Repost....wwyd? Babysitter related..

TriciaChick

I have been working a couple hours 3 days a week for about 3 months.  (Was just offered a 4th day.) We have had a babysitter (sister to dh's friends wife....yes confusing lol) that whole time. She watches my 3 year old and my 18 month old. (Oldest is in school.) 18 month old is sleeping almost the whole time. She charges 10.25 an hour.

I ran into an old collegue at the grocery the other day. She mentioned she was out of work and if I ever needed a babysitter to let her know. She is really nice. An older lady who had 7 kids herself. I ended up explaining the situation to her just to see what she would charge. She said 8 an hour would be fine with her.

Since I was just offered another day at work as well so babysitting cost would definatly go up. I am really looking to save us some money plus I think my old co worker would be good as well. She obviously has experience raising children;) I just feel bad about the current sitter.

I am wondering how you would approach the situation? Would you ask the current sitter if she would lower her price? Would you just tell her your hours changed and you had to find new childcare (current sitter cant sit in the evening bc she has her own kids) so you didnt hurt her feelings? Would you just leave things how they are since kids have sort of "gotten to know" the current sitter?

She has been good about last minute schedule changes for me so in a way I feel bad about just changing sitters but also the extra money adds up over time..... Sorry if this was confusing!!

goofyteacher

I would happily pay an extra $18-24 a week for quality reliable care.

JLS0320

I don't like fixing what isn't broken, especially when it comes to childcare. The amount saved wouldn't be worth it to me, unless there was a problem with current sitter

skibi83

Why not just have the 8/hr lady work the one new day a week for you. Then your not paying as much, and you have two people that have a good relationship with your kids. Just a thought. It will help you out if you end up in a pinch or if one lady ends up ill and can't watch the kids.

mrsseguin

skibi83:

Why not just have the 8/hr lady work the one new day a week for you. Then your not paying as much, and you have two people that have a good relationship with your kids. Just a thought. It will help you out if you end up in a pinch or if one lady ends up ill and can't watch the kids.

This is what I was thinking too.  That way also you could try out the new sitter and see how she does and how she fits in.  What if she found work again and was making more than $8/hr?  She's probably leave you, then you'd be stuck.  I'd use her as more of a backup.

laurakaz13

mrsseguin:

skibi83:

Why not just have the 8/hr lady work the one new day a week for you. Then your not paying as much, and you have two people that have a good relationship with your kids. Just a thought. It will help you out if you end up in a pinch or if one lady ends up ill and can't watch the kids.

This is what I was thinking too.  That way also you could try out the new sitter and see how she does and how she fits in.  What if she found work again and was making more than $8/hr?  She's probably leave you, then you'd be stuck.  I'd use her as more of a backup.

This is what I would do.  I would not switch sitters completely.  I like to have several sitters at our disposal. 

TriciaChick

Thank you girls!! Honestly you really helped me!!!;)  I think I am just going to stick with the one lady.  It will just be easier.  I will consider having the other lady just do the one day a week though as well.  Never thought of that as an option!