How can I nicely tell the lady I babysit for that I cannot watch her son again until I've been paid. I've tried to be understanding her ex is recently unemployed but he decided he'd rather pay me then have his child an extra 8 hrs. I've only been paid once. This extra $20 a week is what I use to take my kids out to do something fun. I don't want to hurt her feelings but I feel lik he's really taking advantage and using being unemployed as an excuse not to pay me.
I run an in home Daycare and I charge a late fee if payment isn't received by closing time on Friday. I charge 10.00 if payment is not received by drop off on Mondayand 5.00 per day after that. When I implemented the late fee my chronic late payer pulled their kids from care lol
I'm not that great at being subtle...I would approach her with sincere empathy for her struggles, and explain that while you want to help out you don't want to be taken advantage of. Try to give her a deadline (such as the end of the week) to pay instead of just "not at all" so she's not left high and dry.
"I'm sorry, I really love little Billy, but I can't watch him again until I've been paid."
If you can muster up the courage to say this one little phrase now, it will empower you for the rest of your life. Try it. It's scary the first time, but once you do it, you will find out how easy it is, and it will feel good.
If you are considering this as a business transaction and not an emotional transaction, the act accordingly. This child has an outstanding balance of $___. I would mail a letter to both parents (exact same wording) along the lines of:
Date ______
Dear Mr. ____ & Ms. ______,
As of today July 19, 2011 you have a balance of _______ for services rendered on the following days ( ). This balance is due no later than _____. If you are unable to do so, I will no longer be able to care for your child until that balance is paid.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Rachel K.
Keep a copy for yourself and stick to it! If they bring you a check, cash or money order. Great. If they don't, then do not take care of the child. I know it's harsh, but the father is taking advantage of YOU and having a letter indicating his lack of responsibility will be relevant in court when the mother has to sue for additional child support OR when you sue for the balance.
Either way, this situation isn't a profitable one for you and if they were using a licensed provider they wouldn't be able to get away with this either!
You tell them you are no longer going to run a tab - they need to settle up for what they owe you and in future all babysitting must be paid in advance (when they drop child off).
I've seen commercial daycare places do this.
It's amazing how they can come up with a cashiers check or cash in 20 min to a half hour so they can then leave the child at day care.
You need to more or less force them into making paying you a priority.
If they don't come back, you are free to find another child to babysit.
Rachel...stand up for yourself!!! tell them that you appreciate their tough situation but you need to be paid for your services and can't watch him until you are paid....simple.
Yeah - it's tough to confront someone...but you are a good woman and you deserve to be paid for your services...it's okay to demand it!!
only you can protect your interests....don't let the fact that this was "extra" $$ prevent you from standing up for yourself.
Take this issue to the ex...don't put the mom in the middle.
Do the hard think for you and tell them the truth. don't judge that he is leaving his kids with you but you need the money to continue. I feel for the son who per you lacking a dad.
ooh Rachel...you need to stand up for yourself....
No, being unemployed is NOT an excuse to NOT pay you...however, he may be out interviewing or doing phone screens that require a quiet background...does it mean 8 hours a day? no...
however, you MUST stand up for yourself and say - look - I can't watch your son until I am paid...I am doing you a service...we had an agreement...that agreement was....x y z....I need to be paid...once you are paid, I will watch your son again...
thank you!!
I know it's awkward, but you've gotta ask for your cash! Otherwise, you will become the FREE babysitter by default. Good luck, that's a tough one!
in my daughters daycare contract it says in quotes "you dont work for free, niether do I" i def. agree with everyone that says you need to get it in writing tho
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Well, its your business. If he was working and not getting paid I believe he would say something. You are not running a charity you are running a business. I liked the post below about the letter. You need this in writing.
ummm..you need to get paid and the $20 is a real cheap price and you are being so nice about it. As unfortunate as this situation is you'll have to take a stand and be direct. I need to be paid or no babysitting. I am sorry this happening. I feel bad for the boy :(
You need to just come out and tell her Im sorry but until you pay me for allready watching your son as well as prepay any future times I cannot watch your son. You are running a for profit business and as Stacey B. pointed out you are not a charity. I would also make sure you have a written agreement that clearly states that she needs to prepay for your services before you watch her son again.
Big sign on the front door, NO PAY, NO STAY.
I like the direct letter to him if he's supposed to be paying. You can cc her. Since she is apparently someone you care about, you can tell her nicely what you've said in your post, without the part about what you use $20 for. That is an incredibly low rate for 8 hours of child care. The mother will have to make the father actually spend time with his son if that's in the visitation agreement. If she's working and he's not, then he has time to be a dad. He can interview the other 6 days a week.
I agree you are not running a charity. You are a professional and cannot allow them to take advantage of you. As difficult as their situation is, it's not yours to solve.
