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Baybreeze

Would you lower your price range for jobs for an 'acquaintance' or friend?

I am unsure as to whether to lower my price range for child care b/c the woman is a friend of my aunt's. I have been doing some part time help for her for her son, and as it is I already lowered what I normally would charge, b/c of her being a friend of my aunt (not mine)... now she had a baby, and I'm unsure whether to lower my range... most sitters will get more per hour for an infant, but not sure if I also take off a few dollars for her, or keep it to what I should charge normally?

Posted - April 19, 2017
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Responses


  • 6477
    Aww always tough when it's an aquaintance/friend.. you shouldn't really lower your rate... it can lead to bad feeling and resentment, with you feeling you are being taken advantage of....

    IN reality people often do drop their rate a little for friends/aquaintances... but you should still charge more if there is an extra child to take care of..  especially a tiny infant as more responsibility and more work 
      April 19, 2017 12:46 PM MDT
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  • 1138
    Thanks Daydreamer... I agree, b/c I am starting to feel a lil bad that I didn't charge initially what I normally would for one child, and now I'd def. charge a bit more with an infant too- but, I just don't know whether to drop the range by 2 bucks... my dad says no to not drop it, b/c she is not my personal friend, but I just want to be in good standings.. (although that is half my problem in life wondering if I'm doing ENOUGH for someone else, always, instead of me ...)
      April 19, 2017 12:49 PM MDT
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  • 6477
    You have a right to earn enough money to live on.. at the end of the day it's your job - so you do have to charge what is reasonable.. You sound like you are too kind for your own good. I can be like that, always volunteering for stuff and saying yes, when I should say no... Sometimes we have to learn to look after ourselves more 
      April 19, 2017 1:59 PM MDT
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  • 1268
    I used to be the absolute worst, or they thought I was the best, no matter who it was I'd do the job for free or at cost if I thought they needed the money when I already had a full time job. I rarely ever had anyone return the favor, if I needed help, they were not around. Such people prey on people like us and often replace us once we stop giving freebies.
      April 19, 2017 7:52 PM MDT
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  • 22891
    depends on how close i was to her and if she was nice to me i might
      April 19, 2017 12:51 PM MDT
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  • 1138
    Well we are not really close, she is someone my aunt has known for years. She is nice to me yes, but with two small kids (one baby , one toddler) , I know it will entail a lot of care... oh I do wish You luck with your search too Pearl - put up some flyers as well even for odd jobs- maybe a 2 day a week sitting job (for pets, or kids), or if you are one of those super organizers, they can get 40 bucks an HOUR!! (to organize someone's home or room for two hours a week)... keep us posted P
      April 19, 2017 12:55 PM MDT
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  • 2327
    Drop some subliminal messages/hints. 

