I think some good advice has been given. Talk to them in person, no letter. Implement a 24 hr rule for babysitting. OP what do you think about the advice given? I think there has been some good takeaway. Any thoughts?

It would be nice if instead of always harping on an OP on her incorrect grammar, the question asked would be answered or advice given.

OP, I gree with pp that you need to ask in person and not write a letter.

Well, first when you approach them I would try to cool your attitude. Approaching them in the manner you are responding to some PPs won't get you what you want.


Tell them you need to have a 24 hr cancellation policy so that you can try to get another gig if they cancel. Don't make it something outrageous so that if their kid gets sick they still make you come in as to not have to pay a large amount to cancel, but don't make it small enough that they don't think it is a big deal.

What do you charge an hour?

But you need to do this in person and not via letter. If you wanted to be treated as a professional, you need to act like one as well. GL

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like OP wants to implement a cancellation policy for babysitting that is a week or more notice. I don't think that is reasonable. HOwever, I am also having a REALLY hard time understanding OP...she doesn't seem too smart.

What I'm talking about is when the parent who I occasionally babysit for call me or text me two hours before I'm due to arrive to cancel not 24 hours....And this even happens with the family on Saturdays who calls out oftern

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like OP wants to implement a cancellation policy for babysitting that is a week or more notice. I don't think that is reasonable. HOwever, I am also having a REALLY hard time understanding OP...she doesn't seem too smart.

Ask me a question and let me know what you don't understand.....How about trying that before you try to determine my knowledge level? I'm at work while typing this and have you ever stopped to think I didn't have the time to type out a well drafted essay for an anonymous website..it doesn't mean I'm not smart...

It sounds like OP wants to implement a cancellation policy for babysitting that is a week or more notice. I don't think that is reasonable. HOwever, I am also having a REALLY hard time understanding OP...she doesn't seem too smart.

You should talk to them in person AND draft a letter, to follow the conversation and ensure full understanding. Tell them that you've realized you need a reliable schedule so you can fill any open gaps with work at the childcare center or with other families and will be asking for Xdays notice if they need to cancel. For nanny jobs. 1-2 weeks notice is reasonable. For babysitting, 24 hours notice is most common. Let them know that this is your livelihood and you need to be able to plan ahead financially so you will be implementing a cancellation fee of $X whenever they can't give you enough notice. They ought to be very understanding of this but if they're not it may be time to find a new position that can guarantee you hours.

Just ask for a couple weeks in advance so you can plan ahead. Let them know what you told us here; that you give them first priority and when they cancel on you it costs you that day's work. Just have an honest discussion with them. If they can't meet your needs, move on.

I can't really understand part of what you are writing, but are you saying sometimes they let you know a week in advance? Honestly, I wouldn't even think about charging a cancellation fee for anything more than 24 hours notice. If you demand a fee for a weeks notice cancellation, I'm sure you can expect them to find another sitter who is a bit more flexible and mature.

hmm... I think that since you likely don't have a contract with these people, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have any kind of "cancellation fee" recourse.

You could tell them that you will charge them a fee, but they will likely find another babysitter.

Honestly is anyone going to give me any REAL advice or are you just just to criticize everything else??????

No one will take you seriously with all those question marks.

How?????

A letter won't work. You need to be an adult and discuss this in person.

Background info- I have been babysitting and nannying for two out of three of my nanny families going on two years. I love them, watched there kids grow up and there have been no issues except ONE. They clearly do not value my time that I set aside for them each week. they always randomly call off and its getting to be too much. I work a third job at a childcare three days a week and if one of my familes call and say they need me to babysit 80 percent of the time I take off. When they cancel last minute I'm left with nothing. My one family I watch the child every Saturday and gave up my availibilty when this job started for Saturdays and they have been the ones to cancel the most. They let me know a week in advance when they are going on vacation sometimes weeks at a time. Which again means no pay...And it's not enough notice to work at my other job. How do I get these familes to understand that like them I have a life and a budget to maintain?????

So my questions are....

Am I wrong for starting to charge a cancelation fee to the familes who cancel last minute (occasional)??????If so how much is reasonable?????

How to I explain to my steady gig familes that it will no longer be okay for them to randomly call off and expect not to pay?????
And that im not okay with making the days up. With a daycare there is no negotiation at you still have to pay for your days. I want to be able to expect the same. I'm thinking about sending out a letter since I'm horrible about confronting things like this face to face,

Can someone please possibly help me draft out a well worded letter.....