If a parent phoned you up to babysit because of an emergency(illness, job interview, funeral, school cancelled) and you didn't really know the parent or child, would you do it? Would money make a difference? What if the child was sick?
I have gotten calls from people I met at my child's school, church, mom's club, and the neighorhood. In some cases, we have not really even met the child. We have done it a few times when it is a true emergency because if we were in need, we would want help. We say NO everytime to sick kids because we don't want to be sick and my husband is already disabled so getting the flu can be very serious and put him in the hospital, which exposes him to more germs.
I have had numerous people ask me to babysit on a regular basis and I refuse. I honestly don't know why people keep asking other than I am at home and do sometimes babysit my friend's kids IF they get along with my child.
I have done it...a friend of a friend, last minute situation. They knew I had a son of my own, they were young and I guess they trusted me. I would not have asked them to watch my son but I was willing to watch theirs. I didn't ask for payment nor did they offer and yes I would do it again.
I can't imagine asking someone who I don't know to watch my child but it doesn't mean I wouldn't watch theirs.
I would if it was a true emergency, like someone has to go to the ER for something. I wouldn't do it for most other reasons.
I love kids and so if it were me, most likely I would say yes. But, it would depend on the situation--true emergency---yes- but if they wanted childcare on a reg. basis and they happened to spring it on me as an "emergency" then I would say no. I don't make that kind of commitment just spur of the moment. I would need time to think about it and see how it would affect my family. If you are getting asked regularly, have you said something to warrant this kind of attention? Maybe someone got the wrong impression that you are available or seeking work-like childcare...Is that possible? If not, maybe then the next time someone approaches you and you don't want to do it and you are sure that you won't in the future, then I would say that you are not comfortable watching other people's kids and this is your time with your child. Period. No explaination is needed--Its not like you owe people a reason....Be firm and straightforward-hopefully they will get the message and word will get around that you are not interested!
Molly
For someone I barely know:
An ACTUAL emergency... probably. I consider actual emergencies to be life or death related. Like someone is suddenly in the hospital, or arrested.
For merely in a tight spot... maybe. (jewish funeral, school cancelled for snow, etc.) Totally would depend on what my plans were.
For things someone knew was coming (christian funeral, no school etc.) and just didn't bother to arrange childcare for... probably not. Not at the last minute, unless they just happened to catch me at a 'perfect time' (which is super rare).
I'm only willing to be Plan B for very VERY close friends of myself OR my son (any of his besties)... and NOT if the child is violently ill. If they are ill, they can go to Virginia Mason Sick Child Daycare (or another hospital's sick child daycare)... but I'll happily give them the phone number to VMSCDC.
Because I'm a SAHM a lot of dual income families have made the mistake of thinking that I don't have anything better to be doing or that I = free childcare. I learned my lesson on that a few years ago... but people STILL ask at least a couple times a month (people I barely know), and some of my dual-income-ex-friends were the worst. They didn't want to pay a nanny for 50 hours a week of childcare and so just started trying to use me instead. Nope. Huh-uh. Not gonna fly. I had offered "in a tight spot"... a tight spot does not equal every day for MONTHS.
See this gripe of mine and the 48 responses for more on that subject, which is a cousin of "emergency" basis childcare. Because so many people seem to assume that emergency = whenever.
http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/17804342602795974657
Emergency situation probably. But I would define emergency as death in the family or something similar. A funeral is last-minute, but arrangements can still be made, as with school being canceled. Parents need to have a plan B in my opinion. When you have children you have to know that your child is going to get sick at the most inopportune time---like when you have that "can't miss" meeting at work your kid comes down with 103 degree fever in the morning. Your daycare can not be expected to take your child when they are sick, so parents really need to have a plan B in an emergency like this. If you are being approached ahead of time in the case of a situation like this comes up for the parent, then I think that is fine. If you have never met the child and they are calling you the day of, then I don't think that is okay unless it is a true life or death emergency. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do, but I can't imagine dropping my daughter off to a total stranger without any prior arrangement. You really need to provide more info for us to give a meaningful answer.
I most often say yes, we pretty much have an open door policy at our house. I have a house full as it is, (6 kids) but I'm always being asked to watch one (Or 4/5) out of my 10 nieces/nephews, along with my friends & acquaintances kids, & yes even total strangers. I really don't mind, 1 more play mate for my kids, & if they don't get along well with each other I use it as a good patience/communication lesson for my kids. If it's an actual true emergency I'm usually always there to help, pretty much no matter what I'm doing or where I'm at I'll drop what I'm doing to help. If the persons just in a tight spot, like everyday babysitter got sick at the last Min. & M. just cannot afford to take another sick day, then I make a nice point of letting them know this can't be a super regular/take advantage thing but will totally help if I can. As far as sickness goes, life just doesn't stop because my kid(s) get sick. If the other kid is sick I really don't mind them coming over as long as their not puking their guts out or have meningitis or something of the sorts LoL I'm always watching kids with green snoggy noses, sneezes /coughs, the works. I'm majorly into the Natural healing/ natural preventative health, so my kids have pretty darn strong immune systems, & if they catch the common cold or flues from a kid I just figure it par for the course, I don't get upset or curse the M. for sending a sick kid to my house. If anything it's just one more way to build their immunity against the common sicknesses they'll come across at the park or grocery store anyways. I think it's because of that, that my kids hardly get sick, & when they do it's usually in it's mildest form.
