Before School Only

[Rainbow]

Keep us updated as to what happens because now I am curious as to whether or not she (DCM) kind of expected this to be free or close to free when she asked. kwim?

Isn't $10/week close to free? I guess it could be one of those situations where it depends on if you are the parent or the daycare provider?

[Rainbow]

I had to say no to a before care situation this year. I don't really do SA care to begin with but never before. My kids are in 5th and 6th grades so I don't even go to the bus stop with them. I knew it wouldn't take long for the situation to start being a hassle.

My kids can and have gone to the bus stop by themselves, but I enjoy being able to go with them and they still like me waiting with them. So, I don't expect it to be a huge inconvenience for me, since I am already going out there with my own kids most days. Well, except for in the dead of winter when I try to come up with some kind of excuse as to why I can't go with. :: But even then, I am usually still watching from my porch.

[Alwaysgreener]

Isn't $10/week close to free? I guess it could be one of those situations where it depends on if you are the parent or the daycare provider?

You have to consider your liability along with the what ifs. What if the child gets sick while waiting? What if the school bus is really late? What if school is canceled? What if your other neighbor wants the same favor? .......

[Blackcat31]

Isn't $10/week close to free? I guess it could be one of those situations where it depends on if you are the parent or the daycare provider?

a WEEK? Yes, that is about as close to free as you can get. I was thinking per DAY (and specifically just the mornings NOT the afternoons).

I would NOT do it for less than $10 a DAY.

That's my bare minimum for ANY care services.

...and even as a parent, $10 a day/morning to make sure my kid gets safely on the bus every day IS worth it.

[Scout]

I do this and no, I don't charge. Also after school, I sometimes have an old client for a few minutes until mom comes, I don't charge here either. If they were here for a few hours or a whole day, they pay. I like to know we are there to help each other. When ds broke his arm this summer, first thing I told my other one was to go get our neighbor.

[Play Care]

I do this and no, I don't charge. Also after school, I sometimes have an old client for a few minutes until mom comes, I don't charge here either. If they were here for a few hours or a whole day, they pay. I like to know we are there to help each other. When ds broke his arm this summer, first thing I told my other one was to go get our neighbor.

lovethis

I wish I could do this. I feel so bad because even though I'm home, I really can't be neighborly when it comes to kids/child care even if I want to Because that would be the time licensing shows up or the worry that I'd start being taking advantage of.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

Everytime I have tried to help out neighbors or friends, it ends up being far more help than originally planned and I get taken advantage of, so I don't do it. The line is drawn. During my working hours, my time is paid, whether you need 2 minutes or 2 hours each day. (An example: my son went to preschool and another mom who lived close to us, needed help with pick up. We picked him up amd she just needed 15 minutes to get to my house from her work. She got off work the same time school ended, so we were just filling that small gap of time. Fifteen minutes became 30 and before you know it, she is running errands after work and I have her kid while she shops. Nope! I started charging per hour and low and behold, it went back to 15 min.)

[Mike]

Everytime I have tried to help out neighbors or friends, it ends up being far more help than originally planned and I get taken advantage of, so I don't do it. The line is drawn. During my working hours, my time is paid, whether you need 2 minutes or 2 hours each day. (An example: my son went to preschool and another mom who lived close to us, needed help with pick up. We picked him up amd she just needed 15 minutes to get to my house from her work. She got off work the same time school ended, so we were just filling that small gap of time. Fifteen minutes became 30 and before you know it, she is running errands after work and I have her kid while she shops. Nope! I started charging per hour and low and behold, it went back to 15 min.)

That's why I would charge a small fee. I'd do it free if that was all I was doing, since I'd be standing there anyway, but I've seen firsthand how doing a small favor can grow. Just a small fee will limit that.

[Rainbow]

Keep us updated as to what happens because now I am curious as to whether or not she (DCM) kind of expected this to be free or close to free when she asked. kwim?

Sorry, I don't really have an update. She hasn't talked to me about it again. Neighbor kid is not always at the bus stop, so maybe she figured out a different solution.

I do appreciate everyone's different perspectives on this issue though.