Have you ever canceled a date-night babysitting job for another one that pays better?

[Anonymous]

I can't be the only one to do this (with a few days notice), right?

[Anonymous]

No I have not. Commitments are commitments and I get that families cancel on us all the time. As a nanny my work schedule fluctuates daily. However I try to live my life being a responsible and reliable person. Do I get walked all over yes sometimes but that's on them not on me. I'm a God fearing person and try to live my life in a way God would be proud of me for.

I'm sure people will say of course do it and why is she bringing God into this but for me when I'm faced with a decision on doing something right or wrong that's what I think about. Is the extra money worth it for me to break a commitment, no.

[Anonymous]

Yes I have. Not often, but I have, and I don't believe it makes me an awful person. This is a business transaction, that's all. You have to pay a competitive rate to retain my business. If its too easy for me to find a better job, you aren't competitive. It's not the same thing as promising to do something for a friend. With a few days notice, I would definitely take the better paying job or work for the better family (leaves dinner for me, shows up on time, well behaved kids).

And PP is exactly right; her advice will get you walked all over. This is not a moral decision, its a business decision. When you enter this type of agreement, you understand that the other party is going to serve their interest, and you should serve yours. Your job is to be what they need, and they you. If they aren't what you need, you move on. PP is exactly the kind of nanny on here whining about how her bosses don't "care" about her or how she's going to pay her bills when they do x, y, z.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes I have. Not often, but I have, and I don't believe it makes me an awful person. This is a business transaction, that's all. You have to pay a competitive rate to retain my business. If its too easy for me to find a better job, you aren't competitive. It's not the same thing as promising to do something for a friend. With a few days notice, I would definitely take the better paying job or work for the better family (leaves dinner for me, shows up on time, well behaved kids).

And PP is exactly right; her advice will get you walked all over. This is not a moral decision, its a business decision. When you enter this type of agreement, you understand that the other party is going to serve their interest, and you should serve yours. Your job is to be what they need, and they you. If they aren't what you need, you move on. PP is exactly the kind of nanny on here whining about how her bosses don't "care" about her or how she's going to pay her bills when they do x, y, z.

The whole competitive rates spiel is an excuse. If you didn't like the initial offer you wouldn't have accepted it. I get it, you do what you have to do to survive. But you should be honest with yourself enough to at least admit on an anonymous forum that you're unreliable and break commitments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No I have not. Commitments are commitments and I get that families cancel on us all the time. As a nanny my work schedule fluctuates daily. However I try to live my life being a responsible and reliable person. Do I get walked all over yes sometimes but that's on them not on me. I'm a God fearing person and try to live my life in a way God would be proud of me for.

I'm sure people will say of course do it and why is she bringing God into this but for me when I'm faced with a decision on doing something right or wrong that's what I think about. Is the extra money worth it for me to break a commitment, no.

Getting walked on IS in you. You made a choice to be walked all over. While Jesus said to live morally, being walked all over and not speaking up for yourself is not something that is how he wants you to live. Have integrity but also know to stand up for yourself. You're ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

OP here: The rate may be fine, but it's not exactly competitive. If somebody's willing to pay me $5/hr extra for more hours, why shouldn't I take it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: The rate may be fine, but it's not exactly competitive. If somebody's willing to pay me $5/hr extra for more hours, why shouldn't I take it?

Take it. You don't make much money, it would be silly not to.
But to answer your question, one reason you shouldn't it evade its not nice.
Imagine you got a great deal on a facial, someone else wanted to book a facial at the same time and offered more money. The spa gave her the facial and cancelled on you. Better deal for them, but kind of screwy for you, right?

[Anonymous]

*its not evade

[Anonymous]

You're making a ridiculous comparison as a spa wouldn't cancel completely on a client; they would likely reschedule so the spa would be able to serve both clients.

As a human resource, I don't have that option so I need to look out for myself.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I have a few times and don't regret it. Most of the time these are the same families that will cancel on me saying 'grandma, aunt, etc can watch him or I decided to stay home, etc.' I feel no guilt or regret for wanting to make more money if they feel the same about saving money.

[Anonymous]

It's unprofessional and I wouldn't use the nanny again if I can't rely on her. I expect any nanny/babysitter we hire to be an adult and clearly state her rates. If I accept that rate I rightly assume we have an agreement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's unprofessional and I wouldn't use the nanny again if I can't rely on her. I expect any nanny/babysitter we hire to be an adult and clearly state her rates. If I accept that rate I rightly assume we have an agreement.

If a sitter cancels on you because she was offered a better rate, significant enough to justify the action, its probably not some huge loss to lose you as a client, FYI. If she gives you a few days notice, and it doesn't happen often, I fail to see how that's unreliable. That is unless you're an MB who pays the full amount when she cancels, which I so highly doubt you are. It goes both ways lady.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's unprofessional and I wouldn't use the nanny again if I can't rely on her. I expect any nanny/babysitter we hire to be an adult and clearly state her rates. If I accept that rate I rightly assume we have an agreement.

If a sitter cancels on you because she was offered a better rate, significant enough to justify the action, its probably not some huge loss to lose you as a client, FYI. If she gives you a few days notice, and it doesn't happen often, I fail to see how that's unreliable. That is unless you're an MB who pays the full amount when she cancels, which I so highly doubt you are. It goes both ways lady.

To clarify, I mean an MB who pays the full amount when it is the MB who cancels, not the sitter.

[Anonymous]

Yup. I have one family that pays $20 an hour for one kid, it is always 5 hours or more needed and they regularly tip an hour or more of pay.

If I am scheduled with another family with 3 kids, 4 hours and $13 an hour or similarly for date night care, I will refer a friend. Always works out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
It's unprofessional and I wouldn't use the nanny again if I can't rely on her. I expect any nanny/babysitter we hire to be an adult and clearly state her rates. If I accept that rate I rightly assume we have an agreement.


If a sitter cancels on you because she was offered a better rate, significant enough to justify the action, its probably not some huge loss to lose you as a client, FYI. If she gives you a few days notice, and it doesn't happen often, I fail to see how that's unreliable. That is unless you're an MB who pays the full amount when she cancels, which I so highly doubt you are. It goes both ways lady.

Different MB here. I think this is where we disagree. This isn't a justification for breaking a commitment. If I accepted your rate and booked your time, you committed to that rate and time. If you cancel for another job, you are unreliable and don't honor your commitments and I would not hire you again or recommend you. You may not care and that's fine. But that's what you're doing. Make no mistake.