Parents who use CMs. Is it really hard to understand?

[BarbieCan]

That you are paying for a time slot as well as childcare.

That your CM is not being grabby if she charges you in full when you decide that on a particular day you don't need all the hours you agreed in the contract.

That your CM is not being mean when she charges you when your child is unwell.

That your CM is not being jealous when she charges you when you go on holidays but she is still available to work.

That your CM is not being unreasonable when she charges you when you are late.

How can this be explained better so you can understand your CM point of view?

I totally agree with your terms Barbie - as long as you don't charge when you're not available, which you've said you don't.

I wonder if parents would find it easier to understand/less painful if they paid you a set monthly amount by standing order? Bit like paying the rent? I wonder if it's the parents who pay you by cash/cheque/ad hoc that find it hardest to get their heads around?

We have a nanny, obviously we pay her whether we "use" her or not (i.e. we pay her even if we go on holiday). We pay by standing order so we never really think about "paying for something we haven't had". We are paying to have her available when we do need her.