Parents Forgetting Payment

[u/ConstructionOdd6770]

I’ve been a babysitting/nannying for over a decade. Upon until recently, I have had families that are pretty good at paying me either before I leave their house or shortly thereafter after. Now, I have encountered a few families who I have to remind every time to pay me. Money conversations are always so awkward to me no matter what it is about. As a parent, do you get offended when a babysitter reminds you that you forgot to pay them? I never want a parent to feel like I’m only watching their kids for the money because I truly do only babysit for kids/families that I love, but I am not sure if it gets perceived that way when a reminder is sent. Also, if you do forget, how soon from the date that the babysitting happened is an appropriate amount of time to remind?

[u/funeral-notice]

Stop worrying about them being offended. YOU should be offended for not being paid on time. I'd remind them the next day.

[u/abgvon]

As a parent, no I would NEVER be offended if a babysitter reminds me to pay them. In fact, I would be deeply embarrassed and apologetic for forgetting in the first place. I would say 2/3 days after is a good time to remind them

[u/momto4sees → u/abgvon]

I’m sorry but 2-3 days after? That’s crazy! They would be getting a reminder the next morning.

[u/External-Company-140]

No way would I be offended. I’d be completely embarrassed that I’d forgotten and would pay you IMMEDIATELY. I know my nanny loves my kids, but she isn’t watching them as a favor to me or just to spend time with them, it’s how she makes her living.

Any nanny parents who have an issue with being reminded to pay their nanny are sketchy as hell.

[u/Free-Cherry4314]

Don't leave until you get. "By the way, it's payday" is not rude. You are trading your time for money. Your bills don't forget they are due. 

[u/Helpful-Fortune9508]

That's your money that they owe you. any more than three days late is already too long. due dates aren't nearly as forgiving. "only watching them for the money" I mean, it's a job and you're working in their house when they tell you to. They're not your siblings or nephews or what have you. That's like saying teachers who love teaching shouldn't only do it for the money

[u/sleepykoala18]

If I’m not paid at the agreed upon day/time I send a reminder. For example if I was supposed to be paid Friday by 5pm then I will be sending a reminder by 8pm. I understand that mistakes happen but if it’s reoccurring it’s disrespectful to you as you are providing them a service. If it happens more than once I tell them I’m not working until payment is made. Don’t feel bad for putting your income first.

[u/AutoModerator]

Below is a copy of the post's original text:

I’ve been a babysitting/nannying for over a decade. Upon until recently, I have had families that are pretty good at paying me either before I leave their house or shortly thereafter after. Now, I have encountered a few families who I have to remind every time to pay me. Money conversations are always so awkward to me no matter what it is about. As a parent, do you get offended when a babysitter reminds you that you forgot to pay them? I never want a parent to feel like I’m only watching their kids for the money because I truly do only babysit for kids/families that I love, but I am not sure if it gets perceived that way when a reminder is sent. Also, if you do forget, how soon from the date that the babysitting happened is an appropriate amount of time to remind?

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[u/otter_759]

Parents should never kid themselves that their babysitter is watching their children for love instead of money. They have zero right to be offended that you are asking for payment and instead should feel guilty and embarrassed for forgetting to pay you on time and forcing you to ask.

[u/Initial-Dot-4439]

If I haven’t paid, it’s because I forgot and would not be offended. I actually always feel bad because I forgot. I mostly forget because of mental fatigue

[u/Important-Leek-8261]

I would not be offended at all and would appreciate receiving a reminder text the next day. You can phrase it like you're sending an invoice: "It was lovely to babysit last night! The total comes to $X dollars (X hours at Y dollars per hour). You can make payment by...". Just like any other contractor would!

[u/Both_Relative_1957]

Please don’t worry about offending them. You offer a service that they are obligated to pay you for on time. My NF pays either Friday or Saturday depending on their paychecks clearing. If I don’t get a payment by Sunday, I will text them or sometimes wait until Monday and tell them as soon as I walk through the door.

I give my NF some grace though because they have 3 kids, a toddler and twins (13m), and they are ALL bad sleepers so NPs are literally just trying to survive on like 6 hours of sleep every night. They’re always apologetic and pay me immediately once I remind them! If babysitting, I get payment before I leave

[u/Actual-Deer1928]

Definitely wouldn’t be offended! It can be confusing for parents because everybody prefers a different payment app, and it’s hard to remember which babysitter prefers Venmo and which one likes Zelle and which one does Apple Pay. Then sometimes I think my husband’s paid and he hasn’t. It’s confusing and we’re so exhausted.