[NCRG2010]

there is a girl (sammantha) across the street that babysits for me once in a while. her sister goes to my sons school. sammantha watches her two sisters (emily and kimberly) after school and sometimes during the day not as a job just because she is home and not working. now my question is when i ask her to babysit i dont really want her to bring the kids with her to my house. for several reasons, one i think it becomes too many kids to watch, two im not paying her to watch her sisters that should be her mothers responsibility and three they leave an ***** mess every single time they come over. how do i nicely say i dont want her to bring them? she needs the money which is why i ask her to sit i could easily take the kids but it makes it easier for me plus she gets paid. its never last minute, which i would understand, if she didnt have time to make other plans for her sisters. i like that she is right across the street but i dont think an 18 year old should be watching 5 kids alone. all under 7. am i being unreasonable?

[amber1]

i dont think it is unreasonable. i am the type to just say what I need to say so Im not much help. Good luck

[MamaAnna]

It's not unreasonable, but it's more for you to make other arrangements. If she typically watches her siblings after school it's up to her parents to find an alternative so she can earn some babysitting money. Odds are she's in a position where she either says yes and has to bring them or has to say no and stay home. If her parents don't want to find an alternative or don't want an alternative watching their other children on a regular basis that's their choice.

[forest]

I think that is too many kids, plus you are paying her to watch YOUR kids. Your just going to have to come right out and say it next time you ask her to babysit.

[srprisebean3]

Originally Posted by MamaAnna

It's not unreasonable, but it's more for you to make other arrangements. If she typically watches her siblings after school it's up to her parents to find an alternative so she can earn some babysitting money. Odds are she's in a position where she either says yes and has to bring them or has to say no and stay home. If her parents don't want to find an alternative or don't want an alternative watching their other children on a regular basis that's their choice.

I agree, its probably out of her control, her parents are the ones that are going to have to find alternative baby sitting for their kids, and they may not be willing to pay anyone. You should still say something if you are uncomfortable with it, but it may cost you a babysitter.

[ZZ0607]

Yea I agree with MamaAnna and srprisebean3 that it might be out of her control. Maybe bring it up by asking her if her parents require her to watch her sisters after school. I do think 5 under 7 might be a bit much for most teenagers, but it really depends on the 18 year old.

As for the money thing, I guess you have to decide if you want to pay her to watch ONLY your kids. Because unless you are paying her extra when she brings her sisters, you're not paying her to watch her sisters in the first place. You're paying her to watch your kids and the sisters simply divide her attention more. So you have to decide if you're paying for her presence or her undivided attention.

The mess thing, though, is unacceptable, a) because it's rude as a guest and b) because part of keeping kids in line is getting them to clean up when they're done playing. Say.. 10 minutes before Mom gets home.

[Sarah_S]

It isn't unreasonable, but I too used to take my little sister babysitting with me a lot. But she was only one kid, and I ALWAYS cleaned the mess any of the kids made.

I would just let her know, be honest that next time she comes over would she mind not bringing the siblings.

[NCRG2010]

yeah i guess next time i will just ask if she is sibling free. i try not to get her from 3 - 6 for that reason but she sometimes has her little sister during the day

[TeresaSuperMama]

Originally Posted by srprisebean3

I agree, its probably out of her control, her parents are the ones that are going to have to find alternative baby sitting for their kids, and they may not be willing to pay anyone. You should still say something if you are uncomfortable with it, but it may cost you a babysitter.

I totally agree. Maybe you can find another babysitter. That might be the easiest solution.