6) please tell us where the food is and/or which food we can eat, especially if we come around dinner time. we don’t enjoy rummaging thru your cabinets to find stale pretzels.
7) if you plan on staying out very late (definition varies, but i’d say passed 11pm), then tell me BEFORE i accept the job. maybe i have a test or school the next day? and for goodness sakes, dont call at 11:30 and say you’ll be back in 15 minutes and then don’t come home for an hour. at least tell me your stuck in traffic
8) please call 5-10 minutes before you’ll be home. i’m not doing anything terrible, but its common courtesy. this gives me time to hang up the phone with my friend, gather my books, wake up if i fell asleep… or at least knock before you come in.
9) i watched your kids, maybe even fed them, put them to sleep etc. pay me at least as much as you would your cleaning lady. if you’re not sure what the going rate is, just ask. chances are its more than you think.
As a former babysitter when I was a teen (and now, as the parent of a teen babysitter), I have to say that these truly resonate with me.
The Wolf