Well, I’ve had the worst Christmas ever. Money has been tight and I’m run down after the last three months of minding three children as well as my own, for a pittance. Maybe you could advise me here…
My next door neighbour but one, went back to work after maternity leave and asked me to mind her baby (4 month old boy) toddler (3 year old girl) and eldest girl (7 year old) I mind them from 7.40 am 3 or four days a week depending on her shifts, until 6.30pm or thereabouts. The eldest gets on the school bus from our estate at 8.30am and gets back at 3pm. She was giving me €50 euro a day.
A few weeks ago, she asked me would I mind them from 3pm in my home and then stay over at her house and would collect the children from my house the following day. I said yes and she asked me to text her what I would charge. Here was my chance to ask for more money for the day shift! So I texted back €100 for overnight and €70 per day for the three children. She called at my house and asked that while she was ‘getting back on her feet’ would I accept €60 per day, I said that I would. She said we’d come to another arrangement on the New Year.
So, here’s my rant…Creches charge €60 per day for ONE child! I want to stand my ground, but I’m not confrontational and wouldn’t like to fall out with the mother.
The baby is hard work. He screams when I leave the room or if he can’t see me!
Ooo, difficult! It’s hard to change an arrangement once it has begun. Also, it is more difficult to have a businesslike arrangement if you are not registered, inspected and a member of a chlidminding organisation. Perhaps you could investigate the option of becoming registered and then you can negotiate with official rates?
Alternatively, it does seem like your neighbour is getting very cheap childcare and maybe if you tell her you can’t continue for such a low amount she will realise and be prepared to pay more like the going rate. What option does she have? I know, as a working mum myself, that childcare costs can be very expensive, but it is part of the price of working. I paid approx £40 per day (for nine hours) and thought my childminder was worth every penny. (btw I also paid for Bank Holidays and four weeks holiday a year, when childminder didn’t have my daughter, as part of the contract. Perhaps you should become registered and earn a decent amount childminding?)
Sounds as if she’s getting the better end of the deal. The advise from Working Mom is good, but may not apply to you. I think I’d tell your neighbor that beginning the New Year you’ll have to have new rates, or won’t be able to continue. That’ll make her evaluate, to keep you or find another arrangement; which may be difficult.
Yikes, is right. You definitely have to negotiate to make it fair for you too. When the New Year comes voice your opinions, it’s nice to help her out, but it is a lot of hard work. I’m sure that even if you ask for more, it will still be less than if she went elsewhere!
I bet she could offer more seeing as you taking on such a huge task plus your own children.. So I would go with my gut and ask her for a little more.. a 100 a day is not unreasonable..
I’m not going to offer any advice, except to say if you are unregistered, you run the risk of being investigated. There are advantages to being registered and inspected, like being able to get insurance cover. A proper contract is much easier to enforce and can be reviewed regularly.
You don’t say if you WANT to keep watching the children…Assuming you do, I’d ask for what I need and let her know you really can’t budge on it.
Let us know what happens.
After looking at dollar to euro conversion, you are being WAY underpaid. Three kids for 50 euro a day is really low. If 70 is what you want, stick to your guns.