Anonymous
06/22/2015 10:01
Subject: A friend/neighbor treated my teenage daughter like a slave when she babysat for them
I'm having a very hard time not judging that woman very harshly. It shows a lot about who she in taking advantage of a teen and a friend's teen at that.
Anonymous
06/22/2015 10:00
Subject: A friend/neighbor treated my teenage daughter like a slave when she babysat for them
Cleaning out the fridge is above and beyond, as is laundry if there was no previous agreement that this would be part of the babysitter's duties.
But OP, your invocation of slavery in this context is kind of gross and trivializing. Please think about your language use a little more.
But OP, your invocation of slavery in this context is kind of gross and trivializing. Please think about your language use a little more.
Anonymous
06/22/2015 09:58
Subject: Re:A friend/neighbor treated my teenage daughter like a slave when she babysat for them
There's no way I would expect a 15 year old babysitter to do that! It wouldn't even cross my mind to ask. She was employed to babysit, not house keep!
Anonymous
06/22/2015 09:58
Subject: A friend/neighbor treated my teenage daughter like a slave when she babysat for them
I wouldn't call it slavery but I'd definitely make sure that next time she spells out her roles and responsibilities. A babysitter is not a housekeeper or a cleaning lady. Sure she can pick up toys after the kids are gone to bed but cleaning the refrigerator is not part of her job.
FWIW, we have a nanny for our 5 yr DS. We had her for 3 years now. Never ever did we ask her to clean up the fridge or do laundry or vacuum. At most she cleans up DS' toys together with DS, she fixes him snack and dinner after she gets him from preschool.
FWIW, we have a nanny for our 5 yr DS. We had her for 3 years now. Never ever did we ask her to clean up the fridge or do laundry or vacuum. At most she cleans up DS' toys together with DS, she fixes him snack and dinner after she gets him from preschool.
Anonymous
06/22/2015 09:55
Subject: Re:A friend/neighbor treated my teenage daughter like a slave when she babysat for them
^^ PP To me aside from the extra duties, it just was not worth it. I was not close with the neighbors and they would ask my DD to babysit their very young babies and other toddlers. I was a nervous wreck being on call in case something happened. The parents were always late coming home. I thought: what if something happens -- my DD will be the one they turn on. Just too much stress with neighbors I hardly knew. Could be very different for others -- just my feeling.
Anonymous
06/22/2015 09:53
Subject: A friend/neighbor treated my teenage daughter like a slave when she babysat for them
Anonymous wrote:You do realize this is way more than minimum wage? For $8 an hour, McDonalds employees are cleaning the bathrooms and scrubbing machines when it's slow. I don't think it was unexpected. I always did dishes when I babysat and made sure the playroom was immaculate. What else would I do when the kids were asleep?
If she doesn't like the money, ask for more. If she doesn't like the jobs, say no. It's all up to her.
Oh come on, stop being such a harda$$ to make your point. I did dishes and cleaned the playroom, too, but there's a lot of space between those two things and cleaning out the refrigerator and doing the family laundry. Give me a break.
Anonymous
06/22/2015 09:52
Subject: A friend/neighbor treated my teenage daughter like a slave when she babysat for them
Paying her $12/hr to put some clothes in the washing machine and dryer is not "treating her like a slave".
Work for her or don't work for her but get some perspective.
Work for her or don't work for her but get some perspective.
Anonymous
06/22/2015 09:51
Subject: A friend/neighbor treated my teenage daughter like a slave when she babysat for them
Anonymous wrote:Lesson learned. Maybe you can help your daughter come up with some documents she gives new families:
- What you can expect from me while babysitting & prices/how to schedule
- Emergency contact & health information form for parents to fill out
- Extra services offered with prices (if she wants to do that stuff for extra money - she could make a killing!)
I would be super impressed by a teenage babysitter who had those three documents for me and would likely go ahead and book some of her extra services happily.
