When do you call a late parent when babysitting?

Question

I have been watching a friend of mines baby for more then 48 hrs. She was supposed to pick her up by noon. The baby is fine. She is a really good baby. I have not heard from mom since she dropped the baby off on Tuesday at 1pm. The thing is that today I am feeling ill and have gotten no sleep the last two nights. I feel like I am gonna run out of energy. Currently my friend is almost an hour and a half late. I am not being paid this well basically not *$10 is all she had*.

My question is how long would you wait to call and rush them along?

I have another question. What is the longest you have left your small infant without at least calling and checking in on them?

I dont want to be rude but Im not feeling well and I don't think it is wise for baby to be around me to long so she doesn't get sick. My 9yr old is helping a lot but she can't do everything...no matter how much she thinks she can.

Answer 1

I would have called her as soon as I started feeling ill.  If she was supposed to be there and isn't, then you should definitely call her.  I never left my infants for very long, never over night.  Call her up!  If she doesn't answer or doesn't come, I guess you call the police?

Answer 2

I'd call her now. People take advantage of those that watch their children WAY too much. Just call her and tell her you're not feeling well and you don't want her baby to catch anything so if she could come pick her up as soon as possible it'd be great.

Next time discuss the hours and the pay. Yes you two are friends but 10 bucks is lousy for two days.

Answer 3

I would call now. If you don't want to sound like you're being nasty, say you're just calling to check everything is ok, since you're a bit worried, or calling to double check as you can't remember what time you'd agreed.

In terms of leaving my kids, I started leaving them overnight with their grandparents from about 3 months old, I just couldn't part with them before that, and didn't like the idea of someone else having to get up in the middle of the night. I always call and check everything is ok though, or send a text message at least.

Answer 4

I'd call them.  

Honestly, even if she wasn't late I'd call her.  She's your friend and you're feeling sick.  You should be able to call her and tell her that.  

As for the longest I've left my baby... maybe 8 hours?

Answer 5

Well it sounds to me that your friend is not a very good mother. I mean she leaves her kid with someone for two days and doesnt call once to check in..thats bad parenting. Yeah if you have had that baby for that long as it is then you need to call her right now. Tell her that you are feeling sick and do not want to give it to her baby. plus hello she is already late and she is only paying you $10 for two days..sounds like sh eis taking advantage of you big time. I wouldnt babysit for her anymore unless it is a emergency.

Answer 6

Call her now and ask her when you can expect her back. Obviously she should've called you by now to give her reason for being late (and before for showing an interest in how her baby is doing)

Answer 7

If I were in your situation, I probably would have gone ahead and called either as soon as I started to feel ill or 2 hours before time for her to come. (unless she's at work or something and not supposed to take personal calls) I would have just said something like "having fun? ... I just wanted to check and see how things are going. I think your little baby misses you." or I would have told her that I'm not feeling well and she may want to pick the baby up early.

I didn't leave my daughter with anyone over night until she was over a year old. Even then it was only with my mom. ... Then I would call and check on her around bedtime, in the morning, and (if she wasn't back yet) halfway through the day.

My daughter is 6 now and when she does go spend a night or two away, I usually check and see how things are going a couple of hours before she is supposed to come home and at least once a day while she's gone. (plus she knows that she is allowed to call me any time she misses Mommy)

I hope everything is ok and that you feel better soon.

Answer 8

Now is good.  You are doing her a tremendous favor at what will surely be a loss for you because you have surely have had to pay something for the baby by now!  Her behavior is NOT NORMAL and I wonder if she is in some kind of trouble, or if she is a partier.

Responsible mothers don't pull this c**p.  As I learned as a babysitter and then Nanny, irresponsible mothers will leave their kids with people for far longer than they promised without apologizing.  When I was a Junior in High School I agreed to babysit in the middle of finals because someone was desperate.  The agreement was for two hours.  The couple didn't even show up until 6 a.m. the next day.  The kids were hysterical that Mommy and Daddy had left forever, it was quite a scene.  

Answer 9

I would have called if she was half an hour late and didn't call me!  She owes you that, at a minimum  She should be grateful to have a friend like you!!  You don't need the excuse of not feeling well to call her!  This is incredibly uncaring when it comes to the baby and thoughtless when it comes to you.   This "friend" is taking advantage of you, and I'd like to know why she isn't more concerned about her baby!

I never left my kids for more than a couple of hours without checking in when they were infants.

Answer 10

Something is very wrong here.  You haven't heard from her since she dropped the child off?  What kind of mother would not call?  Either she doesn't care or something happened.   Call her NOW or call a relative of hers.  If you don't hear from her tonight, call the police.

Answer 11

you should have called 24 hours ago to ask why they havent checked on their baby.

I would call them asap and even though they are friends they are taking advantage of you.

I feel sorry for the baby.  

Answer 12

whoa.. she hasn't even called to check in?

I would have called at 12:15!

I think now would be a good time to call. And if you don't get in touch with the mom, call another relative!

I don't have a baby yet, but I would definitely not be so nonchalant about leaving him with a babysitter for days without calling and checking in!