Last Labor Day (2005) weekend I gave up my entire weekend to watch a 4 year old and 9 month old for some friends of mine so they could go out of town. We agreed that they would pay me $175 for the entire weekend. They came back to town and didn't have my payment but were going out the next night and hiring a different babysitter for that night. They told me they would leave my payment with the other babysitter in a sealed envelope so I could come get it while they were out. I stopped by to get my $ and the envelope was sealed but there was only $100 in it! HELLO!! McFLY!! $100 for 56 hours only comes to $1.79 per hour for two kids and one being a baby still in diapers and on formula. Plus I gave up my holiday weekend for you guys to go out of town and not have to take your kids!! Slap my hand, I never said anything about it.
Two weeks ago I watched the kids again from Friday evening when I got off work to Monday morning when I had to go back to work. They got home around 4AM Monday and I was asleep, so Monday AM I slipped out quietly to go to work and decided I would get my $ later that evening. Tuesday night I watched their kids again and "Mom" asked if they could just pay me that Friday when "Dad" got paid. I agreed. Friday came and went as did the rest of the weekend. "Mom" and I spoke Sunday evening and before we hung up I had the uncomfortable duty of asking when I could get my $. She replied "Tuesday when you watch the kids again." Monday morning I get to work and have an e-mail that she doesn't need me for Tuesday night. I think to myself "OK self, I'll just get the $ next Tuesday when I watch the kids again." Again, this AM there is an e-mail saying she doesn't need me next Tuesday either. I have tried to call her a couple of times and no one ever answers or returns my calls. She has been busy lately with someone who is ill in the family, which I understand, but it has been two weeks and I could really use the $ now. I'm beginning to think I am being avoided because they don't have the $ to pay me and are waiting for the next payday to roll around. "Mom" is always telling me how broke they are. They brag to their other friends about how dependable I am and how I'm the only one she trusts to leave her kids with. Shouldn't they show their appreciation by paying me accordingly and on time? I really feel like I'm being taken advantage of, maybe not intentionally but I still am.
How do I ask when I can get my $ and what do I say if she underpays me again?
Would you go out of town if you could afford the trip but not the babysitter right away?
They are actually good friends of mine.
My mother suggests I shouldn't babysit for them again until the pay for the last few times I have sat for them.
I watch their kids every Tuesday evening for them (or was anyway).
The funny part about it is that she watches one little girl for someone else two other nights a week for a shorter amount of time than I watch her two kids, and she is getting paid more per night than she is paying me, and she brags to me about it!!
Um, IF you ever decide to sit for them again, money needs to be paid up-front. She has treated you deplorably.
I would ask for the full amount that she owes you, and keep asking for it.
I would figure out how much she owes you altogether. Then I would approach her and say, "Do you agree or disagree that you owe me $___ ?"
Whatever her answer may be, you need to tell her that you need a commitment from her on when she is going to pay you, because you've held up on your end and watched her kids.
You can't expect someone to keep coming back if you're not paying them!
I'm going through the same thing right now, but for less money. I am teaching an art class with this lady, and she keeps telling me to come back so she can pay me. I tried to quit because I already have a job and I give up my lunch break and stay later so I can fit the other job in there, but she's like, "Oh, but I owe you money! Come back on Thursday!"
Well..she owes me $100 now...GRRR!
Why are these people going on weekend trips if they can't afford the sitter? YOu don't go to a resturant and tell them that you'll pay them when you get your pay check.
I wouldn't watch the kids again until I got all the money owed me, they're just taking advantage of you.
It makes it tough that they're friends but it doesn't sound like they're being very good friends right now.
It is hard to ask for money when it's owed to me too - especially from a friend. But to brag that she makes more money babysitting than she pays you??? That would really anger me. 
Maybe you should suggest she pay you on the night she keeps the other peoples kids since you know that she has it then. 
You might even be able to keep the friendship if you approach her on how she would feel if she weren't paid in a timely manner when she babysits, and let her know that you feel let down by her when she does it to you. If she still doesn't pay up then maybe she isn't as good a friend to you as you are to her.
In my opinion, I think you are a great friend to them, but I don't think they've been good friends to you. I think they are using you and probably trying to get away with not paying you.
If they were able to go out of town for the weekend, THEY ARE NOT BROKE! It's a matter of not willing to give, not that they don't have. Apparently you are not their first priority.
Whatever happened to that $75 they owe you from Labor Day weekend? Why an earth didn't you say something RIGHT AWAY? They probably figured if they got away that time with not paying you the full agreed amount, they'll probably get away with it again.
If I were you, I would write a detailed INVOICE with dates, hours and charges you had agreed upon, and give it to her in person. No babysiting till she pays you the full amount owed. Next time, if asked to babysit again, clearify right away that you need to be paid in full at the day of service.
In my opinion, people would walk over you if you let them.
Emi
Exactly how much do they owe you?
If it's a small amount, just be the mature one and say HEY, I'm not gonna subject myself to this. Still maintain a friendship....just be unavailable to babysit.
If it's a large amount, I'd do whatever I'd have to do to get my $!!!!! (but thats just me, lol!)
On the other hand.....are they really good friends? OR................................are they really good friends just because you babysit for them?
Good Luck with whatever you do (and please let us know)! I wish you the best!
Simply put - she is taking advantage of you because you are her friend. Some people think they can do this because someone is loyal to them - so they take them for granted and skip courtesies and promises. Don't get into this anymore than you already have. Just don't babysit for her anymore. You might feel like you are being a bad friend for not "helping" out, but by doing so, you are enabling her to treat you badly. Let the blame fall where it may - because it shouldn't be on you!!!
I manage and apartment building and I can't even tell you all the stories I have heard about not being able to pay rent on time.... some of my favorites:
1) I had a chance to take my family to a hockey game and I couldn't pass that up!
2) It was our anniversary and I decided to take my husband on a fishing trip to Mexico.
3) My son just got a job and I had to buy him some clothes to go to work in.
4) My daughter was on so may auditions this month that I had to take time off of work to get her to them.
5) (My favorite!) They messed up our paychecks so we have to wait for the next pay period (
She works for the school district and he has TWO full time jobs so he can pay child support)
People wonder why I have issues with them! Sheesh!
Anyway, good friends who take advantage of you are not good friends. Stay clear of them when it comes to babysitting!
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