am i being unreasonable?

[lulubelle]

to cut a long story short, parents have been having problems for a while, 2 weeks ago dad went on holiday, the day he was due home he called to say he mad maleria (spelling) so was unable to travel. He finally got back to the uk today and went to collect his car from his sis to find flat battery and flat tyres so has had to pay out to fix that.
They have a term time only contract but i agreed to look after the children tomorrow so mum and dad can spend a day together before he goes back to work on tuesday. well this morning i get texts asking me to look after the children at REDUCED rates as they cant afford it but really need time together!
i have said i am not prepared to reduce my rates as this is my job and not something i do for fun but i will look after the children for as many hours as they can afford to pay me for. havent had a reply yet but i feel mean! but in other jobs this would be seen as over time and get a higher rate of pay etc!!!

[Kiddleywinks]

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all :thumbsup:

[sarah707]

They wouldn't get to the till in Tesco and ask for a discount would they..?

You are not being unreasonable xx

[lulubelle]

good point sarah! They are skint yet the week before he went they had a long weekend in suffolk and then he went to uganda! They also have 2 cars etc, so i just kind of think they need to get prioritys right

[Mouse]

I agree with the other replies. You are being very reasonable offering to look after the children for just the hours the parents can afford.

[lulubelle]

thank you. i was feeling very mean (and also stupid for turning down money) but i would rather just spend some quality time with my kids then earn next to nothing! I have my own 2 toddlers anyway so the money i earn is very minimal anyway as only 1 toddler space!

[Ripeberry]

They are trying it on. Why tell you about the illness and then about the car?
Ignore and just charge as normal. You are NOT a charity once you give an inch they will take a mile and not thank you for it. :mad:

[ziggy]

unbelievable:laughing:

And will they be asking do pay reduced mortgage, gas etc this month??????

I used to mind on an adhoc basis for a friend, she was always moaning about money but then bought a new car, has weekend away at least once a month and has a house here and in England. Got fed up of her asking me to mind children then changing her mind. 2 weeks ago she mentioned a local teenager was minding the kiddies as she's cheaper, then asked could i take her schoolie up to the teenager when i'm doing school run. I dont need to tell you what my answer was lol. Think she got the message as she hasnt asked me to mind her kiddies since

[wendywu]

They want something for nothing :mad:

If they dont pay the going rate then they do not need the time together that badly.:rolleyes:

[Bluebell]

Completely agree with all above. its not like you are letting them down for work either they just want a day without kids! Well done for pointing out this is a job not a hobby!

[breezy]

As above, you're right, they're cheeky!

[The Juggler]

to me its simple. if you can't afford the childcare for the luxury of a day together, you don't get the day together - how many of us can afford that luxury :panic::panic:

tell him you're sorry but if he wants to cancel the day thats fine with you ;)

[littlecheeks]

to be honest, yes i think you ARE being unreasonable. i mean you should really offer to look after them for a week for free, so they can have some real time together! i also think maybe you chould offer to pick the children up each day, drop them off and while your there make breakfast in bed for them and drop off some dinner!

some people!! :laughing:

[lulubelle]

to be honest, yes i think you ARE being unreasonable. i mean you should really offer to look after them for a week for free, so they can have some real time together! i also think maybe you chould offer to pick the children up each day, drop them off and while your there make breakfast in bed for them and drop off some dinner!

some people!! :laughing:

lol!

well i worked 11-5 as they decided they really did need time together! mum said sorry for being cheeky but if you dont ask you dont get!

[bunyip]

@Lulubelle. You were being totally reasonable asking for full bubble, especially as it appears you were offering additional hours above normal contracted hours. :littleangel:

Let me get this right. They spent money on the car first, then thought about the childcare and said, "hey, maybe we can get our darling child(ren) looked after on the cheap."

It's quite clear who was being unreasonable - the parents.:angry:

[md0u0131]

:angry: grrrr the cheek of them!