In being a bit annoyed at this text? (Babysitter)

[heyhosilverballs]

So I got the number of a local girl (about 18/19) to babysit ds (3.5) for a few hours while I get on with some housework etc.

She agreed to come on Weds for 3 hours then I asked her what her hourly rate is. I get this back-

"$10 per hour for one child, but the price may go up if there is questionable behavior, if that makes sense."

Aibu to be .

He's 3.5. He's a sweet kid and I think of his friends he's one of the more chilled and well behaved. But he's still 3.5 and very occasionally will have a tantrum (he's only had a handful ever but I can't promise he won't have one) and is going through a very fucking irritating phase of not listening sometimes. Basically, he's a 3.5 year old.

Surely she could just not work again if he's a nightmare.

Now if I go ahead I'll be paranoid he's being perfectly well behaved and on edge!

Am I being daft at feeling irritated?

Xpost... and yet another anecdote- once babysat for a lady who told me her son was toilet trained. Fine.... did not tell me that when he didn't get his own way he would shit himself on purpose and smear it over himself.

There was not enough $$$ in the world that could pay me to go back there. It happened 3 times over tiny petty things. (Asking to go to bed, offering a drink that wasn't sugary etc)

I think parents ought to be very realistic when asking people to babysit and not just hope things go fine.

When I babysat as a teenager/young adult I charged one family more than others because the children were very difficult. I don't think that's unreasonable and I always clarified the amount up front.

I used to sit for a family who paid more for the hours during which the children were awake as they were spirited. But that was agreed beforehand and at their insistence.

In this situation I think you need to be sure that she knows you are expecting someone to come and play/ interact with your child, not just watch telly while they sleep.

Troll, sorry but the road kill story is the funniest thing I've read on here in ages!!

Not to laugh at your expense of course but...

From an unemotive/practical POV, it is fair to do as she suggests. It isn't accepted though.

I'm a swimming teacher, and will take a maximum of 5 dc per class. However, if I get all really well behaved dc I could easily teach 8 effectively. Conversely, a 'spirited' child can mean I can't even teach 5 safely. So, from a purely commercial perspective, I would like to charge good kids less. I can't though, but do understand where she's coming from.

heyhosilverballs it's her service so her rate! If your son is well behaved it will not cost too much! My kids, I dread to think!

Worra, I honestly don't know how I made it through my teens. So much babysitting and so many utter utter disasters.

I was/am good with children but why these people left me with their little demons is beyond me. They must have been desperate and known that at least if their children are trying to maim somebody then they know where they are.

Also had to throw out my prized pleather jeans because somebody wiped snotters all down them. They were wipe clean but never ever the same afterwards. Such heights of fashion.

Is this site American?? Who knew? No it's international and I think everyone knew apart from you apparently Red.

I think baby sitter is being cheeky. You can't have your charges being variable - baby sitting is what it is - looking after small children and all that entails (so it will vary depending on time of day and personality of child) some days you'll get a child who is asleep the whole time you are there, other days you get a lively kid that you have to entertain. Your charge is ten dollars whatever. She sounds a bit flaky - I'd look elsewhere. (Did you get to see the eclipse OP ? )

Troll I can imagine the ad for the job.

"Babysitter required. Must be up to date with vaccinations, including rabies and tetanus"

I personally would ask her to clarify her questionable behaviour, when I think of questionable behaviour I imagine a 3.5 year old trying to flirt with her or something maybe find a different babysitter, she sounds like she's willing to add on charges just for a tantrum and that isn't something you want to be paranoid about, it's normal behaviour for a young child.

I read this as $10/hour this time, but if your child turns out to be a little shit, next time you ask to babysit, the cost will be $50/hour.

I would ask her to clarify. Your interpretation (which could be well what she meant) is less reasonable. Mine, not so much.

Maybe you could give her a list of behaviours and ask her rate per each. So, wrangling roadkill /dead animals of any description? Extra 10 dolla. Wrangling of live animals? 50 dolla. Shit smeared on child? 10 dolla. On babysitter? 50 dolla. etc etc....

My children are fucking angels BTW! The babysitter should be paying ME!

She can't alter her charge depending on behaviour. I mean, she could alter it for next time, but not at the end of the 3 hours.

I'm not sure of the exchange rate at the moment, but isn't that pretty high considering you'll be there anyway, and this is just playing with him for a bit and not even being in sole charge? I'd look around for someone else, tbh.

I did see the eclipse. Can't bloody see now though as I though everyone was being very ott about not looking at the sun and looked. I can see the eclipse perfectly every time I close my eyes though!

I think I'll look for another sitter. I was actually intending to pay her $15-$20 if she was good, it's not the money that's the issue.

Right. I think I pay bloody well. I've been a nanny for almost 20 years though and want someone to feel happy with what they're getting. And ds does not stop bloody talking for one second, there's no break.

They'd just be playing with him in the house. No wrangling outside, no feeding, no getting down for naps.

Wouldn't it be cheaper to get a cleaner and you take DS out for an icecream?

Not where I am! Cleaners charge $25 and up but even then it's pretty much impossible to find one. We live very remotely.

Plus I'm a fussy fucker and also suffer sometimes from OCD so only I can clean the house.

When I read it, it seemed like she was saying her base rate is $10/hour. But after she babysits the 1st time she might put that rate up if he's a little shit.

I used to do that, but I never said that to people like that. When they'd call I'd just say, oh yes I'm free, but I'm putting my rates up to £xx, is that Ok?

But it wasn't a general price increase iyswim, it was only for them because their 'D'C was like a demon and I deserved danger money.

Maybe it was meant like that. I just didn't like the tone for some reason. So will cancel I think.

You're Not daft - if she ups her rate for questionable behaviour then that implies a higher rate for more effort or work on her part. I'd expect the same amount of effort from her whether my DS was tantruming or perfectly behaved.

I've worked with children all my adult life, I've known literally 1000's of other childcarers. I've never heard anything like this.

The family DD1 babysits for pays her more if the child wakes in the evening.

It does make sense in some ways. When he's asleep they are effectively paying her to watch their tv and eat their crisps and be on call for the baby. If the baby is up then it's a more difficult evening for her.

Ask her if you get a discount if DS is extra well behaved.