Last week I posted that my DCP had gone into the hospital and I was wondering if I should pay for the week that DS hadn't attened. The general consensus was that yes, I should pay for reasons of good karma and being kind. DH and I agreed on this, and I sent her a check for the week. She is now out of the hospital but is not working this week. So -- do I pay again? (Sick time is not covered in the contract we have with her. We do pay her two weeks vacation, and we gave her a Christmas bonus of 2 weeks pay.)
She got out of the hospital on Thursday, and I called her Sunday night to see how she was doing. I figured DS wasn't going this week because she hadn't called, but I wanted to check in on her. She said she's not taking kids this week, but that she hopes to be back to normal by next week. So should I pay for this week? I'm thankfully working from home this week, but I am super-swamped and it's going to be hell for me trying to get things done. I'm thinking I might hire a babysitter to just come in for a few hours if possible on Wed-Friday.
Re: OK, Now WWYD?
Nope - I wouldn't pay this week.
I remember this post and I was one who said to pay her. If you are sure she's coming back next week (and if you really love the care she provides) I would pay her either the difference of what you'll be paying for a sitter or the week or maybe discuss it with her if she wants her "vacation" pay this week to help out. I think you've been generous already so I would hate to say pay her again. Although I most likely would myself. I would discuss the 09 vacation pay thing and maybe this week can count for one of the year's vacation weeks.
This is probably a good idea, but I am so damn uncomfortable when it comes to discussing money matters -- I know it's bad, but it's true. I don't know if I can ask her to give up a vacation week, kwim?
I pay her about $60 a day, and DS goes between 3 and 5 days a week, for the posteer who asked.
Here's what I would do if I were you. AVOID conflict and just not pay her. Then leave it up to HER to ask for payment...
Then when she asks, you can clarify that you can't afford double daycare expenses while she's out and you're hiring a babysitter. See what she says.