So, OP, fill us in: did you ever hear back?

In the future, if someone invites you to go on a vacation with them, here are some questions to ask beforehand:
-where will you be sleeping?
-what will be paid for? travel/room/all food/on-duty food?
-what will the schedule be? Even a tentative schedule is better than nothing.


The situation is complicated because you accepted without really considering what they were asking.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just confused as to why the 13 yr old needs a babysitter at all and can't be in charge of the 8 yr old. At 13 I was babysitting, and would routinely go to amusement parks with friends and we'd just check in with an adult (in person) every four hours or so.

How old are your children?

At 12, I was babysitting too. This 13 year old may not be capable but they should be ok for a few hours together each with a cell phone and the parents checking in every hour and have a tracker on the cell phone.

This is not a vacation, its a job. Yes, you should be compensated for the hours worked. They are paying for your plane ticket, hotel and expenses as they are requesting you join them to babysit. They are paying for your disney tickets because they want you to take the kids into the park. I did that once, never again. I was on 24/7 even though I was told only a few hours a day and ended up with a few extra kids as well. I had a few hours to myself the entire week. I agree with you sister. I'd want a set schedule and paid for those hours and travel time. Why does a 13 year old need a babysitter? Can't the 13 year old watch the 8 year old for an hour or two while the parents have a nice dinner (or here's an idea, its a family trip and have date night at home).

OP you should be compensated for the time spent watching the children, but the problem here is that you accepted their offer before discussing compensation with them. That's on you and it makes you the unreasonable and unprofessional one. You never should have sent that text.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just confused as to why the 13 yr old needs a babysitter at all and can't be in charge of the 8 yr old. At 13 I was babysitting, and would routinely go to amusement parks with friends and we'd just check in with an adult (in person) every four hours or so.

This. The kids may need minimal babysitting if any and its more of a vacation for you. What would you do otherwise OP? Do you have a regular job you will be losing money if you went?

Oh stop.

Anonymous wrote:I'm just confused as to why the 13 yr old needs a babysitter at all and can't be in charge of the 8 yr old. At 13 I was babysitting, and would routinely go to amusement parks with friends and we'd just check in with an adult (in person) every four hours or so.

This. The kids may need minimal babysitting if any and its more of a vacation for you. What would you do otherwise OP? Do you have a regular job you will be losing money if you went?

Anonymous wrote:I'm just confused as to why the 13 yr old needs a babysitter at all and can't be in charge of the 8 yr old. At 13 I was babysitting, and would routinely go to amusement parks with friends and we'd just check in with an adult (in person) every four hours or so.

How old are your children?

I'm just confused as to why the 13 yr old needs a babysitter at all and can't be in charge of the 8 yr old. At 13 I was babysitting, and would routinely go to amusement parks with friends and we'd just check in with an adult (in person) every four hours or so.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP is more like a mommy helper or maybe a sitter, certainly not a nanny. A nanny would know better.

Will you stop with this insult. Nanny is just as arbitrary a distinction as anything else in a field with no licensing. You just make yourself look bitter and petty.

The defensiveness is unnecessary for your imagined insult.

I think the question here is whether you really want to go, pp. If this is probably the only way you will see those amusement parks and you don't mind hanging out with the kids a lot, don't insist on compensation. I am an MB and we take our nanny on vacation every other year. It is expensive since she gets her own room and overtime comp in addition to her usual pay. It's different being another family member along to help out with the kids so that the parents can have a nice dinner out alone, spa appointments, etc. A family member can kick back and watch the kids like an aunt. A sitter or nanny will be expected to put forward more effort and be more available. I personally think you should receive additional compensation but only you can decide if that is a deal-breaker.

Anonymous wrote:OP is more like a mommy helper or maybe a sitter, certainly not a nanny. A nanny would know better.

Will you stop with this insult. Nanny is just as arbitrary a distinction as anything else in a field with no licensing. You just make yourself look bitter and petty.

OP is more like a mommy helper or maybe a sitter, certainly not a nanny. A nanny would know better.

You're being screwed.

It's a working vacation.

You're first problem was not setting a pay per day
Then you're hours. Are you expected to stay with the family during the day or can you go to the parks alone. Then that goes to food, who's paying? Did you talk about a per diem for that.
Now what about rooms? Is your room separate from the family or are you in a room with them (even a suite- you need your own space). What about room service? Are they paying?

Personally they are trying to do this a cheap way.

I am a nanny and in my contract I get a set amount per day (I won't give the amount but it's between $500 and $800 per day) but I'm on call for 24 hrs, so I'm paid for all 24 hrs. Though my bosses tell me ahead of time what days I'll have free and what nights. I also get my own room and a per diem for all food. I travel very often with my nanny family.

She gets no money and no trip if she doesn't go, remember. She's not a full time nanny with guaranteed hours.

What would you be doing instead that week, OP?