We have three kids (almost 9, 4 and almost 2) and our eldest id very self sufficient. We pay our babysitter $10 per hour. We leave the house spottless, lots of food to eat and instructions for the sitter. When we come home, the house is a disaster, dishes are left with uneaten food in them, kitchen is not wiped down (if juice or something spills, it is not cleaned up), kids go outside without hats (we live in Canada) and oh, she very often forgets to change the baby's diaper. The kids like her because she plays with them but hey.... shouldn't she at least clean up? When I baby sat, the parents ALWAYS came back to a house just like they left it with their kids clean. Should we talk to her OR look for a new one?
2007-01-07 06:16:14 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
~~~If you have talked to you babysitter about this and she hasnt changed,,,,you might want to find a new one,,,,but......first think about this,,,,if she is spending quality time with the children,,,truley getting down on the floor and playing games,,reading books,,,and if your children really look forward to her comming over,,,then mabey I would think twice. Do you want a babysitter that spends quality time with the children and kinda doesnt do house work,,,,or do you want a babysitter that does house work and sometimes pays attention to the children. Personally when you hire a babysitter so you can have a night out...think about this,,,,its a night for the kids too. But when it comes to dressing the children properly,,,and changing the little ones diaper,,,yes I would talk to her about that,,,,,give her the benifit of the doubt for now when it comes to keeping house. The children are more important than dirty dishes for one evening.....plus if you know they are having fun,,,,you will enjoy your evening out even more,,,,,,
2007-01-07 06:28:53 · answer #1 · answered by ~~Penny~~ 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Candian here too! I payed our babysitter the same(we don't go out much though) I would expect a moderate amount of basic clean up, but having 3 kids I told her I'm used to a mess forming as the day goes on and not to worry about a normal mess(toys, crayons on floor etc). I would expect garbage to be in the garbage, dishes in the sink, and any food/juice messes to be cleaned up. I think its TOTALLY unacceptable, though, that she 'forgets'(does she really or does she just not want to change a dirty diaper) to change the baby. I would freak if she took my kids outside in the cold and without hat/mitts. If I felt that my kids were unsafe with her, and worried about what was happening while I was gone, I would question if she is the right person for the job. I would have a talk with her first, and if you don't notice a change immediatly...find someone new.
2007-01-07 08:18:35 · answer #2 · answered by Lisa 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmm she needs to change the diaper that is key making sure the kids are dressed for outside and wiping up any spills that may occur with in reasons. as far as dishes she is not the nanny or the maid she is to only care for the children the dishes should be in the sink and she should ask the 9 and 4 yr old about an hour before you guys get homes to pick up there toys and she should clean up the baby. Plus shes a teenager. this is a good reason why its so hard to be a teen mother because its hard to think of everything that needs to be done when your trying to make sure there not killing eachother.
2007-01-07 06:22:24 · answer #3 · answered by shannon m 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
how old is she exactly? i think you should talk to her let her know exactly what is expected if the kids like her and you trust her then just let her know...any mess made needs to be cleaned up before we get home, the babies diaper must be changed every so often, we dont let the kids outside w/ no hat and etc. just make the rules very clear she may not be raised in the same way in which you were and it might not even be on her mind that she is doing something wrong
2007-01-07 06:32:14 · answer #4 · answered by ELIZY 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Depends on her age & what U are really asking her to do! I would think it is a little difficult for her to watch kids, clean ur house & mow ur lawn in 4hrs & do it in the way U would! When I have had a babysitter, I have only expected them to attend to my kids. Feed them, change them, naps, play w/them &/or get them ready for bed. I didn't give her EXACT times for these things...just estimates. I know tht it is hard 2 b in the middle of playing w/kids & stop 2 make lunch so it is ready @ 12:15 sharp! And wht "agreement" do U have w/her? She has agreed to do her best to adhere to ur schedule, but it is OK if she is 1/2hr late w/lunch. And as far as the going rate is, depends again on wht U are asking her to do! Watching kids + household chores= more $$. Watching kids alone- AT LEAST minimum wage. Is she allowed to eat there? If so, then U can make it a little less. If not, then U need to make it a little above (she has 2 bring her own food).
2016-05-23 03:41:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I won't let a teenager babysit my children, by my own choice. Maybe the things aren't getting done because the sitter is just a child herself. If you're expecting her to act like an adult, then perhaps you could discuss the issues with her. Set some guild-lines you have to remember it's YOUR house and YOUR rules make sure she knows this. If things continue I suggest getting an adult whom will sit for you children and take care of them and your home the way it should be done.
2007-01-07 07:34:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like you're really disappointed in this sitter. Put together a list of what you'd expect/want in a sitter and if she comes up short, then have a talk with her about your expectations. Let her know you really like her and would love to have her continue as your sitter, but she needs to do x,y and z to keep her job.
Give her one more chance and if she keeps it up, find someone else.
My expectations of our sitter - they need to have taken a baby sitting class, be Red Cross certified and have taken CPR. They need to have good grades and good common sense. We put them through a number of questions regarding what would you do if...(the house was on fire, someone was choking, someone comes to the door, your friends want to come over...)
2007-01-07 08:06:37 · answer #7 · answered by Shrieking Panda 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would talk to her if the kids love her thats great its hard to find good sittersjust let her know the baby can get painful rashes and tell her that she needs to clean up enlist the kids to help if she needs to or cant find the time you may also tell her the kids could get sick and then it would be harder to take care of them best of luck
2007-01-07 06:29:27 · answer #8 · answered by mommyofanangel06 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