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Paid childcare

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How much compromise for babysitter who brings her children along?

33 replies

Whirliwig72 · 20/05/2012 17:08

Advice please I use a babysitter for 3 hours a week once a week to look after ds1 - 3 yrs and ds2 - 8 months. I'm usually home during this time using it to get tricky jobs or admin done.

Babysitter is paid £10 per hr which I think is generous and she has up to now been fantastic. Some weeks when her oh is working she brings along her 1 yr old too but has always been able to cope ok ESP as my ds2 usually naps for half of the time she's here.

Today however was a bit of a disaster. Her child was teething and a bit grouchy so understandably she comforted her and gave her a lot of attention. All well and good but my ds1 had 3 toilet accidents which she missed and I ended up sorting. Ds1 also kept coming upstairs interrupting the job I was trying to do. Finally her dc started crying and needed mums full attention so I stopped what I was doing and ended up doing a jigsaw with ds1 while she sorted things out. I'm now feeling a bit gutted tbh - I really look forward to my 3 hrs a week but feel I got next to nothing done today. I'm also feeling guilty as she obviously found today a but of a struggle. Should I a) pay less on the weeks she brings her daughters? b) pay £10 phr but expect her to get on with it - not stopping what I'm doing to help or c) pay £10 phr and step in as necessary. I'm torn between feeling guilty and feeling pissed off.

At the end of the session I thanked her and paid her as usual

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BackforGood · 20/05/2012 19:35

D here too.
If I were paying someone £30 for 3 hours work (very generous IMO) to do a job, I would expect them to be doing that job and giving it their full attention. I wouldn't expect them to have their 1 yr old there at all. I would say they needed to make other arangements for their child or not come.

ToryLovell · 20/05/2012 19:16

What monkeymoma said

wishiwasonholiday · 20/05/2012 19:12

Could she not take them to a park or a group somewhere in the time even if it cost you a few £ extra would it be worth the peace and quiet?

monkeymoma · 20/05/2012 17:47

D) I would tell her that you understand that these things happen, but in future it would be better for everyone if she cancels if her LO is under the weather, and you'll see her the next week, or arange an extra day the next week if you need it

(BTW you pay LOADS!)

JustFab · 20/05/2012 17:44

These are things you needed to talk about before you took her on but as you haven't you need to do it asap and make you mind up what you will and won't tolerate. If you chose to pay £10 an hour you need to pay it with good grace imo.

As for not stepping in, you are paying her to do her job but not at the expense of your child, ie don't leave them in wet pants/crying/unattended etc just to get your moneys worth. (I'm sure you aren't, just saying).

turnigitonitshead · 20/05/2012 17:39

seems like this was a one off and whilst understandably frustrating I would have raised this early on with her and sent her home and arranged another day, I would also have slipped in that when her dd is unwell again in the future she should let you know and another day should be arranged. I think the problem arose as expectations have not been clearly defined.

Flisspaps · 20/05/2012 17:31

B

Whirliwig72 · 20/05/2012 17:13

That should be daughter btw she only has one child!

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