My sister has said I've made things awkward but I disagree

[Robinson89]

I worked in child care for over 10 years, mainly as a nanny, and although I've changed professions completely now, I still occasionally babysit for some families during evenings and weekends. My rate is £10ph and has been for the last few years.

Last week my sisters friend (I don't know her personally) asked if I'd be interested in babysitting her children occasionally. I said yes and told her to pass my number on and let her know to ring me if she had any questions. Yesterday I received a text from the friend asking if I could babysit this upcoming weekend as she wanted to go on a night out for her friends birthday. It would be for around 6 hours until 11:30pm. I told her no problem, asked for her address and explained that my rate was £10. She replied shortly after explaining that she was looking to pay around £8.50 as that is all she could afford. I sent a polite text back to say I understood her position, but unfortunately my rate was £10 and it is what I charge all my families. I said if she changed her mind then to let me know and I'd happily babysit for her.

I never heard anything about it again until my sister phoned me this morning to say that her friend was really disappointed that she couldn't go on her night out and why would I expect £10 for basically putting the kids to bed and sitting on the sofa watching tv all night . I have no idea why my sister is even entertaining this, and frankly I'm a bit hurt. It has nothing to do with the fact that I'd be sat watching the tv whilst the kids are in bed. It's the fact that I'm giving up my weekend (I work full time myself) to babysit her children and not being able to spend time in my own home with my own family. I'm not desperate for the money so my down time is really important to me. I'm also a qualified trained professional who knows what to do in the event of an emergency. AIBU?

[MaskingForIt]

YANBU. I want a Jaguar but I can only afford a Vauxhall, so I drive a Vauxhall. My friend has a Jag and doesn’t feel bad that I don’t.

[Thedogscollar]

No you are most definitely not being unreasonable. She is paying for a professional who knows what to do in an emergency. I'd say your rate is very good.
You have nothing to feel guilty about. Ignore them, not your problem.

[PaperhouseLegs]

You have no need to explain yourself to your sister...if she was asked to cut her wages to carry out her job for a day at the weekend I highly doubt she would entertain it. I wouldn't respond. It's nothing to do with her.

[Fizzgigg]

Nope. Not BU. You value your time and have set a price for that (a very reasonable price). You don't owe her a night out. She can hire you at your rate or not. That's it.

[BestZebbie]

As an adult £8.50 is under the current NMW - which makes it especially cheeky given it is a weekend evening and you are experienced.

[Howshouldibehave]

Your sister and her friend can get stuffed! Why doesn’t your sister babysit for her if she’s so bothered?!

[LublinToDublin]

You have done nothing wrong

[Echobelly]

No, you were fair to stick to your guns, especially as you are qualified and experienced, it's not like you're a teenager doing someone a favour.

[MaskingForIt]

Also, if she only wants to pay £8.50 then she needs to find someone who can work for that rate.

[Freddiefox]

It’s not you, it’s her, your sisters welcome to baby sit, maybe she can even do mates rates. Shall we call it a tenner for the night.

[ILiedAboutBeingTheOutdoorType]

YANBU. If she wants to pay £8.50 an hour she has to find someone who will accept £8.50 an hour. Her cancelling her night out is not your fault and your sister telling you about it is just creating drama.

[someofusdontknowwhy]

She was quibbling over £9? If her budget is that tight that £9 is the difference between a night out or not then I think she needs to look at her priorities

[SentDeliveredRead]

Ignore them both. Thats your rate. They wouldn't haggle with sainsbury about the price of the food they wanted but couldn't afford, you just don't get it
We've all been there

[CyclingIsNotOuting]

YANBU, maybe your sister is annoyed because she gave the impression of mates rates or something?

[residentkaleidoscope]

£60 for a night of babysitting, I'm must be in the wrong profession lol. You did nothing wrong OP, ignore your sister.

[SnugKnights]

I think £10 is very cheap! Your sister was very rude and her friend is a cheeky fucker.

[Waspsarearseholes]

Your sister is really taking the piss. Her friend is looking to save £9 on her evening out. She either goes out for an hour less or has one or two fewer drinks. It's quite simple. Would she go to the bar and say she'd like X drink at £10 bit only wants to pay £8.50?! Of course she wouldn't because you have to pay what things cost!

[grapewine]

Ignore. You rate is your rate. Cheeky fuckers like that irritate the hell out of me.

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

£8.50 for SIX HOURS thats not minimum wage!

£10 for 6 hours is also less than minimum wage.

Friend is CF, but you are selling yourself short!

[EverNapping]

If your sister is that bothered, maybe she should pay the difference. If not...

[Waspsarearseholes]

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit

£8.50 for SIX HOURS thats not minimum wage!

£10 for 6 hours is also less than minimum wage.

Friend is CF, but you are selling yourself short!

That's per hour, not for the whole evening!

[LittleMysSister]

How weird, for the sake of £9.

Tbh I'd be wondering if she was actually expecting you to do it for free or at least give her mate's rates, since you're a friend's sister. I can't believe that someone genuinely would cancel a night out for the sake of £9.

[Enterifyoudare]

Why didn't your sister to offer to watch the kids then?!

Also, if you've changed professions, is your DBS even up to date?

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

That is, if I'm understanding you correctly OP that you asked for £10 total not per hour?

[Dozer]

Sister’s friend is U and sister is even U for her response to her friend/you, including the comments disrespecting your skills and time!