Am I being way cheap?

thatoneredhead

I realize this could be totally flameworthy but nevertheless,  

I work with a gal who needs alot of coverage at work. Her wife babysits my kid when its last minute and shes awesome with him.

I dont -not- want to pay her, but since it's kind of a favor to them we usually just bring them dinner/ pay for theirs when we go out after

So, what say ye? Do I pay her bank like I normally would or since it's usually a favor to them is it ok to be slightly cheap and just pay for dinner? 

 

 

jb2rn

To clarify: You cover her at work, like pick up a shift or the like, and in return, they babysit your child?

If it's a service exchange I see no need for payment, but if it's frequent babysitting, especially last min, I would offer money.

missymo

jb2rn:

To clarify: You cover her at work, like pick up a shift or the like, and in return, they babysit your child?
If it's a service exchange I see no need for payment, but if it's frequent babysitting, especially last min, I would offer money.

This. If you are exchanging services than dinner is a nice perk...but I don't think dinner is enough for babysitting services.

If you'd said she was a friend, I would think differently. Coworker is not the same relationship, you know?

At the very least, offer 20 bucks or so. They may turn it down! In which case dinner is awesome!

ETA: I just re read and I now see what you are saying! When you have to cover for the coworker last minute, her wife watches your LO. In that case I do indeed think bringing dinner over is just fine. After all, you wouldn't need a sitter if you weren't covering for this person, right?