Should I pay my child's babysitter when we go on vacation?

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dlmfirst

New member
My toddler has been going to this babysitter for 8 months. The way it goes if she takes a day off I don't pay her but if I take a day off on short notice I pay her. She actually runs a home daycare and she has no other children right now. It's very informal, no contracts or anything. I let her know we were going away months ago but I am still wondering whether I should pay her for us being away. This will be the first time I took any days off with advance notice. Obviously we should have discussed this when I hired her!
I should also add that I am not getting paid for my vacation in response to the answer below.
I would also like to add that if you are going to be sarcastic then please don't answer the question.
 
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Kimberly

Member
You should talk to the babysitter. I would at least offer half. It is better to give half than to come home and not have a babysitter. Ask yourself this do you like the service she gives you? And is half not worth keeping that service?
 
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tangyterp83

New member
hmmm...that's tricky. at licensed day cares you have to pay even if you kid doesn't attend or you lose your spot. if she does a good job and you're happy with her services then i would pay her something. Maybe not the full amount, but enough to keep her happy so she doesn't go out and find another family to work for while you're gone. you have to think about it this way...if you leave and don't pay this could be a huge cut on her income and she may be forced to find another kid to watch and your child will have to find a new sitter. just a thought.
 
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lynsey

New member
Taking into consideration that you are not getting paid, maybe you should pay her for half on each day, what you normally would maybe that would be better than nothing. If you can absolutely afford to pay her the normal amount, then it would be a nice gesture to pay her. I only pay my sitter on the days she has my daughter. However, I pay her $20 a day whether she has her the full time, or 5 minutes. If I were you, since you have had her awhile, then if you feel comfortable enough, I would talk to her about what she feels is an appropriate amount. The two of you need to agree on it. Maybe she will say its not necessary to pay her the full amount. Maybe she will say that she was depending on a paycheck, therefore it would be nice for you to pay her. Talk to her and see what she says.
*Also, I just want to add that I have reported highnlow, bc this individual is ALWAYS out of line, and very disresectful everytime I read a post that they posted. I am just encouraging others to do the same, bc I have read that if many individuals do the same, and report, then they will take action. Thank you.
 
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karenmommie

New member
think of her financial situation. if you are her only source of income, or one of few, then it may cause her to struggle. Unpaid vacation time is a killer for people living paycheck to paycheck.
 
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Trinityvalues

New member
Well it would be curtious to pay her for her hours worked each day that your gone. I mean even if you give her a notice you should still pay. Shes taking time out of her day to babysit your kid. She could easily find a part time job and get paid for her work but shes not.
 
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Brandi

Member
I take my little girl to a in home day care as well. We pay her baby sitter rather she is there or not. The way I look at it is- we pay for her spot not the time she is there. We pay her 170 a week regaurdless on if she is there the full week or not. We took a week vacation over the summer and i still payed her in full because I look at it as paying for her spot. I would be very upset if at my job my boss decided to cut my pay check a little because he was going out of town. It depends on the way you look at it. She runs a business she deserves to get paid either way. Good Luck!
 
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muse_10999

New member
I would personally offer to pay her half for the week. That way, you are paying her for continued good service. You are obvioulsy happy with her since he has been there 8 mths. I would just bring it up and say something like "Oh I forgot to tell you, XXX isn't going to be here the last week of October. A nice little break for all of us to recollect. The Friday prior I will bring pay you half for the week I am off becasue I know you depend on the money"
I doubt she will have a problem with this....if she is all about rules she would have set up a contract and made it more formal. She may not even expect to get pay at all, so if she doesn't feel it necessary she would say that it isn't needed.
Daycares usually charge because your child is taking a full time spot. Home day cares are more lienient and easier to deal with. You never know until you approach her with it...the sooner the better and dont be offended if she asks for full pay (half way prepare yourself for that) but I doubt she will. I think she will think you are being overly generous. Afterall, she wants to keep making weekly cash as much as you want your child in her care. Good daycare relationships are win/win.
 
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laughalittle

New member
No you don't have to pay her. Only pay her for hours worked. You shouldn't even have to pay her for short notice. If your kid isn't there then she doesn't get paid. If she expects you to pay her then I would find another sitter.
 
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