Hurt feelings, and parents not paying well

[Anonymous]

Just a quick question on your experience. I am a babysitter for multiple families and usually booked out most weekend, and some evenings when I don't have classes, so with all that, I get really closes to the kids I take care of and I get to know them and their families. So, for their birthdays, Christmas and little occasions, I usually get them little gifts (and most of the parents do the same for me,some even remember my birthday, get me gifts and a cake); so my vent is related to this one specific family that I started working for because they met me through their neighbors and got my phone number. They are quite weird sometimes, but I love their kids. So, we did not specifically talk about compensation, and they did not bother asking me, they just presumed they would pay me the $12 their neighbors pay me, which I don't mind, but the pattern they developed is that they most of the time tend to not pay me for the full hour when they get home at lets say 9.45 pm,they would pay me just until 9 pm or 9.30 pm. And sometimes, they just omit a full hour, and I only count the money once I get home. Talking about money with the families sometimes makes me uncomfortable, so I just decided to be unavailable from then on for them. But during Christmas time, I got gifts for all the kids I babysit including their kids, and they loved their gifts, but I also got the parents a small card in which i wished them a merry Christmas and happy new year, and wishes for the new year. A few hour before I got there, the mom texted me asking me if I could stay for about 2 hours, since I was already coming and that the kids asked if I could stay a little and play with them. I agreed to that, but they came home 3 hours later and only paid me for two hours (their pattern ), but to add insult to injury, I was preparing a snack for the kids, and had to put something in the trash, and what do i see when i open the trash can? THE CARD i gave them. It kind of hurt because I put some thoughts into writing that card, and I also bought a really nice set of cards that I used for all the families, but they could have waited for me to leave before doing that!!! I was so hurt....anyways, sorry for the long vent, Iwas wondering if any of you had a similar experience. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

You're still upset over something that happened at Christmas?

[Anonymous]

You should not be afraid to discuss compensation with these people. You are the only person who can look out for you.
Count the money before you leave. If they short you, simply say "It seems as though you mistakenly paid me until 9:00, instead of 10:00. I can accept a check right now for the $12."
Prior to accepting work with a family, you should always tell them your rate. When you buy groceries, does the cashier get flustered when telling you what you owe?
Does a mechanic feel awkward about telling you what he charges? The answer is NO.
You are offering a service which costs money. They don't get to decide what you earn. You do!!
I would not work for idiots like that
Stand up for yourself.

[Anonymous]

This is a job jot a friendship. Boundaries.

[Anonymous]

OP here- I am not still upset, I just remembered this incident and I wanted to know if any of you had a similar experience and if anyone would be willing to share.

The last two PPs, thank you for your advice, I have decided not to accept any work from them anymore to avoid this type of situation in the future.

[Anonymous]

Ohh...Ouch OP...So sorry you had to experience that one. I feel your pain.
That would be very painful for me to see.

You're right, they could have at least waited until you left.

You know, there are some unfeeling idiots in this world. What can we do?

To those who skimp on payments, I would just not baby~sit for them in the future rather than making a fuss over the money. Let them screw some other sitter over.

[Anonymous]

I had this happen to me in the past. So now I write out bills for the family so I know I'm always paid accurately. I write the number of hours I work and the charge for my hourly fee. I tell them I write everything out so we can both keep accurate records. My husband is an engineer and the type of guy who budgets everything, so I kind of laugh when I give them the bill (but I always call it a receipt to the families) and blame it on my husband's craziness. That way the parents don't feel like I'm billing them and I always get paid accurately.

[Anonymous]

OP, those parents sound like nickel and dimers. The PP who said you should just be straightforward about what you owe had it right. I like the approach of writing a "receipt" for the exact amount you should be paid.

Don't feel bad. One other idea for the future is to make a short list of your policies for babysitting that you can email or bring a printed copy of for parents. That way there are no misunderstandngs later.