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Rainbow 02:55 PM 09-12-2016
I have a neighbor who needs me to watch her kid, only while at the bus stop, at the same time as my kids. So for about 10-15 min if the bus is on time (so far this year it has been 5-15min late each day) Would you charge for this and how much? I'm mostly ok with doing this more as a favor, but I will have one daycare kid here during that time, if the bus is late (which seems likely based on it's current track record...). Has anyone else done this?
Ariana 03:34 PM 09-12-2016
For me it wouldn't be worthwhile to charge her since you have to be there with your own kids anyway. All you are doing is making sure he gets on the bus and she is your neighbour so I personally would do it for free.
nanglgrl 03:37 PM 09-12-2016
I would do it for free but also let her know that you will text her if your son isn't going to school (sick or vacation) so you aren't expected to bring your sick child out to wait for the bus. Also I would make sure she knows that on school delays or cancellations what the plan is.
Unregistered 05:05 PM 09-12-2016
I wouldn't commit. What happens if you are sick or your kids are and you don't go to the bus? If I was going to be out there anyway it wouldn't be an issue to keep an eye on another one for free.
Blackcat31 05:09 PM 09-12-2016
Originally Posted by Ariana:
For me it wouldn't be worthwhile to charge her since you have to be there with your own kids anyway. All you are doing is making sure he gets on the bus and she is your neighbour so I personally would do it for free.
That's kind of like saying "you are home watching your kid anyways so you can take mine for free for 10 minutes while I run to X" For me it wouldn't be worthwhile to charge her since you have to be there with your own kids anyway. All you are doing is making sure he gets on the bus and she is your neighbour so I personally would do it for free.
I never let a client (whether living next door or 10 miles away) talk me into giving away services for free. Even small increments of time. It's my job and to me job = pay.
ANY time I am taking responsibility for a child I charge.
Originally Posted by nanglgrl:
I would do it for free but also let her know that you will text her if your son isn't going to school (sick or vacation) so you aren't expected to bring your sick child out to wait for the bus. Also I would make sure she knows that on school delays or cancellations what the plan is.
I would do it for free but also let her know that you will text her if your son isn't going to school (sick or vacation) so you aren't expected to bring your sick child out to wait for the bus. Also I would make sure she knows that on school delays or cancellations what the plan is.
. have a plan for unforeseen and/or unplanned stuff..
Blackcat31 05:14 PM 09-12-2016
If you do take responsibility for even 10 minutes the child still counts in your ratios in my state (MN).
Here are a couple articles by Tom Copeland that might have useful info or things to consider: http://tomcopelandblog.com/?s=Bus+stop&x=0&y=0
Here are a couple articles by Tom Copeland that might have useful info or things to consider: http://tomcopelandblog.com/?s=Bus+stop&x=0&y=0
Leigh 06:26 PM 09-12-2016
I charge in hour increments. So, I'd charge for at least 5 hours at my drop in rate. Seems like a lot, but she's not going to find someone else to do it for less or she already would have.
Mike 06:54 PM 09-12-2016
I agree with BC. I would only charge a small fee, like $10/week, but would charge something because that kid is your responsibility for that time.
And like nanglgrl said, be prepared for variations.
And like nanglgrl said, be prepared for variations.
Ariana 09:41 AM 09-13-2016
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
That's kind of like saying "you are home watching your kid anyways so you can take mine for free for 10 minutes while I run to X"
I never let a client (whether living next door or 10 miles away) talk me into giving away services for free. Even small increments of time. It's my job and to me job = pay.
ANY time I am taking responsibility for a child I charge.
. have a plan for unforeseen and/or unplanned stuff..
All good points!That's kind of like saying "you are home watching your kid anyways so you can take mine for free for 10 minutes while I run to X"
I never let a client (whether living next door or 10 miles away) talk me into giving away services for free. Even small increments of time. It's my job and to me job = pay.
ANY time I am taking responsibility for a child I charge.
. have a plan for unforeseen and/or unplanned stuff..
KSDC 11:01 AM 09-13-2016
If it were me, I'd be sure to have all of the required paperwork completed, too!
LysesKids 08:57 PM 09-12-2016
Originally Posted by Rainbow:
I have a neighbor who needs me to watch her kid, only while at the bus stop, at the same time as my kids. So for about 10-15 min if the bus is on time (so far this year it has been 5-15min late each day) Would you charge for this and how much? I'm mostly ok with doing this more as a favor, but I will have one daycare kid here during that time, if the bus is late (which seems likely based on it's current track record...). Has anyone else done this?
16 years ago I had a parent only need 35 minutes care in morning and she lived a few houses down from me... bus stopped literally in front of my home; I still had to count her in ratios during that time... I got paid $4 day for 5 days in advance (thanks to a wise mentor); point is just because you work from home does it not count against ratios, or state regulations (MN took the one lady to court over bus stop babysitting if I remember correctly)I have a neighbor who needs me to watch her kid, only while at the bus stop, at the same time as my kids. So for about 10-15 min if the bus is on time (so far this year it has been 5-15min late each day) Would you charge for this and how much? I'm mostly ok with doing this more as a favor, but I will have one daycare kid here during that time, if the bus is late (which seems likely based on it's current track record...). Has anyone else done this?
You are taking the responsibility & Insurance liability for the child... charge for it
mommyneedsadayoff 06:29 AM 09-19-2016
Everytime I have tried to help out neighbors or friends, it ends up being far more help than originally planned and I get taken advantage of, so I don't do it. The line is drawn. During my working hours, my time is paid, whether you need 2 minutes or 2 hours each day. (An example: my son went to preschool and another mom who lived close to us, needed help with pick up. We picked him up amd she just needed 15 minutes to get to my house from her work. She got off work the same time school ended, so we were just filling that small gap of time. Fifteen minutes became 30 and before you know it, she is running errands after work and I have her kid while she shops. Nope! I started charging per hour and low and behold, it went back to 15 min.)
Mike 07:02 AM 09-19-2016
Originally Posted by mommyneedsadayoff:
Everytime I have tried to help out neighbors or friends, it ends up being far more help than originally planned and I get taken advantage of, so I don't do it. The line is drawn. During my working hours, my time is paid, whether you need 2 minutes or 2 hours each day. (An example: my son went to preschool and another mom who lived close to us, needed help with pick up. We picked him up amd she just needed 15 minutes to get to my house from her work. She got off work the same time school ended, so we were just filling that small gap of time. Fifteen minutes became 30 and before you know it, she is running errands after work and I have her kid while she shops. Nope! I started charging per hour and low and behold, it went back to 15 min.)
That's why I would charge a small fee. I'd do it free if that was all I was doing, since I'd be standing there anyway, but I've seen firsthand how doing a small favor can grow. Just a small fee will limit that.Everytime I have tried to help out neighbors or friends, it ends up being far more help than originally planned and I get taken advantage of, so I don't do it. The line is drawn. During my working hours, my time is paid, whether you need 2 minutes or 2 hours each day. (An example: my son went to preschool and another mom who lived close to us, needed help with pick up. We picked him up amd she just needed 15 minutes to get to my house from her work. She got off work the same time school ended, so we were just filling that small gap of time. Fifteen minutes became 30 and before you know it, she is running errands after work and I have her kid while she shops. Nope! I started charging per hour and low and behold, it went back to 15 min.)