That's just me tho, you shouldn't feel pressured or obligated to say yes. Nor should you feel bad for saying no. The sick kids thing is different since your husband is disabled. About the money thing, I don't accept money from my brother's/sisters, or my closest closest friends. BUT I do expect them to help me when I need it. Also If it's a TRUE emergency, like last week a M. in my daughters class that I've met once, unexpededly wound up in the hospital for 2 weeks. Grandma couldn't fly in till the 5th day & dad had to work then visit M. after work, so dad remembering that I do foster care called an aquaintance we have in common who has my number, she called me & I picked the kids up an hour later. The grandma tried to pay me when she got here, but I refused. BUT in the case of babysitter called in sick M. can't afford to take a sick day, you bet I'll take the money! Lol If she offers it to me that is, I wouldn't force the issue of payment if it was a one time thing, but if babysitter is out sick all week then yeah I'd ask to be paid.
I have done this before as long as my schedule was available and they were willing to pay the amount I asked for. When I was younger it was the best way for me to get babysitting families lined up. I actually got referred to a few people and got some random phone calls for emergencies and then become a regular sitter after that.
If it was an emergency and i was able to do it with my schedule- of course. Stuff comes up and parents need to help each other out, i'm sure the parent would be very grateful, perhaps you could make a new friend, and someone to help you out if needed.
If there were a true emergency (someone being taken to the hospital, school closing early, etc) yes I would babysit if I was available and didn't have other committments. I've been blessed to have neighbors and friends who have helped me out on a few occassions. Since it's a once is a great while type of situation, I wouldn't expect any money, but woudn't turn it down if it were offered.
No I would not watch a child with an illness that could spread to myself or my family.
I think people are asking you to watch their kids for several reasons, they trust you and you have a good reputation in the community, child care on a temporary basis is very difficult to find, everyone can use a little extra income now and then.
An absolute emergency (someone dying, no one to watch child while new baby is born, etc. etc.): probably. Anything else: no. Money makes no difference.
It would kind of depend how I know this person and why they think I would even be a good person to call. I'd think it would be a little weird to be phoned up randomly by someone who didn't know me that well to ask if I would watch their child. If it were, say, a parent at my son's preschool who sent out a group e-mail to the other parents, then, yes, I'd probably do it if I could. Money wouldn't make a difference. I'd prefer not to do it if the child were sick, because I have kids of my own that I want to keep healthy. Depends how sick s/he is, I guess. Runny nose/cough is my limit. Anything more, no.
Hard to answer. Probably if it was person I was friendly with personally or professionally and it was a serious emergency. However, if someone I barely spoke to came to me because they knew I was a M. or something, I probably would say no. It also would depend on the age of child. It would take a lot more convicing to wach an infant or toddler by anyone than a 5 or 10 year old,
I would just because I'd feel bad if they didn't get a job to support their child or something happened to the child that I could've prevented. How do they know you? I personally wouldn't leave my child with someone I didn't know.
would you leave your child with someone you barley know and someone who's never met them? probably not, if you wouldn't do it to your kids then don't do it to somone else's. unless it is my regular job as a babysitter, i dont' like for kids (any one) to even come over for recreation that is sick.
a moto i go by on babysitting or what ever the case, if i wouldn't allow my OWN child to do what is being asked, then i wont do it to another child (making her go with a total stranger is one thing i WILL NOT do)
A neighbor asked me last week. I would for her kids but her nephew was there and I didn't know him so I said no. A little while later he shoved my youngest then tried to lie about it so I'm glad I said no. It would depend, I knew this wasn't an emergency and I had all 3 of mine acting up so it just didn't work for me. Under better circumstances I probably would.
I would help out in a pinch because my husband is in the military and deployed. We are constantly moving and I work from home, so it takes me a long time to meet people and make friends. I have been sick while he was gone and needed to go to the ER. I have been forced to take my children with me to the emergency room for hours on end. I would LOVE to have someone whom I don't know all that well help me, but then I would also be leery of leaving my children with someone whom I do not know all that well. However, since I understand how this need could present itself, I would help anyone out, if I could. Good luck!
I have a home daycare, so a different issue for me. However, it all depends on how comfortable you feel. If it was me, I would do it to help out and have the money. I wouldn't babysit for anyone sick, and would definitely charge something otherwise, you will be taken advantage of, and harder to charge the next time they call. If they know you well enough to have your name and number, I would do it, although not everyone would, also depends on if you have the time and what they expect of you as well, in regards to your time.
