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Keeping kids for a week?
My aunt and uncle both have business trips at the same time and need someone to keep their 3 kids (14, 13 and 8) for a week. I love my cousins, but they are not the best behaved and I know keeping them for a week will be some serious work. My aunt asked if I'd be interested to fly in (on her dime) and keep the kids while they are gone. I'm not working right now, but I do plan to be studying for the GRE at that time. I know I won't get the level of studying done if I'm babysitting them. She didn't mention pay. My husband will be taking the bar during that same week and I am torn about not being there to cook him dinner and rub his shoulders each evening. My husband thinks that it would be more worth my while if I was paid on top of just the plane ticket. Something to the tune of $400-500. Does that seem fair to ask?
Obviously finding someone local would be cheaper... no plane ticket cost and I'm not sure about going rate for a babysitter where they live but I'm family and she knows she can trust me with her kids and home, also its good cousin bonding time. I figure that rate is pretty good since its 24 hours a day... What do ya'll think? Is it okay to ask for compensation? Is $400-500 a reasonable price for keeping kids for a week?
Re: Keeping kids for a week?
Just tell her you cant do it.
Tell her you have to be availible to rub your H's shoulders.
i'd probably say no to begin with.
If you don't want to do it, then just tell her no.
I would either do it and not ask for furthe compensation, or just decline and say you have to study that week.
I'd say no.
I actually did this in grad school during Spring Break one year. My cousins (twins) were 10 that year. They behaved very poorly and I got nothing done that I needed to that week, e.g. you won't get any GRE study time in.
I'd be shocked to dedicate a week of my life for child care for 3 children and not be paid at least $500.
Are these children involved with any activities? Like camp or anything organized? Are you cooking and cleaning, too? Full meals or ordering pizza? When do you think you'll be studying?
I think you have to thoroughly investigate expectations and compensation.
~Benjamin Franklin
DS dx with celiac disease 5/28/10
IMO, if your Aunt & Uncle didn't put compensation attached to the request along with the reimbursed plane ticket, then they have no plans on actually paying you (or are just *hoping* that you won't ask). Flat out asking them would be awkward & presumptious. Although I agree w/you that you should indeed be compensated for your time as that is a HUGE responsibility and a great burden you are taking off of their shoulders, family & money is tricky.
Something about this scenario screams disaster. I would just decline. Focus on your DH and both of your priorities. If you feel that your presence at home w/him will enhance his chance of doing better on the Bar exam, then do that. Plus, you're right, you will probably get little to no studying accomplished if you're away and unless you have a week to throw in the toilet with that, I'd say you're better off giving that your full attention.
I would not ask for compensation unless she asks you to name a price for your time.
We are going on vacation for my sister's DW next June. Our nanny is staying with DS for 4 nights for $1k.
But, she's our employee, so I think that's a little different.
Thanks for the advice. After reading ya'lls replies and thinking it over, I'm just going to politely decline. Its just too awkward to discuss money with family. Since I'm not even sure how to broach the subject, it probably means that I shouldn't even go there.
Besides after supporting DH through 3 years of law school and an agonizing summer of bar prep work, it would kill me not to be there to celebrate with him when its all over. Its worth it to stay and focus on my own thing. Plus I've already seen her kids twice this summer and will see them again next month for a family vacation.
I do think its audacious of her to not offer pay, esp knowing that her and her husband both make 6 figures and that she knows just how little DH and I have, but that's my aunt... I just have to love her and remind myself that everyone handles money differently.
.