please help me am I in the wrong?

Question

Im watching this 6 year old little girl mon-Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. well I just found out that its only $15.00 a day which to me is not worth it for that long of a day. But the thing is the grandma wont pay no more. So my question is how should I tell this women I dont want to babysit and she will not pay no more she told me that tonight she can't aford it. I was going to tell her that I am going to be getting more hours up where I work now but I dont think that is good to tell her. Another thing is that she leaves right down the street from me. please help me =(

Answer 1

just tell her you can't watch her kid anymore! she's too cheap!

Answer 2

Not sure I understand ... you said you watch her 6:30 A.M. to 5:30 A.M.? Or do you mean 5:30 P.M.? If you mean 5:30 P.M. then for sure $15.00 is too little to pay for childcare. It doesn't matter if she lives right down the street from you. You don't need to lie - just tell her the truth but do give her some notice (a week or two if you feel very generous). Let her know that you like her little girl but YOU can't afford to work for so little. Surely she will understand that since SHE can't afford to pay more.

Answer 3

So, are you telling us that you watched a child for almost 24 hours for only $15.00? And how could you "just find out" that it was only $15.00? Didn't you set a price when you agreed to babysit? If you didn't why not? It was up to YOU to set the price, and if her offer of $15.00 a day wasn't enough then why did YOU agree to it? I know I wouldn't babysit around the clock from 6:30 one morning until 5:30 the next for only $15.00 but if that is what you agreed to what are you whining for now?

Answer 4

Do you mean 5:30 pm? because that makes no sense what you've said there.
As a parent who pays 630$ a month for part-time daycare for my child, I can see both sides of it.
I don't know where you live, but a home child care provider where I live usually charges up to 30$ a day, but most only charge 20-25$
Have you considered taking on more children? I know here you can have up to 5 kids at a time, which would equate to alot more money and possibly help out some parents who really need it.

Answer 5

I'm sure that she realizes that $15.00 a day is not enough pay for the job. Maybe she is just being honest when she says she can't afford to pay more. But maybe she is taking advantage of your good nature. I doubt she would be surprised if you were to tell her you will be getting more hours where you work now and that you will not be able to babysit for her anymore. And you have no reason to feel bad because she lives just down the street. Maybe it's her that should feel bad for asking you to babysit for $15.00 a day. Tell her you can't do it anymore because you will be getting more hours at your other job and you can't afford to pass it up.

Answer 6

You are not wrong. Look up the going rates for home daycare, babysitting and outside daycare (also by age groups). You can use this information to state your point as well as the fact that you feed this child.

You are NOT wrong in any way. $15 is way tooooo low. And do you mean 6:30 am to 5:30 pm?

Don't be afraid to say no (to anyone) if you don't want to do something or if you think you deserve more. Just because she cannot afford it doesn't mean you have to give in. Hopefully you can come to a compromise with her financially, otherwise, I suggest you stop babysitting.

good luck sweetie.

Answer 7

I don't know where you live, but here in Missouri I pay $80 a week. That equals up to about $15 dollars a day. If I were you, I would call a local daycare and ask what their weekly rate is. Take that amount and divide by 5. Then, if it is higher than $15 a day, tell the woman about it. If it is about the same, I would count myself lucky that I am getting top dollar for my babysitting services.

Answer 8

I'm geussing you meant 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Anyway, I think you should tell the grandmother that you can't afford to take care of her and feed her for such little pay. If the grandmother says she won't pay more, just tell her you can't babysit her anymore and give her some time to find a new babysitter.

Answer 9

Here's the CERTIFIED letter you want to send this dimwit. The items in ( ) are for you to properly fill in with specifics:

"Hourly rates for babysitting services is $ (specified rate) an hour--NOT subject to negotiation. Based on time frame you, the client, specify--payment is calculated, itemized and expected immediately on a CASH ONLY basis--NO CHECKS. NO MONEY ORDERS. NO CREDIT / ATM / DEBIT CARD PAYMENTS.

Please complete and return to me this form, along with CASH PAYMENT for agreed services. Be sure to write in any and all emergency contact numbers. NOTE: An additional charge of $ 45 per half hour is imposed if late picking up your child. Call (home number) to schedule an appointment or if you have any further questions. Sincerely, ......."

Answer 10

Honesty is the best policy. You can be genuine, caring and compassionate, but still explain to her that although you realize she cannot afford more than $15 a day -- you are unable to provide childcare at that cost due to providing food, your time, etc. and that you really wish you could help her out, but your families finances are important to. Honestly, unless she finds a friend/relative no one will be accept this low of a daily rate, but you may want to recommend she check out DSHS (local government agency) to see if she qualifies for state assistance. If she is fair, she'll understand.

Answer 11

Give her atleast a week notice if she depends on you. Don't just drop her as child care is hard to find. In the future you need to discuss payment rates before taking a job. $15 a day should have sent up a red flag!

I would definately have her find another childcare situation, but she's going to be hard pressed to do so with that budget.