How do I ask a friend for money for babysitting her kids?

Question

My friend/next door neighbor have an arrangement to babysit eachothers kids on eveyother Tues and Friday, however, she just got a job bartending and I've been watching her kids for that plus our regular arrangement, and for appointments too! It's getting to be too much of a strain. I have two of my own kids, one has autism, and is 2 years old. My other child is 4. Hers are 3 and 2. How do I ask her for money for all the extra hours of babysitting without hurting the friendship?

Answer 1

if she were any kind of friend she would offer something! there is no way, no matter how close of a friend she is, that she should expect you to watch her kids all the time and not be compensated. I would just come out and tell her straight up that you have a lot on your plate with your own family and that she can either start paying you for your services or she had until a certain date to find a sitter for the time other than what ya'll have previously agreed on.

Answer 2

Just say I'm really sorry, but this is getting to much work for me, and i'm gonna need to start getting paid or else i'm not gonna be able to watch your children anymore. and i also want some money for what i'v alredy done and say please a lot and say like i'm really sorry. also if she accepts your answer saw thank you. =] hope i helped you.

Answer 3

I would go at it from the standpoint of when you were taking care of each others kids, it was an exchange...now you have the kids all the time so she can make money?? How is that fair?  I'd check around your area to see what daycare/babysitters cost, and be prepared with a number for her.  If she doesn't understand that, maybe she's not really your friend.

If it were me, I would have already offered to compensate you...

Answer 4

Friendly babysitting is one thing but if mom or dad is working a job and making money they need to pay the sitter. Whether it's a friend, cousin, sister or grandma. She is taking advantage of you and she knows it. That is not a friend.

Answer 5

well let's see

you'll just have to ask her nicely, there really is no way to ask for money in an indirect fashion. if she is upset, she's not really a great friend, and she should understand your postition, as you have kids of your own and your own hectic lifestyle.

Answer 6

maybe instead of money ask for a week or two off and tell her the exact reasons you told us. she should understand

Answer 7

You don't. You say, "I dont think I can keep doing all the extra babysitting anymore...I'm getting too tired. Lets stick to the old arrangement shall we."

And then if she gets offended she was no friend anyway. You cannot ask for money...it is innapropriate with a friend.

Answer 8

Tell Mary or Sue that the other days are putting a time restraint on you .you need some finacial help for the xtra days.if she's a bartender she will understand.othewise she will USE you. B strong.you have  a life 2

Answer 9

just come right out and say u owe me money

Answer 10

Just tell her that she needs to pay up! shes out there making money and not giving you any for babysitting her kids!?!? Not Cool

Tell her you dont mind helping her out but that its too much and if she wants you to continue watching her kids that you are going to have to charge her!

Answer 11

***** You Betta Have My Money

Answer 12

after she gets her bartending job is more stable, tell her that you helped her out babysitting so she could get the job but you need to care for your kids too and that you either have to cut down on how much you babysit or need to be getting paid money. if she's a true friend and not trying to take advantage or you she will understand. dont let her keep doing this to you!

Answer 13

Calmly tell her...

"I appreciate you as my friend and I enjoy spending time with your kids every other Tuesday and Friday. While we have a deal worked out for the Tuesdays and Fridays that we watch each others children, I now find myself babysitting your kids everytime you have to work or go to an appointment. A day at home with my two children is stressful enough. Now that I am constantly watching your children, it is getting tougher. While I will continue to watch your children when you need it, I will have to ask to be compensated. If you cannot pay me for the extra hours, you will need to make other arrangements for any other day than the Tuesdays and Fridays that I have agreed to watch your children. I hope this will not ruin our friendship, as I cherish your friendship very much, but I needed to make my needs clear."

Do not get upset.

Answer 14

Just say. Well I have to think about my kids too and care for them. And for babysitting your kids. It would be nice if you would pay me for doing it. I really do like helping though.

Or something like that.

Answer 15

If you approach her in an honest manner and be polite about it, all she can do is say "yes, I'll pay you for your time" or "no, I can't afford it".  If she says "yes", great!  Start negotiations on a price.  If she says "no", you don't have to get all upset.  Just make your boundaries clear:  that you have a very busy life as well and would need to be compensated.  Also, let her know that you are here for her, but that in life, your time is your money.  Good luck!

Answer 16

You're just gonna have to sit down and talk to her about it.  There's no beating around the bush.  Tell her that you are more than happy with your previous arrangement, but if she needs to use you as a babysitter on a more regular basis, then you need to work out a new arrangement for that as well.

Answer 17

You should have told her you are charging before you watched her kids, not after. I suggest you start from now and call her over and sit her down. Explain you can no longer babysit the EXTRA hours for free. Tell her how much you expect to be payed in the future. It's not fair to her to ask for money after you provide a service. You should have done that BEFORE you watched her kids not AFTER.

Answer 18

wow girl sounds like your being over worked. this should be semi simple. tell her you have a life to and a job. count how many hours in your week that your watching her kids tell her that number then hint to her that you have kids to and you need money to pay for things. because your watching her kids when you could be working. tell her that you dont want to ruin your friendship but you can keep your normal arrangement without pay but the extra need pay. and if that ruins your friendship she doesnt deserve a friend like you