Soooooo irritated!

[AchtungBaby80]

You all seem like nice objective folks, so I'd like to know if you think I'm overreacting about this. I babysit for one of my cousins who is very, shall we say, difficult. (She's not even 4 yet.) But the family pays extremely well--and I mean, a hell of a lot more than a babysitter would normally make. Here's the catch, though--they never let me know they need me until the very last minute.

Now, this is normally OK when I've nothing going on. But many times I have had to...er...compromise, like missing class. For example, I had a night class this semester that I should have failed because I missed it so much, but the teacher liked me so I got a nice grade (which I feel bad about because I don't think I earned it, but that's another story). But as those of you who are still in school know very well, college students are poor, and I always ended up caving in because I was desperate for the cash.

So yesterday I get a phone call from my sister (the family hardly ever gets in touch with my directly--they always go through my sister, who's closer to them; I feel like she's my pimp or something) saying that they needed me this weekend. Well, I had planned to go out of town to see my boyfriend because finals would be over and I was looking forward to having fun and relaxing before my summer class starts next week. My parents think I should stay here and make the money. I already made plans, though, and don't want to cancel or push them back. But I could always use the dosh. So what do I do?

It's too much to ask that they give me more notice next time. Like I said, the pay usually is enough to compensate for most of the inconveniences. And once, when I mentioned my frustration at their last-minute notice, my sister looked at me like I had three heads and said that since the family was so busy, there was no way they'd know ahead of time when they needed me. (They usually inform me the day before or, more often, the day of.) This makes me want to get a job flipping burgers...hell, at least the paychecks would be regular and I'd know when I was supposed to work!

I am overreacting, y'all?

[IowaHawkeye]

i'm going to use your own advice from the "long distnace relationships" thread

And also, don't make promises that you can't keep; for instance, if you say you're coming to visit, then do it. Don't say you will and then call three hours after you were supposed to be there and say that "something suddenly came up," because even if you're telling the truth, it won't wash.

obviously we know youre telling the truth - and i'm sure your boyfriend does too - haha, but i'm sure he was looking so forward to having to come visit this weekend, and so were you. i would go if i were you. just polietly tell your cousins that you already had plans for the weekend and could not be canceled. maybe that will give them a clue that they need to inform you a little sooner of when they need you - then again, maybe not

[FuzzieAlum]

Hell, I always thought that the busier you were, the more you had to plan things in advance! At least, that's how it works in my life!

They're _very_ lucky they have a relative willing to put up with the crap they're dishing out, because most babysitters wouldn't. No babysitting job is worth flunking class over. And your friends are going to get irritated at being pushed aside at the last minute all the time. Pretty soon you won't have a life, and you'll be available whenever they call.

Their plans are SO high priority to them, the least they could do is respect yours.

[BearyCuteAPhi]

I completely agree with FuzzieAlum!!


Ronnie

[AchtungBaby80]

Thanks, guys. I knew deep down I couldn't change my plans (especially since I talked to my boyfriend last night, and he's already planning where he's going to take me and what we're going to do this weekend). My parents, who think I'm nuts for seeing someone 2 hrs away, would say, "Well, why can't you just wait and go up there Saturday?" But I don't want to give in, because I'm tired of it! They won't have any problem finding someone else because the pay is enticing, but it's not worth the headache.

[damasa]

Go see the bf, you made plans with him first and if he's 2 hours away, it's harder to see him. Maybe this will give the family the idea that maybe they need to give you some kind of notice if they need you. It could work to your advantage.

Blaine

[dzrose93]

I'm glad you've decided to see your bf. It sounds as if your family is taking advantage of you quite a bit, and you've been very accomodating the majority of the time. So, no, you should definitely not have to change major plans just because they have a last minute request.

Enjoy seeing your bf, and don't feel the slightest bit guilty about it! You deserve it!

[Hootie]

I can't believe that they can get away with last minute planning! If they are so busy they should be a little more organized! I can understand the emergancy last minute things, but they can't possibly have those ALL the time (or could they?)!
I think you've done more than "bend over backwards" for them. They overcompisate, yes, but you need a structured life...and it's not fair to you to sacrifice plans because they can't let you know sooner!
Go be with your boyfriend, and don't even think twice about your decision! Enjoy the weekend after finals and let them call you when you return!
Hootie

[SilverTurtle]

I can't believe you missed classes to babysit for them!

I don't remember who it is, but someone here on GC has :

Your lack of planning does not constitue and emergency on my part

in their signature. Something your family needs to learn.

Seriously, I think you should tell them (or your sister, the baby-sitter pimp ) that A You are happy to baby-sit for them, appreciate the opportunity to spend time w/ your little cousin, etc. You don't mind occasional last-minute calls and you understand that things can "just come up". But... B there are times when you have plans (or, hello.. CLASS) that cannot be cancelled or rescheduled. So you would appreciate as much notice as possible, in order to plan your schedule accordingly and be available to them. (Be sure to point out that it will benefit them, because they won't have to scramble around trying to find sitters, etc. That much of their day will be planned and taken care of).

[KillarneyRose]

Originally posted by AchtungBaby80
My parents, who think I'm nuts for seeing someone 2 hrs away, would say, "Well, why can't you just wait and go up there Saturday?"

Hope I'm not too out of line here, buy you should just tell THEM to go babysit the brat!

[Peaches-n-Cream]

I think that you should never skip class to babysit. Also, you should ask them to give you a week's notice for a babysitting job. Good luck!