takie it or refuse it?
By lebgirl90
@lebgirl90 (181)
Lebanon
May 27, 2008 2:56pm CST
ok here's the deal.
my aunt has three wonderful kids and wantsme to babysit them regularly once a week. i said sure no problem (dvds, play station and endless yummi snacks...how can i say no to that :P)
but in exchange she wants to give me 8$ per night. at first, i completly refused i mean she's family and goin to her place is just like stayin home cz the kids would be already sleeping (it's a night job) plus she used to babysit me when i was a kid.
but when i think of it, 24$ wldnt hurt...i mean for an 18 year girl like me...i kinda need them.
so what do you think i should do? shld i take the money or just do it as a favor?
6 people like this
22 responses
@ellie333 (21016)
•
27 May 08
I would take it as even though the kids are good it is still a responsibilty and you have to be there on a set night rather than just popping round to visit so I would look at it as a babysitting job. It would probably make your aunt feel better if you do also and if she ever has to ask for an extra night etc she won't feel like she is taking the mickey but is genuinely requesting. You say the extra will help and your aunt also feels comfortable going out knowing that the children are safe with someone she trusts too and as a mother myself that is worth more than any amount of money so $8 is nothing really. Ellie :D
2 people like this
@fluffnflowers (1594)
• United States
27 May 08
I'd take it. She's getting a deal paying you only $8, and she's paying you what she can as a favor. I used to make $10/hr + $4 for each extra child babysitting.
As my FIL says, 'Don't insult me by not taking money for your service!' :)
2 people like this
@lebgirl90 (181)
• Lebanon
27 May 08
well babysitters in lebanon also charge between 8 and 10$/hour so she's getting a fair deal.
and i really loved the quote :)
2 people like this
@Elixiress (3878)
•
27 May 08
I would take the money, $8 is not that much really. I used to get £10 when I was babysitting, so you really shouldn't feel guilty about taking it. It will come in handy.
2 people like this
@Adelida2233 (1005)
• United States
27 May 08
I would take it. The $24 will work towards gas going to and from their house, and she is saving a ton as well. I would just come up with stuff that you can do at their house, like reading, playing games, etc, then you will look forward to your "job".
Even if you don't spend the money, you can always put it into a savings account. Every little bit helps. Have fun with the kids!
2 people like this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
27 May 08
You should take the money, you're going to earn it even if it feels like a favor. You're agreeing to be there on a particular day, no matter what, so it's not the same thing as visiting where you're free to change plans.
2 people like this
@fluffysue (1482)
• United States
7 Jun 08
If she is willing to pay you, definitely take the money. If it was just a one-time thing, I would say do it as a favor, but if it is a regular thing, there is no problem with taking the money. Even if it seems to you that you are just hanging out there watching movies, you need to be there in case the kids wake up, or whatever. And that is an evening you are committing to babysitting as opposed to doing something else. It probably makes her feel better to give you the money, so don't worry about it.
1 person likes this
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
7 Jun 08
There is nothing wrong with taking the money for babysitting her kids. Your time is valuable and your Aunt feels more comfortable with you watching her children. It doesn't matter that the kids are already asleep because you are safeguarding her children. If it was me I would take the money.
1 person likes this
@olivemai (4738)
• United States
7 Jun 08
Do you mean that your aunt will pay you eight dollars per child? And it is for one night a week? That is not bad, and you may be able to barter with her, for some clothes or shoes! How much is minimum wage in Lebanon? That is a high pay for babysitting, even in the United States, where people pay according to what they can afford, more times than not! I used to get three dollars an hour, if the person could afford it, otherwise it was fine to pay what they could afford! I usually got to eat and it was good practice for the future!
@lebgirl90 (181)
• Lebanon
9 Jun 08
no actually she's paying 8$/night andthe minimum in lebanon is 5$ per hour so it's not really bad :)
1 person likes this
@m0mmy0f03 (364)
• United States
16 Jun 08
Hello Lebgirl,
I'm a mother of 3 kids and my sister in law watchings my kids all the time mostly on the weekend. She doesn't charge me or takes money from me. If I worked and she watched them I would give her. So I think if your doing so she can go out for a few drinks or watch a movie then I wouldn't take the money but if she is going to work then yeah I would take the money. Exspecail being 18 and any money will help. She will understand with kids and she will not beable to get a sitter for that cheap. Good luck. Hope it works out for you.
Blue eyed beauty
@lebgirl90 (181)
• Lebanon
16 Jun 08
actually my aunt needs me when she and her husband are invited to a dinner or a convention or smthin like that.
anyways, i appreciate your advice and i've finally decided to take the money :D
@cinderella2007 (2662)
•
7 Jun 08
I would take the money as she is offering you a job as a regular babysitter!! If is was odd occasions, I would refuse the money but its a regular thing so you should be paid for it even though it would be like staying at home!!
If she is happy to be paying you then whats the issue?? Its doesn't matter that she used to babysit you when you were younger, you never know your mum might have paid your aunt or treated her to various things to say thank you!!
1 person likes this
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
23 Jun 08
No, I don't think you should do it as a favour, lebgirl. Your aunt obviously wants to pay you for your service, and I think you should take it. After all, if you worked at McDonald's or somewhere similar in the evenings, you'd be earning money ... so you are giving up your time when you could be earning. Take the money and do a good job for your aunt!
@lucasio (43)
• United States
18 Jun 08
yes i think you should take the money you deserve it! i would, because basiclly you guarding the kids so your aunt can go out and do her thing. money would come in handy and i think she'd want you to have it...
@Johnnypenn (237)
• United States
18 Jun 08
It would depend on the family dinamics. Me, I wouldn't take the money because they are family. If it was someone elses kids outside the family, well, that is completly different.
Here, if your Aunt totally insists upon it. Like it's something she feels very strongly about, go ahead and take the money. Otherwise, stick with your word. Your aunt trusts you and if you've all ready said "no" to the money, and she hasn't brought it back up again, well, you've decided for her.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
17 Jun 08
i think there is no harm for you to take it... you will need the money anyway in the future and it's not really that much... so you don't have to feel that bad... take care and have a nice day...
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
18 Jun 08
Why not try negotiating it with her. I think if your reason is quite justifiable I don't think she won't complain anymore on that. You are much more trusted than a stranger would look for her kids right. I think you just need to formulate how to say it rightly to your aunt.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
18 Jun 08
lebgirl if your aunt wants to pay you for goodness
'sakes take the money. you deserve it and she could
not get another sitter for that price so go ahead.
she would not have set the price if she did not
want you to have it. go ahead make both of you
happy.
@Calyara (6)
• United States
17 Jun 08
I think it's perfectly fine to take the money. Your aunt might feel better if she thinks she's compensated you for your work. Sounds like great conditions though, take it. It's not every day you find a family job like that. You'll be in familiar territory, hired by a familiar person, and making some nice money on the side, all while getting fed and entertained. Nice things in the world don't sit there forever waiting for you to make up your mind.
@latriciajones (846)
• United States
18 Jun 08
i would take it because that extra 24 dollar a week would come in handy with gas and food . so dont feel bad if she wants to pay you then i wouldnt feel bad. if i knew that my aunt really couldnt afford to pay me and she wanted to then i would feel bad.so make that extra cash.honestly these days nothing in life is free.
