how to deal with an annoying child I babysit for

jessamommy2

my son is 4 and i watch another boy a few yrs older than my son 2-3 times a week. I get paid 10 an hr and I take him back to my house from his daycare feed him and they play then I drop him off back at his house. The total mile for all of this is 12 miles a day and his mom says he can just eat whatever I am making for my son. So Im only getting 10 an hr and have to give him some of our food and spend about $4-5 a day on the gas.. His mom tells me to make sure he gets fed because he is very skinny and picky and doesnt like to eat only what he wants. I give him food I make and he says he doesnt like it so I am constantly throwing it away because he wont eat it.. its annoying. He is constanlty asking for candy, donuts, etc.. hes the kind of kid where his mom gives him whatever food he wants. I feel like just giving him a plate of food and saying sorry this is all i have and you can eat it or go home and eat something.. sorry for venting but I just feel annoyed and underpaid!

Leila'sMommy

Not worth it, let the mom find someone else to watch the kid.

74dragonfly

I'd raise your rates.

ridesbuttons

I would just give him a plate of whatever it is you are feeding your own kid and let him eat it or not.  Eat or be hungry.

As for the driving around, that is a bit too much.  Mom should be compensating you for the transportation service or pick him up herself.

$10/hr seems reasonable for babysitting, IMO.

shellybird101

I would ask her to provide food for her son because you can not seem to feed him the food he requests.  If it is too much on you I would tell the mother that it is just not working out.

neverblushed

If you feel that $10/hr is a fair rate, and your frustration is mostly about the food problem, just tell her that she needs to pack him a lunch, because he rarely wants to eat what you fix for lunch and you're concerned that he's not getting 

FWIW, I think $10/hour is low for an adult to babysit, especially if the adult is picking up and dropping off.

stever

fredalina:

I agree with the others but I think your math kn the gas is way off. You don't pay 5/gallon and hopefully you get more than 12 mpg in your car. But still not worth it. Suggest you raise your rates or ask her to send food and pay you gas money too.