Pay your babysitter!

# Dear all, this is an optimist text, even though it doesn't sound like one. #

Babysitting, It's not the most special job. Nop. We're not doing this because of our unconditional love for children, and the chance we're going to love your kids as much as you, is close to zero. This is a job, a tiring one and you know that, because you go to your toilet and sit down for long minutes without needing to, just to have a tiny break. And guess what? It's really tiring for us too. And why do we do that? Well, it's still a job and it pays our bills.

I wrote it before saying I got in the Netherlands to be an Au Pair two years ago, long short story, I moved in with my boyfriend months later and decided to keep working as nanny and babysitter.

It happened that I found an amazing familly willing to pay me what I asked for and with them I worked for eight months. In the Netherlands is common to put your child in a daycare after its first year, so it can meet other kids and start its social life. The baby I took care this eight months is now going to the daycare and I have to look for another job.

Here I am, looking for new parents who need a babysitter or nanny, again. I could look for other job positions, but since I have other plans, responsabilities and also need to study Dutch, would be great to work just a couple of days a week.

The year just started, but I managed to meet two families and exchange emails with other four. The process of meeting them is quite simple, they want to know more about you: where you're from, your age, experience, what kind of activity you do with the kids, what kind of house work you're willing to do, what can you teach their kids, if you can cook and what do you cook. Yes, they want all of these: a teacher, nanny, cleaner and cook.

I was a teacher in Brazil for a year and had many young students, I also was Au Pair, I can clean very well (since I am brazilian and we are freaking obsessed with cleaning), and I cook alright. Doing a little bit of all of these can be just fine, the problem starts when they want it to be done in three hours and for 5 Euros hour.

By 5 do you mean 50? 

I notice quite often at me a look of "I know where you're from and I suppose you are miserable, so I will offer just 5 euros". But I'm not only educated, as I am a Leo with my Moon on Gemini: I sense all the bullshit. So while the parent is complaining about my small 10 Euros hour rate, in my mind I am "so, you're going out for dinner with your husband and will spend around 80 Euros in a restaurant, have your nails done at a manicure, a new Audi in your garage, but 30 Euros is way too much for a babysitter?". The big problem after everything I hear, is that they make this disapointed face that make me feel so bad, and I'm such a chicken, I always end up giving a discount. Besides discounts, paying my travelling cost is always a big deal. It's only 5 Euros, people!

To live in the Netherlands and make a decent money, I'd have to work as babysitter at least 25 hours a week, and guess what? I rarely ever do that. Of course, I have helped friends for less, but this happens to be more symbolic than a work and it doesn't affect me at all, I've done worse for friends and for free! :P 

But some people think it's all fine to call me, make me leave my house, go to their place by bus/metro, stay there for only three hours, play, smile, clean the kitchen, orgonize their living room full of toys, get up and leave with 15 euros. Would you do that for someone you don't know? NO, you would never. Have some decence, someone is at your house watching the people you posibly love the most. Does it all worth 15 euros?

I heard another day someone saying if I wanted to earn more, I should study and have a diploma in something. First, I do have a diploma, but what makes me work as nanny does change the facts? I know it sounds bitter, not all parents are like that, many understand you, but the number of the complaining parents still big. I do deserve a lot more than I ask, but I'm still asking as much as my friends.

So this year, as I really want to start my business, need a surgery, and lots of money, I'll try my best to be strict and straight to the parents, because some of them have learnt from their kids how to whine and be spoiled and I'm tired of that. I will try to be strong, explain my reasons, be true to my values and say no when I think I must.

If you are a parent and underpay these people who get to your place to help you now and then, read again and try to think as me, put yourself in the other position. Why tipping a restaurant is très chic and why paying your babysitter travelling cost is so abusive? If you are already helping who helps you, by simply paying their rates and respecting them, I speak on behalf of our my collegues and I: thank you! 

Thanks for reading,

B.