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"My Cheapskate Parents Experience"

I got an email from a babysitter about her experience last week.  I can't believe this one.  She wrote:

"Last week I babysat for a family that originally asked me to come at 6:30pm.  At 6:15pm, just when I was about to leave, the dad texted me asking me to come at 7pm.  So, I replied saying that it was fine.  I got there, played with the kids, put them to bed, and hung out until the parents got home.  The parents got home at 9:20 and only paid me from 7-9:20. This made me SO angry since they asked me 15 minutes before I was supposed to be there to come 30 minutes later.  They should have paid me from the original time.  And the fact that they only paid until 9:20, not 9:30 just makes me sick.  Help me, Hoboken Nanny!"

So, girl, I am so disgusted by people like this.  This has happened to me in the past and I never worked for them again.  I do not have time for people who treat me like the help.  And either should you.  You are their babysitter and if they don't respect your life and time, then you should stop working for them.  

It is disrespectful for parents to ask to come later and not pay from the original time.  Parents, does it ever occur to you that your Nanny and Babysitter are accepting the job to watch your kids because they need the money?  We don't make millions.  If you tell your Babysitter to come at 6:30 and then you decide for him or her to come later, stop being a cheap ass and pay from the earlier time.  

That is disgusting.  

And seriously people, stop paying in 5, 10, 15 minute increments.  You pay by the half hour.  Our time is valuable.  Your salaried job isn't paid like that and ours isn't either.  

Do.The.Right.Thing.  Treat your Nanny and Babysitter the right way.