I babysat for a family...who refuses to pay me.. need advice?

Question

I baby sat for a family with four kids 5th grade, 3rd grade, 1st grade, and 2 year old (with special needs.) I was supposed to babysit for this family over a 4 day weekend. The older boys were horrible, the were wrestling to the point of getting hurt, not listening, and just being rude.

I called the parents after 24 hours and asked them to come home early. The Dad made arrangements to have another babysitter take over (Thank God, these kids were a nightmare) he said they would work out paying me when the got back.

Well it has been a week and I called and the Dad informed me vhe would not be paying me since I backed out. That this was a horrible thing to do, and that I have no idea what it feels like as a parent to have someone do this to you.

Advice? What should I do?

Answer 1

Demand payment, it sounds like you deserve it! Maybe not full payment, but at least something for your troubles. Just talk to them about it, I'm sure they'll understand. Go to more extreme limits if necessary.

Answer 2

Well, like they say, live and learn. It is terrible on the dad's part to do that to you. You may want to check into your state's laws as to how things are handled when it comes to verbal agreements. If this was not a verbal agreement, then you need to ask yourself if it is worth the time and money it will take to go the route of small claims court. If it is a large enough amount and you have records of the agreement and have things documented, then contact your courts and start the proceedings for a smalls claims judgement. If it is not worth the time and money and it is the principal of it all, then, you can write a letter. Not a nasty note but one that is well thought out, and stating that it was beyond normal curcumstances and that you acted in the best intrest of his children. If this still does not get the dad to do the right thing, then put it behind you, learn from it, get things in writing and make sure you at least get a deposit next time for your services. Live and learn.

Answer 3

This is tough one, but I do side with the parents. While I don't know how old you are or if you had previous experience with the kids, you should have had at least an idea of what it would take to watch four kids for four days. I would have at least asked to come and visit the kids before hand, get the layout of the house, rules, etc. You also should have had a backup lan in place with the family in case something like what happened happened. While the parents should have thought of all of this, you certainly could have suggested it as well. Since you were unable to handle the kids and the parents had to scramble to get coverage (you don't mention if they were in a position to come home easily) I tend to agree with the choice they made. My bet is you may have even cost them more in the long run since they had to scramble replace you. Next time, do your homework ahead of time.

Answer 4

I have to agree, you didn't even come close to finishing the job, they had to take out from their time to find a replacement sitter, so NO I don't think that you should get paid. I am sorry that you had to go through this kind of ordeal, but take it as a lesson learned. Check into what you are getting yourself into the next time. Maybe next time, take the time out to visit with the kids for a while before babysitting them. Do it when the parents are there, and they can give you pointers on what works best with each kid. Hope things work out better for you in the future....

Answer 5

Think about it though. They had to find someone to come replacement babysit while they were out of town.
1.always know what your getting yourself into.
2.You should of asked for backup from a family member or friend.
It was a nightmare for you but not great for them either. How could you think it was gonna be anything but extremely difficult when there is four kids and one has special needs.

Answer 6

Consider it a lesson learned. I mean, im sure they dont want to pay 2 people for that job. and there is really nothing that you can do, unless you signed like a contract that said they'd pay you this much for working this long. But in the end, you did back out on them, and they had to find someone else, so i dont think you'll be getting any money from them.

Answer 7

I agree with most of your answers, drop it and call it a lessoned learned. Though if you want to get back at them, you can always spread the word on how awful the kids behaved, therefore possibly detering other potential sitters, just make sure what you say is the truth then nothing can come back on you.
Sorry you got screwed, I think you should have at least received 1/4th of the agreed pay, but you know you'll never see it.

Answer 8

Cut your losses and move on. You didn't follow through on the job, you don't deserve the pay! I would make an allowance if you got sick or had a family emergency, but, you called and the parents were lucky enough to have a backup. Suck it up and maybe next don't take on such a large job!

Answer 9

If you agreed to four days--that's your job. They had to stop what they were doing (on vacation or wherever) to find another babysitter just because you didn't want to do the job you were hired to do. If you didn't know what you were getting into you should have been around the family before they left. You didn't do the job you were hired to do--therefore you shouldn't get paid. Sorry!

Answer 10

Thats a hard question.
Anybody with any intelligence would stop babysitting for one
that doesn't pay. Asking questions isn't going to change anything.

Answer 11

I really don't know what to tell you. Legally since you didn't stay as long as you were supposed to, they don't have to pay you you, I don't think. You may just have to take the hit and move on. I'm sorry you had to put up with them for free.