What did I do wrong?

Well lets see. If she has a problem she should have talked to you about it first before looking for a new sitter. You have done nothing but teach and help her children. If it was me I would call her and tell her that Im done watching the kids and she can be on her way. She hurt you by doing this and thats not right. You have done NOTHING wrong so dont think you did. She apperantly has a problem but dosent want to talk you you about it. I wouldnt worry to much about it. Just tell her your done and wipe your hands of her. Hope this helps some. ~May The Kisses Of An Angel Cover And Protect You Always!~ Copper

Yes, I think you should ask her. I think you have the right to know. If you were quitting the job wouldn't you give some notice? Well she should do the same for you.

If you babysit more than just her two at the same time maybe she is looking for someone that will just watch her two and give more one on one. It doesn't mean she thinks you are a babysitter or anything. Ask and try to be understanding no matter what she tells ya.

I would be sad, or worried, at first. On the other hand it may be a matter of hoping to get a young person for a cheaper rate for the summer, or wanting to check other rates. I think I would tell her what I learned and ask for an explanation.

I would want to know why? That is not very nice going behind your back looking for another sitter and not telling you? Maybe they dont want you to know or you may leave them without a sitter and they cant find another then there is no one to look after the children. They are being very sneeky? Ask them what they are doing and charge them more if they want you to stay, that will teach them to be dishonest?

Would she start this early for a new sitter for when you go back to school maybe? You need to be candid and just ask her. Life is too short to hee and haw around about it. Your stress level will be off the charts. You don't need that.

That just burns me up, Feona! I really hate it when someone you have any kind of relationship with cannot be open and above board with you about their true feelings. I don't understand why you have remained silent for so long because were I in such a situation I would have asked some questions right off the bat. You should try to get to the bottom of this by all means!

yes, you should call her and ask why your service is not needed anymore, it maybe for something you may or may not have done it never hurts to have an answer. The situation could be something that can be rectify. So, go ahead and ask.

relax feona...maybe she was just looking for a sitter that might work for the weekends or maybe she is just looking for a back up sitter incase you will be not working for them when you are sick...just relax..wait for them to tell about the problem if not just ask them...ask the kids too if they like you or not.hope this had help.

I would call her and ask her. I would be hurt also but I'd also be angry at the way she is going about it. Maybe you did nothing wrong. Maybe your rates are higher than what she can really afford or some other reason that has nothing to do with you. If you did do something wrong, you deserve an explanation and a chance to explain yourself. Also and this is what would make me the angriest....this is your income and you deserve a notice at the very least so that you can be looking to replace those 2 kids when she finds a new sitter. She is looking after her own situation with no regard for you at all. And also one would have to wonder, if you did something so wrong that she feels she needs to find someone else, why in the world is she still bringing her kids to you? So pick up the phone and call her.

Hi Feona, long time no see! I read through and maybe you're doing too good of a job? It could be that those kids totally love you and don't shut up about you at home or at grandma's house and now either mom or grandma is totally jealous. That's actually very common with sitters & nannies and why a lot of people switch. I know it's retarded but it happens. A lot of working moms feel guilty that they're not there with the kids 24/7 and so when they see that their kids get that close to another woman who is providing care to her kids, she feels betrayed and jealous. I used to work with a woman who fired so many nannies because her daughter adored them and so she'd feel like they were trying to take her place. If I had a sitter that my kids adored... I'd feel super lucky not psycho but everyone is different. It could also be that they need someone who will come in home for them? Gas being what it is and all. Whatever the reason, let them know that it's not cool to be all shady like that. Oh and the not bringing the kids or even calling some days, let them know that for $15 an afternoon that kind of sh*t so does not fly!

If it were me, I'd call her and ask about it to see what she has to say. It might be over something other than you such as moving or she may want someone who's closer to her or some other reason that I can't think of so yeah, I'd call and ask her why. It's the only way you're going to know.

i do not blame you for feeling hurt, the veryidea of them 'doing that is preposterous. If they had a complaint they should have been upfront about it. That is very odd indeed and not to say a word to you.I would indeed call her and ask her what the heck is going on as you do need some 'closure on this situation. this is really strange.

i think you should approach them to see why they are wanting a new sitter because u have been watching the kids for quite some time and they have gotten attached to u so i think you should ask because it is wrong for them not to tell u why if they are in a sense laying you off

Hi Feona, I would confront them and find out what they think you are doing that is wrong. It is hard to do but it might clear up some bad feelings. We went through the same thing. we were babysitting for my wifes nephews. There mom was mad at us because she would send food for the kids to eat but it was just junk food and we fed the kids nutritious food and left her junk in the bag. She was so mad about it that she found a different sitter for them and had to pay three times the amount that she paid us. All because we did not agree with feeding only sugared up food to her kids. Mark

Let me play devil's advocate for a minute okay? What if she heard somewhere that you were going to stop watching her kids?and she doesn't want you to know that she knows, but she is getting ready just incase? It is hard to know exactly what is going on here. Obviously she posted an add, where everyone could see, she had to know there was a chance you would see it as well... Obviously, you have to talk to her I think everyone here has come to that conclusion, as well as yourself. I don't think though that I would be "what's up?" or anything like that. You are babysitting her kids, you are in a way a professional of sorts. When she comes to drop off the kids, I would just say "So Funny thing happened...when I was on (whateverplace you were that you saw the add) And I noticed you were looking for childcare?" Pause to see reaction..."I was just wondering if there is anything that I can do..." I believe the last thing you want to do at this point is sound hurt or even desperate, asking what did I do wrong? or why are you looking for someone else? Yes it hurts like hell, however, if her intent wasn't to get someone altogether new, just for fill in's etc. she will know she has you no matter what, and you could run the risk of even longer hours....non-payment, etc because she knows how much you would do to keep her kids, and how much you would be sad if they were gone? Just my two cents! I just got done working in a family dayhome and am now opening my own!

Hi Feona, I'm sorry that is happening to you. You are such a sweet person and I'm sure they are lucky to have you as a sitter. My idea is to call the add and act like you are interested in the job, maybe they will tell you some information you don't know. Then I would tell them who I was and ask them why. I don't know if that would work or not, but it might be worth a try. I'm sure you really love those kids, but I'm sure you wouldn't have a hard time finding other people to babysit for. Let us know how this turns out. Good luck!!1

I think that you should ask her, because it is not fair if she suddenly says "sorry my children are going to be look after elsewhere" as this is taking away your income. She should give you warning, so that you can find some more children to look after, so you are not left out of pocket. I cannot tell you what you have done wrong, neither can anyone else on here, the only person who knows is the Mam and possibly the children.

Oh no you found out.... I think you should sit down with her and ask her exactly what is going on. People change sitters for different reason, doesn't necessarily mean you did something bad/wrong, she may have her own personal reasons. Which is in your best interest to know why she has come to such a decision. if she doesn't chose to tell you when you ask then don't push it, but i don't see a reason for her not to tell you. Look on the bright side after ward it may be for the best, a new opportunity may lie a head. Hope i helped.

of course they should have come to u first. i don't like to be stabbed in the back & to me that's just what they did to you. i had an employee in the beauty shop that did me that way once. really p.o. me . everybody in the shop including my mother knew it. i found out & i called her up & told her to come get her things.if she'd been up front w/me it would have been fine because i really didn't care for her anyway.i'd have to ask them why but that's just me.