LOVE that idea. I think most people would die for someone to do their laundry when their kids are asleep
Anonymous
06/22/2015 09:51
Subject: A friend/neighbor treated my teenage daughter like a slave when she babysat for them
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My DD is 15 and a very nice, responsible girl. She has two younger brothers and has taken babysitting courses along with CPR. DD sat for our neighbor on Saturday and our neighbor had her cleaning out her refrigerator and doing all of the family's laundry once the kids went to bed. The neighbors also came home 1 hour later than they promised. All for $12 an hour.
Obviously, that is the one and only time DD will ever sit for them but I was also wondering if I should say something to this neighbor (a woman I once considered a friend).
Nope, don't say anything. Consider that a lesson learned. If they keep bothering your daughter or you about future babysitting, then say something.
+1. The neighbor took advantage of her, but word of mouth cuts both ways. She might find herself in a pickle the next time she tries to hire a babysitter.
Anonymous
06/22/2015 09:50
Subject: Re:A friend/neighbor treated my teenage daughter like a slave when she babysat for them
OP I had the same experience. Not the refrigerator, but similar. People have some odd ideas about teens, especially other people's teens. I did not say anything to the neighbor (you're a ridiculous entitled b***h!! was my thought) I just passed around the word that my teens were unavailable. just so busy!!
Anonymous
06/22/2015 09:49
Subject: A friend/neighbor treated my teenage daughter like a slave when she babysat for them
Lesson learned. Maybe you can help your daughter come up with some documents she gives new families:
- What you can expect from me while babysitting & prices/how to schedule
- Emergency contact & health information form for parents to fill out
- Extra services offered with prices (if she wants to do that stuff for extra money - she could make a killing!)
I would be super impressed by a teenage babysitter who had those three documents for me and would likely go ahead and book some of her extra services happily.
- What you can expect from me while babysitting & prices/how to schedule
- Emergency contact & health information form for parents to fill out
- Extra services offered with prices (if she wants to do that stuff for extra money - she could make a killing!)
I would be super impressed by a teenage babysitter who had those three documents for me and would likely go ahead and book some of her extra services happily.
Anonymous
06/22/2015 09:48
Subject: A friend/neighbor treated my teenage daughter like a slave when she babysat for them
You do realize this is way more than minimum wage? For $8 an hour, McDonalds employees are cleaning the bathrooms and scrubbing machines when it's slow. I don't think it was unexpected. I always did dishes when I babysat and made sure the playroom was immaculate. What else would I do when the kids were asleep?
If she doesn't like the money, ask for more. If she doesn't like the jobs, say no. It's all up to her.
If she doesn't like the money, ask for more. If she doesn't like the jobs, say no. It's all up to her.
Anonymous
06/22/2015 09:46
Subject: A friend/neighbor treated my teenage daughter like a slave when she babysat for them
Anonymous wrote:My DD is 15 and a very nice, responsible girl. She has two younger brothers and has taken babysitting courses along with CPR. DD sat for our neighbor on Saturday and our neighbor had her cleaning out her refrigerator and doing all of the family's laundry once the kids went to bed. The neighbors also came home 1 hour later than they promised. All for $12 an hour.
Obviously, that is the one and only time DD will ever sit for them but I was also wondering if I should say something to this neighbor (a woman I once considered a friend).
Nope, don't say anything. Consider that a lesson learned. If they keep bothering your daughter or you about future babysitting, then say something.
Anonymous
06/22/2015 09:45
Subject: Re:A friend/neighbor treated my teenage daughter like a slave when she babysat for them
Teach your daughter to say no. That will be a valuable lesson for her.
And no, this wasn't slavery.
And no, this wasn't slavery.
Anonymous
06/22/2015 09:44
Subject: A friend/neighbor treated my teenage daughter like a slave when she babysat for them
My DD is 15 and a very nice, responsible girl. She has two younger brothers and has taken babysitting courses along with CPR. DD sat for our neighbor on Saturday and our neighbor had her cleaning out her refrigerator and doing all of the family's laundry once the kids went to bed. The neighbors also came home 1 hour later than they promised. All for $12 an hour.
Obviously, that is the one and only time DD will ever sit for them but I was also wondering if I should say something to this neighbor (a woman I once considered a friend).
Obviously, that is the one and only time DD will ever sit for them but I was also wondering if I should say something to this neighbor (a woman I once considered a friend).