I'm a sucker!
By cheryl2783
@cheryl2783 (229)
United States
September 19, 2007 8:38am CST
Well here is my story. I really need some extra cash to make ends meet. I have an eight month old and stay home with him. I tried a bunch of paid to click sites. While some pay about $5.00 per month, most don't even pay that much. So that wasn't working very well. I decided to start babysitting another baby, another eight month old. I was told she was very good and never cried. I only charged $75 per week since I am home anyway. That was such a big mistake. It is only day three and she is working my nerves. She cries all the time. She is here for eight hours per day and I count down as soon as she arrives. I can only get her to take a half-hour nap. I try to play with both the kids. But laughs, cries, and laughs again all withing seconds. There is nothing wrong with her to make her cry. She is probably teething but the mom doesn't use anything to ease the pain, so I do what I can with teethers. I told the mom about her crying. Her reply is that she has been like that lately. But a few days ago they said she never cried. That is why I charged such a low amount. $75 for 40 hours per week is very cheap, I think. Now I wish I could take it back and charge more! What should I do? Should I keep my mouth shut since I agreed to $75, or should I tell her I want a little more. I'd like to say forget it all together, but like I said, I need the money. Any suggestions?? Help!
4 people like this
13 responses
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
19 Sep 07
I hope that mom realizes what a deal she's getting! SAHM's get at least $200 around here for a 40 hour babysitting week. You're really in a tough situation...especially since she works with your husband. You're nerves must be frazzled taking care of that child AND your own and having to deal with the crying. How does your child feel about the constant crying? If she doesn't stop crying within another week I would have your husband talk to the woman and explain the situation. As much as I love babies and helping people out you have to start thinking about yourself and your family. You and they come first.
2 people like this
@cheryl2783 (229)
• United States
20 Sep 07
Well, sometimes he cries with her, which is when I get really stressed, but usually he just looks at her. I guess he's getting used to it. I told the mom today that she is still crying, and all the mom said was that it must be her teeth.
1 person likes this
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
19 Sep 07
my suggestion would be to take in another child. maybe over 2 and potty trained. the older child keep the young ones busy and they are easier. i am looking for an extra income myself but my job takes up so much time allready.
2 people like this
@stella1989 (2274)
• India
20 Sep 07
Man... crying kids is BIG problem..!!
I can't stand them!!
But I still manage to shut them up very easily but not always!!
Try some of my theory-
1. try to divert them from what is causing them to cry first.
2. take them out for a walk show them some birds,trees,ponds and people.Tkae them to the nearest park.
3.play some music.
4.give them a BIG hug. kids really love it.
5.play some stupid games with them, they enjoy it a lot.
6. give them something good to eat.
These things really help!!
And If they kids parents are not oyur relatives then you should have no hesitation to ask for the raise cause you deserve it and one more thing you should never trust such parents who say my baby doesn't cry cause its not true wih every people!!
May be that kid really doesn't cry with his parents
but wha about when he is with others..!!
:)
@catherIN (430)
• United States
26 Sep 07
Oh,I feel your pain!I'm walking in those shoes myself!
Money is very bad right now.I do a bunch of things online to make every penny that I can.I am also babysitting.We still need more income.
I currently watch 2 great-nephews;ages 3 & 1 year.I get $75 a week.They are well behaved.That all works out fine.But,I also watch my great-niece; 6 month old, for $10 a day = $50 a week.
The reason I do it so cheap is because it's for 2 of nieces.I've watched the boys for awhile.It has never been a problem.When my other niece said she needed me to watch her baby during the week,I thought okay.Oh,most days I sit & think,"What was I thinking??" agreeing to watch the baby for $50 a week.She is a beautiful baby with a wonderful smile.But,this is one moody little girl!!!She will be laughing one minute & start screaming,for no reason & without warning,the next.She has a VERY high pitched scream to make it all the more fun.Yes,she is like this at home,too.
I just wanted to tell you that I feel for you.Yes,we are working for way to little compared to what others make doing childcare.But,as for me,I can't afford to quit.
Good luck.
@cheryl2783 (229)
• United States
27 Sep 07
You really do understand. This girl is a screamer too. She screams every time I move more than a foor away from her. Finally, I told her to cry it out. I have my son to watch also. She throws a fit, but she eventually gets over it so we can play together. I get so frustrated when it comes to feeding her. She eats very little, but wants to eat often. I asked her mom how often she feeds her. She said the baby snacks all day long! I don't have the time or patience to strap her in a highchair to give her one spoonfull of food, then do it again an hour later.. Between the two kids, I am exhausted because they both require so much attention..
