~I Had To Say No~

I think you made the right call. If your policy is that care must be paid for up front, then that's the policy. It's not like it's unheard of for payments to be made up front in childcare, given that the majority of centers I've dealt with have all had similar policies. I can see her possibly needing to check the balances of her accounts before committing to having you watch her kids, but I agree the way it was handled was a bit weird. If I knew my account balance was running low, I'd be up front with the person and explain that I needed to check to make sure I had the correct amount--and check to see if payment arrangements could be made ahead of time.

I think you may have been right but maybe not. Won't say how or when but I was burned that way a few times...providing services/products before payment. It did not work out a few times but the times it did work I did very well. Would it have been a regular thing for her to use you or just a one off? I remember you talking about the legalities but can;'t remember the facts...is it ok for you to watch that amount of kids without being registered? If it would be a regular thing and you're ok legally I'd maybe have taken a chance and said yes but made her sign a payment agreement. If it was just a one off i'd have said no too unless I had no other clients then I'd have taken the chance.

Sometimes, it's hard to say whether things would have worked out or not, but sometimes you just have to go with your gut instinct. You have to do what you feel is best. I have a hard time saying no as well, but sometimes I have too.

I think you were right to do that. You aren't offering your services for free. Usually when I house sit I get paid half at the start and then the rest after the people come home. That way everyone is on the same page and they know I'm not just going to take the money and run. I need a little bit of money beforehand because that's how I pay for gas to go to and from the house.

That' not really fair is it? I think you probably did the right thing. I wouldn't ask if I didn't have the money but I guess sometimes people find it difficult to come up with ready cash.

it was most likely a good idea, if you didn't know the woman personally.

I agree that there are times we really have to say NO. We would like to help, but we need to do what is good for our family as well. Recently, I have been working hard on a few software projects (I am a freelance programmer), and I did not get paid at all. Either the client was too busy to talk about the project, or the project is on hold now. I should have collected some deposit before I started work, but because they are my husband's friends, so I did not do so, but rushed the projects for them, and ended up the projects are lying down there. I feel bad as when I was working hard for the projects, I was like neglecting my children, but I thought these projects can help to bring some good money for our family, then it's fine to spend those time. Now, I don't think I would like to develop the software for free, or I will not put the projects as my highest priority and neglect my children even in a short period. I guess we just learn from our experience or mistakes we have made.

True you can't say yes to everything.

I would imagine that it hurt your heart to say that to her, but you have to keep your own loved one's best interests in mind, and that is what you are doing. It won't be long and you'll be doing the back to school thing with your kids, and you cannot buy their supplies on a promise until next week.

i don't blame you, so many times things backfire when you try to do a good deed

I am the same really, I find it hard saying no to people as I a bit of people pleaser too.

You were smart to say no as this is your business and you have to make sure you get paid.

Tell them you also need the money immediately so they should pay at once. Don't be sorry if you said no.

It's very thoughtful of You and please don't feel so down about it. It might make you more upset if you get the job without payment.

You made the right call.

I gather you don't know her well, and I agree it's not worth taking a chance. Besides which, 4 of somebody else's children would not be easy to look after.

Yeah, I don't like putting my self in situations where I might get burned.

You did the right thing, thank goodness she called and told you ahead of time.

That was the only thing you could do!

I too would have said no without thinking.Being you`re not registered,she could refuse to pay you and nothing much you could have done so be happy you said no. It`s not as if she`s someone you know from the past who you can trust