      April 19, 2017 12:53 PM MDT
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  • 1138
    LOL !!! Thx for making me chuckle R
      April 19, 2017 12:56 PM MDT
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  • 1268
    lol...so subtle
      April 19, 2017 7:42 PM MDT
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  • 19937
    The person for whom you are babysitting is not a friend of yours, it's an acquaintance of your aunt.  Also, when it comes to watching two small children, it is not an easy job and I personally would not lower my rate.
      April 19, 2017 1:57 PM MDT
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  • 1138
    Ty so much Spunky, I appreciate that- its' hard for me to speak up and stand up for myself but I feel when you are dealing with a baby, I don't want to resent that I'm being underpaid... ty again
      April 19, 2017 7:18 PM MDT
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  • 19937
    If you don't stand up for yourself, no one else will.  You have to value your own services. 
      April 19, 2017 7:21 PM MDT
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  • 1138
    Thank you ... I have to memorize this, literally. (what you just said) Because often I feel, 'I should be grateful to have this, that etc.' It was intstilled in me for SO many years growing up I should be thankful to OTHERS and my own thoughts or wants should be last, or were 'wrong' (by a very abusive mother)... so , it still sticks with me, that I should lower my price , or am not being 'good' ....it even extends into dating, I often think I'm less b/c I don't have much confidence.. so decline dates :/ Ugh I wish I could just KNOW i'm worth as much as anyone and I don't have to keep being so kind EVERY moment.. ty again so much
      April 19, 2017 7:25 PM MDT
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  • 19937
    I understand why you think that way, but when you sit down and really think about it, you will realize that you are a person of value.  That you have something to give to others doesn't mean you must deny yourself - there is room to be good to others as well as to be good to yourself.  If it was someone you knew personally, I might counsel you to give them a break, but that is not the case and you should think of it purely as a business decision.  For the most part, she's a complete stranger.
      April 20, 2017 8:04 AM MDT
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  • 1268
    Not an easy job for sure. Being a parent is probably one of the most difficult jobs in the world but watching another's children really is a chore.
      April 19, 2017 7:41 PM MDT
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  • 19937
    I would have to agree with you although I don't have children of my own.  I have lots of nieces and nephews and would have them for overnights when they were little or if their parents had somewhere to go.  It was a lot of fun, but it was a lot of work, too and I only had them for 24 hours.  Anyone who thinks parenting is not a full-time job needs a reality check. 
      April 20, 2017 7:59 AM MDT
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  • 6124
    Baybreeze, this woman may be a friend of your Aunt's but she is not a close personal friend of yours.  You need to put your business hat on here.  Childcare is your line of business.  This is how you earn an income.  Do you think other people reduce their rates for someone they aren't close with?  They don't reduce rates for acquaintances.  This woman wasn't even an acquaintance of yours.  You don't owe her any favors.  I can guarantee she knows she is getting a break on the price from you.  Please don't allow her to take advantage of the situation.  Your father is right.  You need to charge her the same amount you would charge any one else.  
      April 19, 2017 2:00 PM MDT
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  • 1138
    Thanks Harry, I appreciate your words always... it is hard for me to stick with 'this is what my rate is' with her b/c I feel I'll look like I'm only out for 'me', yet exactly : she or anyone else would not be going down on their rate. I feel what will they think of me (her mom , who is good friends with my aunt) and am I being fair etc... Yet I feel it was unfair for me in a way to accept lower than I normally get...but I did it b/c at the time they couldn't afford more. Now they can, but I still am so shy standing for 'me'. :/ I will really try to find my confidence in this.. see, it isn't only w/dating, I get shy and willing to please anyone over what 'I' need ....Thanks H again *hugg
      April 19, 2017 7:17 PM MDT
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  • 11201
    If you don't value your services neither will anyone else. Stick to your normal rates.
      April 19, 2017 5:47 PM MDT
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  • 1268
    I still think she should pay more because of being an acquaintance. :)
      April 19, 2017 7:39 PM MDT
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  • 1268
    I have before but not again.

    If they consider me a friend, they should at least pay me normal rate.

    It is easy to let people talk one into this sort of thing when we are operating our own business but it just causes conflict because once you cut them a deal, if they aren't a real friend, and deserving of the first deal you gave them in the first place, they'll ask again and again.

     They always want to tell you how hard things are and "Times are tough"... We all deal with this world and trying to make a life.
    Unless the person is a single mother struggling to get by and can barely feed her children, no I would not cut her a deal. I do make exceptions for people but when I found myself struggling just to put food on the table, while these people that "have no money" were living in a house well over half-million dollars (Which is a lot for a house here) and buying new cars, yet they could not even pay me for a service call, I had to reevaluate things.

     Do work for free or full price is what I'd suggest. If she doesn't care to pay you a reasonable wage, she has other options. I didn't get my degree in Advanced Azzhology overnight, it took years of being everyone else's servant before realizing I must look after me, because no one else is as interested in me as I am, and rightfully so.

     There are times for charity and there are people who need charity, that comes after we get paid, it isn't deducted automatically from our earnings.
      April 19, 2017 7:37 PM MDT
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  • 34578
    I would charge the normal rate. 
      April 19, 2017 7:38 PM MDT
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  • 17628
    A friend of your aunt's?  NO!!
      April 20, 2017 12:28 PM MDT
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