Redzy: Where to begin? A girl usually babysits to earn money, not because she loves spending her evenings at strangers’ homes. If you don’t enjoy babysitting, then don’t. I don’t see the problem.
Now, let’s say you decide to babysit.You have every right to let the people know how much you charge an hour. If they can’t afford you, I understand. If you want to do chessed and inform them that whatever they pay is fine with you, wonderful.
Be upfront with people but speak respectfully. You can tell them that you would love to babysit, but you have a test, paper, homework, due and the kids must be in bed when you arrive or be in bed at a certain time. Nothing wrong with that. It shows that you are taking your duties seriously.
Of course if the kids are wild and not cooperating, you don’t have to return. If you see that the parents are really trying to respect your wishes, work with them. If they kid woke up, maybe he was not feeling well. You have to take each situation as it comes.
Now, as far as being comfortable, what does that mean? To me it means that the babysitter has a couch to sit on, a table she can sit at and do homework. What else would a babysitter need? I am not being sarcastic. I just really want to know.
When my kids were younger, I only left them with babysitters that I trusted and they in turn wanted to babysit. Why would I or anyone in his or her right mind hire a babysitter that does not want to babysit? My kids are most precious to me and I would rather not attend the simcha/meeting/whatever, than leave my kids with someone who REALLY does not want to be in my house.
If you really hate babysitting, then don’t. I am sure there are other things for you to do to earn money. If you are O.K. with babysitting, great. Put a smile on your face and show them what you are made off. It is a good way to learn how to present yourself and your work ethics for the future, where you will have to hold down a job.
Very few people in this world are born with a silver spoon in their mouths. The majority of people have to work for a living. Trust me, there are some days that I don’t feel like going to work, it’s only normal. But when I am at work I have the achrayus for the job that I was hired for. And if I am already at work, I might as well do it with a smile. It’s the same price:)
I am being very honest when I tell you that all these words were written in the nicest possible way. Never to criticize. I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings, chas v’shalom. I just wanted to inform you.
By the way, my kids are older now and they fondly remember one of their babysitters. She used to come prepared with booklets of coloring books and stickers. stories galore. I knew my kids were going to be O.K. with her. No price can match the fondest of memories. Whatever you decide to do: Hatzlacha:)
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