I hope the three year old is helping you out!
@beaniegdi (1964)
•
19 Sep 07
She probably didn't cry at home but here she doesn't know where she is. Babies know when they are somewhere different and she must wonder where her mom is. I think if you feel stressed about it then she will pick that up as well which will make her worse. I think she will settle down if you try to be relaxed about this, once she gets used to you she will settle down, it is still new to her. Have you tried music, sometimes a little music can help calm babies down. Also they are growing and getting older all the time and before you know it she will be playing with your child and all this will be forgotten.
However if you really think you can't cope and think you might harm the baby then you must tell the mother to find some one else to care for her baby.
2 people like this
@cheryl2783 (229)
• United States
19 Sep 07
I would never harm her or any other child. She has been in daycare for the last 6 months, so she is used to being without her mom. and she seems to ok to be here, she just cries about everything. Something that makes her laugh once, makes her cry the next time I try it. Thanks
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
20 Sep 07
$75 is really cheap... i think you should give the baby more time to adjust to being left in your care...my baby was like that the first week i left her to her grandmother's house...you can let her listen to music to relax her or let her watch tv or Hi-5... that works for my baby...but if it persist or two weeks... you should tell the mother to pay you more or else quit...
2 people like this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
20 Sep 07
i think you are really in a difficult situation since you already promise the mum that you will only charge $75... so you have to keep your word... but $75 for 40 hours is very very small... you might want to have a chat with the mum and negotiate again about the price... see what she says... hopefully she will understand and you can increase your fee... good luck...
1 person likes this
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
20 Sep 07
Apart from the moolah, there should be something in a job which has to give you some satisfaction. If you have decided on baby-sitting as a way to earn something on the side, then start looking for another child immediately. Once you have found it and settled your remunerations with the mother, I suggest you talk to the mom of the existing child and tell her of your increased expectations and your problems as such. If she agrees to the hiked amount, then fine otherwise you already have a back-up ready and shouldn’t be wasting days without any income at all.
1 person likes this
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
28 Sep 07
Try giving her warm milk and see if that will help. If she didn't get better within a week, then I would just tell the mom that I don't think that the baby is adjusting well to the situation and that you feel that she should probably take her to someone else. IF she insists that you keep her, then I would say that you are stuck and will have to make the best of it.
If she does remove her, just find some one else as I am sure it would be possible if you keep your rates lower than others around you.
@sandwedge (1339)
• Malaysia
20 Sep 07
keep your end of the deal. never never never go back on it. babysitting is hard and what is happening to you is part and parcel of it. keep at it for a while and then tell the kids parents that your baby have an infectious cold and you fear their kid might get it. tell them you are willing to babysit again sometimes soon.
when they tire of waiting, they will call you and you tell them that another couple is paying you better and you are going to babysit for them starting "next week".
here is the interesting part...you got to get this right. babysit the best you can NOW before the "infectious cough story". let them love you for it and also the fact that you charge cheap too. when you stop babysitting for them, wait for them to call but at least 2 weeks. when they call and they WANT you to continue with your splendid job, they will negotiate for a higher rate the your fictitious couple's rate.
walla! more money and out of the hole.
1 person likes this
@izathewzia (5134)
• Philippines
20 Sep 07
Why not ask for a little increase if you think the pay is not enough? Pay depends on the kind of work you are doing. It is not on assumption. Maybe they told you some lies when they say the baby is not cry-some. If they don't agree to give you a little increase, then think twice. It's up to you to prioritize things.
1 person likes this
@naveen00112002 (2)
• China
20 Sep 07
madam i understand your problem but i am sorry cause i can do nothing except giving you an advice which i feel to be good. " you said that you are being paid very less amount of money which is not up to your need, so want you to go directly to your owner and explain her how hard you have been worked and the paying is not enough for your living. but this conversation should be done in a smooth way so that she can understand you and may pay you more" and one more thing was that, " you are in need of money so your mind always thinks whether you can make it or not this is a negative feeling which makes you to depress. leave this felling have confidence in you. you can make it up nothing is impossible in life but it costs a positive attitude. be strong and 'if' you have belief in god pray him and believe him which gains you the confidence that there was someone to help you" i wish everything goes right with you. bye madam.
1 person likes this
