Wednesday

I Want My Money...

opinion dec
What is a good way to ask for money you are owed for a babysitting job? A mom forgot to pay me last week & hasn't brought it up yet even though we have spoken a few times since then.

11 comments:

MissMannah said...

Are you insane? You just flat out ask her. You shouldn't have left her house without your money, but since you did, you need to get that money from her ASAP! Why in the world are you waiting for her to bring it up? She's probably thrilled to death that she's found a doormat who will provide free babysitting services.

CookieNanny said...

As someone who wants to crawl in a shell and die every time money comes up (seriously, I can barely even make eye contact when I get my paycheck), I totally understand why this is stressing you out. Here's the thing though: this is YOUR money now, not hers. She is still holding it, but you earned it. One way of bringing it up would be to say, "Hey (mom), I was wondering if you had gotten a chance to get together the (amount owed) for watching (child) on (date)?"

If, for whatever reason, she says no, then you can say, "Okay, well I'll just need that by (deadline set by you)!"

It doesn't have to be unpleasant, just get your money. Good luck!

Becca said...

I made the mistake of not asking up front never got it lesson learned.
Now I don't leave without it.

OT, but how much would you charge for 35 hours of care a week for a 3 month old?

nanny V. said...

@ becca.... 35 hours? That doesn't sound like baby-sitting to me. I'm sure the baby was awake some of that time and you performed some duties. So it would have to be an agreed per-hour rate.
OP, you have to ask her to pay you one way or another.
I, personally, have strict instructions to remind my boss on Friday that it is Friday and therefore payday, cuz she has so many things on her mind that it's a nightmare for her on top of everything else to keep track what day of the week it is. And I don't really care WHEN I get paid - as long as I do get paid - since I have no living expenses whatsoever.
But if I babysit elsewhere I don't leave before I get paid and I haven't had a case when "forget" to pay me.

nanny V. said...

... when they "forget" to pay me. :)

Just My Two Cents Just Now said...

I would bring it up before it becomes old news since by then it is possible the mother would think she already paid you.

Maybe say to her via e-mail, phone or in person: "I feel awkward bringing this up, and I am sure you didn't mean to, but I never received my payment last ______ for babysitting ________ and I was wondering if I could paid today."

I have a feeling the mother straight out forgot to pay you and she probably will be embarrassed and pay you ASAP!

Anonymous said...

MissMannah is right again. You shouldn't have left the house without the money, or an IOU. Good luck getting it now.

Krizz said...

No one forgets to pay for services rendered. The best way to ask is flat out. And don't ask tell. it's better . Asking gives her chance to delay even more. Say something like "Is it convenient for me to come over tonight to get the money for those hours I babysat or is tomorrow at (Insert time here) better?" If neither works for her you can say "What time works best for you tomorrow or the day after bcause after that,I will be pretty busy ." Don't give the opportunity to delay more than another day or two at most.

Momwest said...

I rarely forget to pay my sitters but with all the distractions a mom has nowadays, if I did, I would want them to tell me ASAP! e.g.,"Could you pay me for Saturday night?" I always note when I have paid a sitter on my calendar so if one of us should forget, I can look it up. Give your boss the benefit of the doubt and ask. :)

Unknown said...

Mine hasn't paid me in two weeks. 8 days, $20 a day, two kids! She owes me $160.

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