Thursday, October 09, 2008

Irritation

I am in a grumbly mood today. Last night, Lu went to babysit for the single gentleman down the street (the widower with three little boys). He said he would need her from 4:00-10:00pm. Okay, I thought... 10:00 is a little late for a school night, but it should be ok.

At 10:40, after his not answering Lu's texts and calls, I went over to the house and sent her home to go to bed.

The gentleman shows up at... drumroll, please... 12:30am.

He was a bit surprised to see me in his house. I let him know that Lu cannot be out that late on a school night babysitting, and that she will not be able to sit for him again if he cannot be home at a decent hour.

He was apologetic, and vowed that it would never happen again.

What would you have done in this situation? And should I let her sit for this gentleman again on a school night?

5 comments:

Jen - Queen of Poo said...

That was extremely inconsiderate of him, especially ignoring her calls. What if there had been an emergency with one of his kids? I don't know that I'd let my daughter babysit for him again.

Unknown said...

As a father himself, I am really surprised at his behaviour.
Think I would be very hesitant at letting her babysit again, but then it may just have been a one off and he might genuinely be upset at his actions.

I think I would need to have a good talk with him and be clear in my own mind that it would never happen again.

GreenJello said...

Thanks for the feedback. I'm still chewing on this one.

Linda Wyatt said...

Did he give any explanation for why he was so late? Did something come up, or did he "forget" or did he just not come back on time? I would be very hesitant to have her sit for him on a school night again, without some better understanding and agreement about the time.

I'm also concerned about his not answering- as someone already commented, what if there had been some emergency?

♥ Boomer ♥ said...

Negative! She should not babysit on a school night for him again. And if he cannot answer his phone or respond to her text messages, perhaps NEVER again.

Any parent knows that a babysitter won't be calling just to chat. She obviously needed something. Chances are, he knew what she needed. She needed for him to come home as he had stated he would.