So I just recently (wed.) started babysitting for a single female soldier. I am NOT a child care provider..and I normally just babysit for date nights and stuff...but I felt bad that she was single..and didnt really have anywhere else to turn..she waited until the day before she had to go back to work to find someone apparently. That means she needs childcare from 530 am until 530 pm. which is A LOT! I only charge her $20 a day because I know what its like to be a single parent and trying to make ends meet. but now we have this issue...today she had to drop off 30 minutes earlier than the agreed time, so 5 am instead of 530..okay..find..I get it..PT test..whatever. Today she comes to pick up her child and informs me that monday she has to be at work at 330-4AM and will be gone until as late as 10 PM!!! They are going on a "field trip" (so to speak lol) to a place 4 hours away. I am a little peeved..because this stuff doesnt happen at a child care center..you dont just get to drop off HOURS earlier and pick up HOURS later. You would have to work something else out! So my question is..how can I address this tactfully before Monday? Thanks ladies!
If you do not want to watch the longer hours just tell her that you had agreed to the 5:30-5:30 time framed and if it will be longer than that she will have to make different plans
she does not have any family around? I would politely say that you donot mind watching her child for the hours that you have agreed upon for the $20 a day, anything over that she will have to pay extra. does the base have daycare? once she has to start paying more or paying for daycare she will find a way to work it out. Where is the father? can't he watch the child for a bit?
Quoting PoehlerBear1983:
I understand that she might be given orders at short notice. If the times are not a problem for you just let her know that on extended hour days you will have to charge more like $40. It still is cheaper than any child care center
If you do not want to watch the longer hours just tell her that you had agreed to the 5:30-5:30 time framed and if it will be longer than that she will have to make different plans
I agree with this
Quoting PoehlerBear1983:
I understand that she might be given orders at short notice. If the times are not a problem for you just let her know that on extended hour days you will have to charge more like $40. It still is cheaper than any child care center
If you do not want to watch the longer hours just tell her that you had agreed to the 5:30-5:30 time framed and if it will be longer than that she will have to make different plans
Oh man, that's rough. I still maintain that being a single mom is the hardest job in the Army, I don't know how they do it :( I take it all the on-post centers are full? I think you are awesome for helping her out, but yeah, she needs to pay you extra for such a long day. And then she needs to think about getting chaptered for not having a family care plan....
notuh, we are in Germany, family is a good ways away for all of us. the father is here as well, so I am not sure why he isnt watching the child, but they are YOUNG..like brand new to the army young..so 18-20 age frame. I thought I may tell her $40 for the day, since it is 18 hours.
Quoting timon95:
she does not have any family around? I would politely say that you donot mind watching her child for the hours that you have agreed upon for the $20 a day, anything over that she will have to pay extra. does the base have daycare? once she has to start paying more or paying for daycare she will find a way to work it out. Where is the father? can't he watch the child for a bit?
yeah, they are full and her son's name is on the list. My husband said the same thing about the family care plan lol
Quoting bethany169:
Oh man, that's rough. I still maintain that being a single mom is the hardest job in the Army, I don't know how they do it :( I take it all the on-post centers are full? I think you are awesome for helping her out, but yeah, she needs to pay you extra for such a long day. And then she needs to think about getting chaptered for not having a family care plan....
i would talk to her about having the father pick up the child when he gets off. unless they are on the same schedule and haave the same thing to go to. honestly, young has nothing to do with it. they have a responsibility, that should not be placed all on you.
Quoting sunshine86912:notuh, we are in Germany, family is a good ways away for all of us. the father is here as well, so I am not sure why he isnt watching the child, but they are YOUNG..like brand new to the army young..so 18-20 age frame. I thought I may tell her $40 for the day, since it is 18 hours.
Quoting timon95:
she does not have any family around? I would politely say that you donot mind watching her child for the hours that you have agreed upon for the $20 a day, anything over that she will have to pay extra. does the base have daycare? once she has to start paying more or paying for daycare she will find a way to work it out. Where is the father? can't he watch the child for a bit?
Wow that is crazy! I would see if you could make some type of agreement & type it out and ask her to sign it. Write something about agreeing to babysit for x amount of money from 5:30am-5:30 pm (if that was what was originally agree on) and then put you'd like x amount of money per hour extra. I would just let her know that you wanted to have a formal agreement so that both of you knew what to expect out of the child care situation
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- sunshine86912
on Aug. 17, 2012 at 11:57 AM