paid for babysitting 4 children part time. I asked the wife tonight if they could pay me tomorrow, Friday. She went on to day her next few checks were spoken for (she gets paid twice a month) with bills. I told her I was keeping an invoice and left. After thinking about it, I decided to send her husband a text. I sent him a picture of the running charges. I told him I would babysit one more week, but if I wasn't paid up by then I couldn't. By then, I will be owed $200. I'm not happy doing it, but had to.

;

I would tell her my next few days were spoken for with - other clients who pay on time. SM

[ In Reply To ..]
You've let this go too long and have only yourself to blame if you get screwed over after this one more week.

She apparently can't work if someone doesn't babysit, so you'd better straighten things out pretty quick and tell the husband your fee better come out of his check tomorrow to keep you into next week. No check, no babysitter.

Cut off the babysitting, tell them you don't come back until you get paid, that you've got other clients who pay on time.

Do any of the stores let you pay for things after the next few checks are no longer spoken for?

You're going to be hashing it out in small claims court or sucking it up for $200.

Wow.

Sad situation all around - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Indeed you need to be paid.

Indeed they are probably working very hard to earn money and keep their heads above water and support their family.

We all know how tough the world is out there.

She probably barely makes more in an evening to cover the $35 for daycare :-(

No easy answer at all.

$10/hour - Lisa

[ In Reply To ..]
She works full time, $10 an hour. I only babysit 2 nights a week, so she can definitely afford me.

they are yanking your chain - I would bet anything

[ In Reply To ..]
that if you babysit next week, you'll be doing it for free. They are taking advantage of your kindness. Since you told them you will do it one more week, they know they can get another free week of babysitting. My advice is quit now before you get cheated out of even more money.

Why are you still babysitting for them - if

[ In Reply To ..]
they are not paying you? Telling them you are "keeping an invoice" is not a solution. They will continue to take advantage of you as long as you let them, then they'll probably argue about how much they owe you and try to get away with a fraction of what you are due.

You need to stop working for nothing. You may feel that you have to keep doing it because you need the money, but you're not getting any money. You're working for free.

Stop until they pay what you are owed, then decide whether you want to go through all that again (because they will do it again) before you decide whether to go back.

Cash-in-advance, only! - No cash, parents can stay home, then.

[ In Reply To ..]

Tell her to tie her tubes - see msg

[ In Reply To ..]
This couple can't afford the kids they have, so I would tell her to tie her tubes if her husband won't get a vasectomy. I'm guessing they were already on the edge of finances after the first one or 2.

Paying the babysitter should be a priority! - SM

[ In Reply To ..]
Claiming that your next two checks are already spoken for with bills is like saying that your kids are low on your list of priorities. How do they know you won't take out your frustrations with them on their kids? They obviously don't care about that possibility or they wouldn't even chance it! I would absolutely refuse to watch the kids again until you are paid in full AND get an agreement in writing as to your fees and when you are to be paid. First time after that they don't pay, you don't watch the kids again.

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