To ask for the money back?

Really rude of these parents to take advantage of you like this. I've never sent my children of to be taken out for the day without giving the parent some money for drinks and ice creams.

I'd send her a message just saying you haven't received the payment yet. Almost certainly she either forgot or there was a problem with the payment going through, maybe an internet blip or she didn't press 'confirm' or something. She'd be mad to alienate you for the sake of a few quid when you are doing her such a huge favour.

I assumed the post was intended for the thread about phrases or words people dislike.

I would just ask for the money in advance in future, if they don't pay they don't get discounted childcare.
Save you the hassle of chasing.

I think they posted by accident. I almost posted a whole work report to MN today as I was reading threads during breaks (must stop doing that). It would have been so outing - and embarrassing!

In all honesty if someone asked me for money and I was engrossed with work it would leave my head as soon as it entered 😂 maybe next time you take them out say ‘oh mind add the £15 from last time too’ if they don’t send it then the days out stop 🤷🏼‍♀️

Just ask, she will probably be mortified she’s forgotten.

And next time always get them to send the kids with their own money upfront.

We used to do similar when the kids were little and would always send kids with a packed lunch or dinner money.

If you are taking the same child out again soon you could send the following
"Hi Gill as you know I'm taking John this week again. Just wanted to remind you about his lunch from last week as I don't want to land you with a double £30 bill. Easy to forget I know." Thanks.

If she usually pays with no problems then I imagine she’s just forgotten with all the end of term chaos! Just bloody message her and I’d hazard a guess she’ll send it over.

If she’s always paid in the past then it’s just slipped her mind. It happens. Just remind her and don’t think bad of her.

She hasn't purposely not paid.

Just remind her or ask her did she transfer - because she might have absent mindedly sent it to the wrong account or something.

I was a working parent - this arrangement would have been a lifesaver for me and I would be mortified if I forgot to pay and would be grateful had my friend kindly reminded me. So much better than letting resentment sneak in.

if you are due to take her child out again this week that might trigger her memory but other that I’d probably say x

@Flyswats "You just have to say - "can you send me that 15 quid for the food from last week? thanks!"" nails it for me. It comes over the most polite of the lot, to me. Far more so than tying yourself in knots typing out that maybe it's gone into the wrong account etc.

Whatever the arguments on th thread the poll is virtually unanimous at 98% YANBU.

No good deed goes unpunished, it would seem. How kind of you to help out with childcare. I hope it gets resolved.

Not unreasonable to ask, you shouldn’t be out of pocket.

But going forward I’d do things differently and say if they want child to eat out/go somewhere with a cost then they need to send the child with money in their back or with the kids bank card so that you’re not left chasing afterwards.

Agree, you're not a pa sending out reminders for someone's maternity collection. Just short and factual.

The most casual would probably be leaving it until you were going to contact her next so the message isn't just about that but if not just "hi, just checking if you've had a chance to transfer the money for last week?" Is fine.

Just because you are someone who never forgets doesn't mean she is, and is doing it deliberately! Given she's always paid before she's probably just meant to do it and got distracted.

it really doesnt have to be a big deal at all but if you find it awkward maybe in the future tell her at the time, then if she still hasn't sent it over in a day or two send over a few pics of the kids from the day out saying "just remembered I took these and thought you'd like to see Jack enjoying the (whatever it is). BTW can't remember if I told you but it was £15 for food when you get a chance." Basically anything as an excuse for contact that isn't just asking for money, might feel less awkward - although, again, there's no need to feel like that either way.

Is your DH always such a wet wipe?

It’s embarrassing to let people take advantage of you, not to stick up for yourself. This woman is already taking the piss if she doesn’t offer to cover all the children’s lunches occasionally considering she gets free childcare out of you.

I don't see why it would be embarrassing for you to remind her, I'm sure she will be the one who is embarrassed when she realises shes forgotten.

Yes she should have paid within 24 hours of you sending the message really, but life sometimes gets in way and people are only human. If shes never not paid before then I don't understand why you wouldn't just send a quick reminder.

You say you don’t mind but actually you do otherwise it wouldn’t be an issue

What a strange thing to say.