babysitter flaked: have her snuffed out?

[nostatic]

This was a new one. I've had babysitters flake out at the last minute, some calling, some not even showing up but tonight was a pisser and I'm not sure how much energy I want to expend on it.

Placed and ad on craigslist saying I needed someone for tonight at 5:30pm. This actually was a rather important work-related dinner party that I was supposed to attend. Got a couple of reponses, called one, everything fine on the phone, checked out her reference. Everything is cool

So I'm running a little late...I've vacuumed the entire apartment, and am finishing cleaning the bathroom and kitchen when she shows up (on time...horray). I introduce her to Calvin, and excuse myself to finishing cleaning up. When she walked in the apartment, I could see a funny look in her eye though. Being a separated dad, my living room consists of a futon couch which was folded out (Calvin's bed), a fairly nice mission style chair, tv (on an honest to goodness tv-table), and my music setup in the other half of the room. Spartan, but not disgusting (I've had other babysitters and people here without incident).

So I come out from finishing cleaning the bathroom and I don't see the babysitter. I ask Calvin and he says, "she said she had to go to her car to get a book." I figure, "OK...last babysitter was a student who brought her stuff with her all the time." So I wait. And wait. Yup...she bailed.

So I called her cell phone which of course she wasn't answering and left a message that wasn't real angry but made it clear that I didn't really understand what was up. I've got her email address and have written but not sent the "incredibly unprofessional" email. I also have her work number (muhahahaha).

Not sure what do to. I had to call and rsvp regrets for the dinner as I can't get anyone on this late notice and my ex isn't around. I mostly wanted to vent. I'm pissed, and also feel kinda crappy. I used to have an incredibly nice house, and I know that now I'm in the lousy apartment. But it isn't *that* bad...and its just a frickin' phase.

b*tch...

[red-beard]

Sucks....

I got the house, but it was stripped of virtually everything. She even took the washer and dryer, and she "stored" them in her parents basement, unused. I ended up buying a washer and dryer for $40 (total) and then fixed them for around $35, not to mention the removal of the rat nest under the dryer...

Washer was still working in one of my apartments, when I sold the building...

I used donated furniture. I had this futon. I could not say "Futon" without saying "I hate that thing!". It took me about 2 years, but I ended up getting some very nice furniture. Then a year later, bought really nice furniture (Alimony ended...).

The baby sitter thing sucks a$$. I baby sat for my sister a couple of times, short notice, when the sitter didn't show.

James

[WOODPIE]

Well, that's a bit of bad luck for ya, but don't waste any time trying to get an explanation.

And I'm sure your place is, what's the word I'm looking for? Charming! Yeah, that's it!

Ed

I know you've hit a rough patch lately, but if I could tell you about my stepson's life here lately, you'd not feel too bad. Just think of the worst "tears in your beer" country-western song ever written....

[notfarnow]

That is one of the rudest things I could imagine....


Well, here's a silver lining:

Aren't you gald you didn't leave your son in the hands of such a FLAKE?

[nostatic]

I'll let you guys judge. And the stuff on the counter of the kitchen wasn't there earlier (just took these after emptying out the boy's lunch bag). I know it ain't the taj mahal...but I am eating indian food right now...

[nostatic]

Originally posted by notfarnow


Well, here's a silver lining:

Aren't you gald you didn't leave your son in the hands of such a FLAKE?

True. There's an upside to everything I suppose...

[notfarnow]

Actually, now that I think of it I remember visiting my dad after my parents split, and a babysitter didn't show one weekend. I just remeber being so excited when dad said we'd be hanging out instead of him going out. Went for ice cream and rented a movie. Amazing how memories like that stick.

So yeah, maybe you can flip the situation upside down and have some QT with Calvin. You're probably his freakin hero, ya know.

[nostatic]

and mind you she was going to get $60 plus tip and pizza dinner for sitting and watching DirecTV for 5 hours.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by notfarnow
So yeah, maybe you can flip the situation upside down and have some QT with Calvin. You're probably his freakin hero, ya know.

Already on that. Tuesday is a jazz jam night at a restaurant in Pasadena with a drummer and piano player I know. We're going to head up there now, get some food, and he'll watch me sit in and play a few tunes. He's been there before on father's day when I had a gig and mom brought him to watch me play...that was the first time he'd seen me actually playing out and he was pretty excited. Should be fun...and we'll take the 911 since I don't have anything else to drive

[Drago]

Yes, but was she cute and more importantly, does she *******?

[notfarnow]

Cool stuff... betcha he'll always remeber the night the babysitter flaked out.

[Icemaster]

Sorry, not seeing anything wrong with the setup. Maybe if you had a trapeze and restraints hanging from the ceiling...

Notfarnow's right. Better she bail than Calvin spend time with her.

[nostatic]

and how could she resist this...say hello to my little friend:

[lendaddy]

Well........was she hot?

[speeder]

That sucks, but a couple of questions: (BTW, the generally apartment looks fine): How old is your son? How old was the babysitter? Next time, maybe fold the bed into a couch first. It might have made her a little uncomfortable that the central piece of furniture was a bed in the middle of the room in front of the TV. OK, I'd say that something or some combination of things made her very uncomfortable, however unreasonable it might seem.

Young girls and women can get creeped-out pretty easily sometimes, (unreasonably so in this case, but still), and something told her to listen to her instinct and run away fast. Babysitting for total strangers is scary for young chicks, they are always thinking rape/pillage/etc...

Lose the bed as (almost) only furniture and you will have better luck next time. It looks like an awkward situation to me, and I'm a dude.

[KevinP73]

The place looks fine. I'm sure the little tramp has woke up in worse. Are you sure it wasn't Calvins t-shirt?
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I've never looked up to a baby sitter more than when she was on her knees.

[nostatic]

Denis, good point about the couch/futon. She was 29 and definitely not hot, although I think she thought she was. My son is 8. I showed no interest whatsoever (neither did he, he was busy playing Runescape). Maybe *that* was the problem...

[Moses]

Originally posted by nostatic
I'll let you guys judge.

Your place is clean. I've lived in smaller, and if I were living alone in your apartment it would be decidedly dirtier.

Even if your living conditions were permanent, there's nothing wrong with it. Only the aristocracy get child care?

My guess is she was looking for a big-screen to watch reality TV reruns. Seriously.

[gassy]

After my separation, getting a babysitter was the toughest thing. Finally, a co-worker (who knew my kids cuz I bring them to work a lot) said she would love to babysit...Any co-workers you could ask?

My last babysitter--not my co-worker--was an hour and a half late. Kinda blew my plans.

Enough about me, let's talk about you...don't try to contact her. I know you need some type of resolution, but contacting her, to me, isn't the way to go...

It IS just a phase--keep reminding yourself of that. I left with my clothes and a 19" tv. I gave her the house. That's how bad I wanted out. It will get better, and you know that! Hang in there. You're not alone.

F that babysitter--and if you can, F the next babysitter.


Just kidding.
Christian.

[pwd72s]

I'm very grateful to be able to say that I haven't "been there, done that". You have my sympathy...for what little that is worth.