I was babysitting and the kids attacked each other and I was fired.?

Question

Two kids: 10 and 8. They started fighting; kicking, punching, biting. and when the parents got home they yelled at me and didn't pay me. it wasn't my fault!

i tried to stop the kids but they threatened to destroy my cellphone.

was it really my fault?

Answer 1

As the sitter, it is your responsibility to maintain control of the situation at all times. If you couldn't do that, or were intimidated by children that young threatening to destroy your property....which shouldn't even have been an issue, as you should be able to keep them out of your purse....then no, you didn't do your job. You're not getting paid to just 'be' there.

You should be paid for showing up....but not for the entire time that you were there, since they might as well have been without a sitter on this occasion. It's not an issue of whose 'fault' the fight was. Brats will be brats, but a good sitter can control them by being creative. If children are too bratty, simply decline to work for those parents in the future. If the children don't stop fighting when you tell them to, use the phone number the parents gave you and tell them that they need to come home, because you're not going to sit for misbehaved children.

The suggestion above about making sure the rules are clear is excellent. That IS a good way to pre-guess how well children will be inclined to behave. Don't be shy about asking parents to write out their basic rules for you, as well as how they'd like you to handle specific situations. They should certainly be willing to do that. Even better, print up a standard form for all your clients to fill out for you with basics like bedtime rules, snack rules, playing rules, etc. Leave room for them to add anything they want at the bottom. Keep it on file for each family you sit for. That's very professional, and shows them you take your responsibility for their children very seriously while they're in your care. Bring it with you each time you sit for them, and have them date and initial it, letting them make any changes needed. You can probably even find some forms like that already done.

You are in charge while the parents are out....and you have every right to expect the parents to make that clear to the children each time they get ready to leave, while you are standing there. (Do not discuss this with the parents in front of the children, however....because showing any insecurity in front of the children will only undermine your authority with them.)

How old are you? Most Red Crosses offer a 2-day babysitter training seminar. It will cost you money, but like any business or 'profession' (temporary though it may be)...you have to often spend a little money to make more money. If you're certified by the Red Cross, you will earn more money not only from each job, but from referrals of parents to other parents about how good you are. :-)

Answer 2

No, it's not your fault. If I were your mother, I'd pay a visit and tell these people that the incident was not your fault and that I supported my daughter's right to be paid for her services.

Lacking parental backup, you are probably better off staying away from these people. Out-of-control children often have chaotic, irresponsible parents. If the kids are this violent, it's possible the adults aren't safe for you to be around either.

When you first meet possible babysitting clients, it will be good to ask them what their rules for their children are. If they have rules, that's a good sign, and you will know what to do if the kids misbehave; if there are no rules, there is a high risk for bad behavior and incidents like the one you described here.

Answer 3

Yeah, you don't deserve to not get your money. That's wrong of the parents not to listen to you. If you tried to stop the fight than the parents have NO reason to be getting on your case about it.

You may have been the babysitter but you cannot control the behavior of those buttheads.

Call the family and tell the parents everything and ask them if you can at least get paid for babysitting. If they say no, make sure you know why. If they don't give you a reason than tell them that they are very unprofessional and hang up. LOL

Answer 4

call up the parents and tell them the TRUTH. if the truth is that you sat there and watched 3 hours of real world, tell them that and apoligize. if the truth is you were trying to break up the fight and they were seriously trying to destroy your phone, tell them you did everything you could, but you didn't succeed. ask them for a possible second chance, maybe you could offer to work a day without pay to prove yourself, and if they are satisfied you could go back to working for them. whatever you do, don't lie, becuase these kids are old enough to tell there parents the truth, and even if you did everything in human power to stop these kids from fighting, apoligize to the parents for allowing there children to be injured by each other under your supervision. next time you babysi, try to bring along some activitys to do together (like bring stuff to bake ginderbread houses with christmas around the corner, or bring a craft you like and teach them how make it.) parts just LOVE when the kids have a craft or treat they made when the babysistter helped them make it! you are VERY likely to get your job back if you are sincere!

Answer 5

That was rotten of the parents to do that to you. I take care of two little boys 8 and 6, and they act horrible sometimes. The good thing is their parents know how they behave, and I do not get blamed for their fighting. I think Mr. and Mrs. Goody Two Shoes used this as an excuse not to pay you. because they are bound to know they behave this way.

As for the rest of you that said she should have been fired and that this was her fault for not being able to handle them, you should try taking care of bratty kids. It sucks. I`m an adult and a professional nanny. Sometimes they are out of control, and you cannot do a thing about it except tell their parents. How do you suggest we make them stop? We are not allowed to put our hands on them nor should we. We can only tell the parents and hope they will help solve the problem. As for the adults on this Question who blamed this young person, it is people like you who rear irresponsible children, because you will not take responsibility and are in denial for yours and your bratty children`s actions.

Answer 6

You are probably the not the first babysitter that has dealt with those children. The parents pretty much already know that their children fight but maybe blaming it on you so they can save face. It's kind of embarassing when your children misbehave around other people. But regardless they should have paid you.
Just be wary of them next time.

Answer 7

Well, obviously the kids are brats. They should still pay you though. Talk to your parents. If they are really hell bent in not paying you...oh well. At least you wouldn't be in that situation again.

I once had a kid piss in a drawer while the sibling shat themselves. Neither refused to change. They were that age as well. I tried everything, short of physically ripping the clothes off of them and tossing them into the bath. The parents were sympathetic, I am sorry the parents you delt with weren't that cool.

Answer 8

No is was not I have a 9 & 7 yr old....they fight all the time. These people should of paid you and I think you have every right to ask for the money.

Answer 9

Yeah, you let things get out of control, HOWEVER, since nobody was seriously hurt, and even if they were, you need to be paid.
You were there to handle emergencies should one arise, you were taking care of the kids.
Have your folks get you paid, the full amount, or go to small claims court.
While it may seem a trifle amount, it's a matter of principle. They owe it to you, and you need to insist that they pay you. Odds are if they don't pay you, and you take out papers, then serve your own notice on them to appear, they'll pay and avoid court.
Good Luck.

Answer 10

If you told them to stop then you should get paid. Call them or write a letter demanding payment. You aren't responsible for their childrens bad behavior.