So I was lucky to land the easiest babysitting job in the world about a month ago. A divorced man was looking for someone to watch his kids 2 or 3 times a week for just a few hours in the morning and then drop the kids off at their preschool. The preschool was right down the street from me, so I didn't even have to drive. I made a decent amount--not spectacular, but decent--for basically doing my own housework in the morning while they slept and then played with Madie and Kaleb (the other child I watch). I had to get up at 5:30 for it, but that was only an extra half-hour earlier than I normally do anyway. The kids had a habit of tattling a bit, and the boy for some reason struggled to learn Madie and Kaleb's names (which, for some reason, really bothered me--I kept saying, "Don't call them 'babies.' I've told you their names." Probably mostly my problem, I know.) Other than that though, these kids were about as easy as they come, and Madie loved having kids she could talk with, etc., over on a regular basis.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, we had some bad bouts of rain early in the morning. Their father and I had already discussed this possibility in our initial meeting: if it was raining, I would just keep them at my apartment or walk them over at the first break. He was even the one who suggested this. Yet on these mornings I woke two days in a row to find a text telling me he was "concerned about me walking in the rain."
I'm rolling my eyes even as I type.
The next week, with a clear forecast ahead, I woke three days to find texts saying, "The kids are throwing a fit about coming to your house. I think I spoiled them a little last week. I'll just drop them off today and we'll try again tomorrow." (In my mind I'm thinking, So, you spoiled them last week, and your best idea is to keep doing the same thing?) This week, Monday morning the kids, of course, threw fits--why would they not when they know it'll keep their dad home longer in the mornings? This time, I never got a text. He just didn't show up. Finally, he left a message later in the afternoon, saying he would bring them by on Wednesday afternoon so they could get used to me again.
He brought them by yesterday and they were perfectly fine. (I was a little miffed, at him, but the kids were fine.) We talked about how he didn't need to worry about me walking myself, my 2-year-old daughter, and three other young children through the POURING RAIN. We also talked about how he didn't have to worry about me handling the kids crying. They've cried before after he's left and it lasts all of five minutes. Not a big deal. He said he'd bring them the next morning to be dropped off and we thought things were going along fine.
This morning, I was up at 5:30, getting ready for the kids, when finally, at 6 am I decided they were, again, not coming. Again, I got no text or phone call until much later in the day. He said exactly what I was hoping for: "I think I'll just need to find another sitter. Thanks for all you've done!" Hallelujah.
I'm still a little put out by it all and missing out on the extra money is kind of lame, but at least I know I won't have to get up for nothing at 5:30 am a few times a week. I'm also glad I won't have to listen to how "concerned" my client is for me. And besides, the goodbyes in the mornings were extravagant and noisy; lots and lots of kissing noises, and all from Daddy.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, we had some bad bouts of rain early in the morning. Their father and I had already discussed this possibility in our initial meeting: if it was raining, I would just keep them at my apartment or walk them over at the first break. He was even the one who suggested this. Yet on these mornings I woke two days in a row to find a text telling me he was "concerned about me walking in the rain."
I'm rolling my eyes even as I type.
The next week, with a clear forecast ahead, I woke three days to find texts saying, "The kids are throwing a fit about coming to your house. I think I spoiled them a little last week. I'll just drop them off today and we'll try again tomorrow." (In my mind I'm thinking, So, you spoiled them last week, and your best idea is to keep doing the same thing?) This week, Monday morning the kids, of course, threw fits--why would they not when they know it'll keep their dad home longer in the mornings? This time, I never got a text. He just didn't show up. Finally, he left a message later in the afternoon, saying he would bring them by on Wednesday afternoon so they could get used to me again.
He brought them by yesterday and they were perfectly fine. (I was a little miffed, at him, but the kids were fine.) We talked about how he didn't need to worry about me walking myself, my 2-year-old daughter, and three other young children through the POURING RAIN. We also talked about how he didn't have to worry about me handling the kids crying. They've cried before after he's left and it lasts all of five minutes. Not a big deal. He said he'd bring them the next morning to be dropped off and we thought things were going along fine.
This morning, I was up at 5:30, getting ready for the kids, when finally, at 6 am I decided they were, again, not coming. Again, I got no text or phone call until much later in the day. He said exactly what I was hoping for: "I think I'll just need to find another sitter. Thanks for all you've done!" Hallelujah.
I'm still a little put out by it all and missing out on the extra money is kind of lame, but at least I know I won't have to get up for nothing at 5:30 am a few times a week. I'm also glad I won't have to listen to how "concerned" my client is for me. And besides, the goodbyes in the mornings were extravagant and noisy; lots and lots of kissing noises, and all from Daddy.
