Advice please - never used a CM before!

[becaroo]

I have to go to a funeral on friday

Re: childcare, my PIL (who I could normally ask) are going too and my parents (who I could also normally ask) are away.

I have a friend who recently became a registered CM and have asked if she could have my 2 boys (aged 7 and 2) for about 3 hours and she said she could.

Problem is, she is refusing to take any payment....I would really like to pay her as
a) its her livlihood and
b) I am very grateful she can do this at such short notice

What should I do? Just leave some money in an envelope when I pick the boys up? How much for 2 children for 3 hours????

If you are a CM, what would you prefer I do??? Present???? Booze?????

aaarrgghhh...HELP!

Also, what do I need to take/leave for youngest ds? Do I need to fill in a form or anything???

Am totally clueless, arent i???? {grin}

thanks x

I would also refuse to accept payment from a friend who was attending a funeral.
It wouldn't seem right somehow.
However, some flowers/wine would be nice if you really wanted to give something.

Thanks for that advice. Should I take her some wine and chocs?

I am a CM and often look after a friend's child for no payment, as long as I have the space.

She has given me flowers, a card, but no choccies as am trying to lose weight and she knows this ;)

But really, as she is my friend, me helping her out is a pleasure, and not a burden at all.

Your friend is offering a favour, as I see it, because she can - the fact that she is a CM is secondary.

If she weren't a CM, what would you do? If you could offer to have a friend's kids while she went to a funeral, what would you expect? Of course you wouldn't expect anything other than a thankyou, but a nice card and abottle of wine/chocs/nice bubble bath is a nice way of showing your appreciation.

So yes to wine and chocs.

Snap, I'd never expect anything either, unless it was a friend who had a regular contract. I agree that if you want to, just get something like a bottle of wine/chocs etc. I bet she's just happy to be able to help you in this time of need.

I am sure you are right, but she is not a friend I see regularly or even know that well IYSWIM???

We met at baby massage class when our ds were babies (nearly 2 years ago) and have kept in touch but we arent bosom buddies or anything....dont even know what her favourite tipple is!!!!

thanks for your input ladies

Hi there, I do know what you mean Becaroo, how about saying to her that if she doesn't let you pay you will not feel that you can ask again - this normally works!!!!

Hope this helps

I think she isnt accepting payment because its a funeral IYSWIM? It just makes me uncomfortable not paying her. Perhaps I am just odd??