Hello...

I’m posting to ask for advice, and I will be anonymous because I’m not sure if this will turn into a serious debate or not..

I started baby sitting in my home about a year ago because we needed the extra income. I asked for 20 dollars per child per day. I was doing date nights, last minute, weekly, overnight or just for a few hours. My husband felt like I was asking for to little so I upped to 30 dollars per child per day. Then parents started complaining it was to much. So I went back to 20.

I made tons of money with the 20 dollars. I even was able to pay off one of our bills..

Well I stopped baby sitting because I got pregnant again. Once the fatigue and the throwing up stopped I went back to it.

Now I tell parents whatever they can afford is fine with me but they have to provide food and every thing else for the child.

Well I’ve had tons and tons of people contact me. I try my best to be understanding of the situation people may be in because I’m a stay at home mom, and I’m struggling..And there was someone who only paid me 10 dollars to watch her child for 9 hours.. but she also expected me to feed her and give her drinks. Also to help potty train her.. but I couldn’t afford to keep feeding her child every day so I told her I couldn’t do it anymore.. then there was someone who wanted me to drive to their house to pick up their 7 year old from the bus stop to bring her back to my place for a few hours for 23 dollars . I was okay with that. But when the 7 year old got to my house every 20 minutes she asked for a snack. Literally. I wouldn’t have had an issue with it but her parent wasn’t paying me till they got paid which wasn’t until every 2 weeks.

My husband and I are struggling, and the food in the house has been very little.. that’s why I picked up Baby sitting in the first place..

I usually get food that would last us a week and a half.. when I baby sat the 7 year old our food went from a week and a half to only 5 days..

I fed her because I felt bad for NOT feeding her but I also was stressing about our food supply.

And yes I fed her lunch, snacks, and dinner. Even snacks after dinner..

So I told my mom about the issues I’ve been having, and she’s thinks people are taking advantage of me, and I need to up my price. I don’t want to do that because of last time..

My in laws believe I’m asking for to much, and I need to be more understanding about people’s situation..

So I’m not sure what to do..

I’ve had two parents recently contact me to baby sit their three children.

But they only wanted me to watch them for 8 hours for 30 dollars...

I couldn’t do that.. but now I’m upset with myself because maybe I could have..

Any advice on what I should do?

Hopefully I don’t get to ripped up in this post..

If you have a question I will post the answer to your question in the topic.

Thanks...