Parents Asks If They’re Wrong For Refusing To Pay Their Pricey Babysitter After She Didn’t Do Anything From Task List 2026

As a parent, it’s only natural to want the best for your children. That makes finding the ideal babysitter a really difficult thing to do. You will always notice things that are not quite up to your standards but what should one do when things are nothing like what was agreed upon? Well, this is a confusing question that has one Reddit user seeking help from an AITA forum on Reddit.

With OP and her husband’s planned outing to the cinema, she needed to arrange babysitting services for their two boys for a few hours. After searching a local Facebook group, she found a potential sitter who OP has dubbed B, and who agreed to a rate of $25 per hour per child. OP clearly defined their duties, including engaging the children, feeding them, ensuring they brush their teeth, and getting them settled in bed by a certain time. After returning home from their evening outing, OP discovered that her children were awake and playing way past their bedtime. Their faces and hands were a mess with food all over them, and the house was a total mess! Rather than watching the children, the sitter was busy glued to her phone. When questioned, B explained that the kids weren’t listening to her demands and requested payment.

The OP, deeply displeased with the babysitter’s performance, completely refused to compensate B for the night’s work. This led to a big fight, and B left without receiving the agreed-upon payment. In addition to this incident, the OP has also consulted with other parents in the Facebook group, who express concern about potential difficulty for OP to find reliable sitters in the future. Therefore, OP seeks opinions on whether they’re in the wrong in this situation. Here’s the whole story:

Source: u/Spirited_Refuse_9211

#1) Oh dear!

#2) OP and her husband wanted to go out on a date so they put an ad out for a babysitter.

#3) The babysitter requested to be paid 50$ per hour for both kids and OP gave her a list which she describes for us.

#4) OP continues the list and then tells that they drove off. When they came back, her sons were awake past their designated bedtime.

#5) OP was furious after seeing that, and the mess that the babysitter had left. When OP went to find B, she found her on her phone in a different room.

#6) The babysitter asked OP for money and OP refused. They both yelled at each other and then B walked away.

#7) OP mentions that her kids aren’t that well-behaved so she can understand if it was difficult. She talked to other moms and now is afraid nobody will take her sitting requests.

#8) OP edits the post and mentions that the babysitter had previously agreed to their terms but had not followed through. Though OP might message her to pay her later.

#9) OP explains why she picked the babysitter even though her price was very high.

#10) OP usually pays more to babysitters so they can give exceptional service.

As a parent, ensuring the safety and well-being of children is always top priority. When setting up arrangements, especially for a personal matter such as babysitting, clear expectations are established for a purpose. If a hired service fails to meet the aforementioned qualifications, refraining from paying them is a reasonable thing to do. Still, Reddit’s online community suggested the OP that she should have paid her some of the sum but not as much as was previously agreed upon because the babysitter also didn’t fulfill OP’s demands to the letter. Keep on reading to see what Reddit users said about the situation:

Source: u/Spirited_Refuse_9211

#11) That’s true, for THAT much money OP can get way better sitters.

Via _DontBeAScaredyC*nt

#12) The babysitter definitely didn’t follow through with her side of the deal and shouldn’t expect OP to follow through with hers.

Via Legitimate_Ocelot718

#13) This user has a point. When word travels, OP wont have any sitters.

Via penguin_squeak

#14) This is definitely what I think as well. Both of them were at fault.

Via Turbulent_Cow2355

#15) Agreed. ESH (Everyone Sucks Here) is the most appropriate rating you can give on this story.

Via Maleficent_Ad407

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