Looking after somebody else’s kids can be a minefield.

While being a babysitter is undeniably an easier thing to do than being a parent, it can involve a lot of work in terms of catering to the beliefs, wishes, and whims of those who are employing you. Some parents have a tendency to be unreliable, cancelling at the last minute or staying out far longer than they promised; others have a strict list of rules for you and their kids that they will punish you for deviating from. 

Essentially, it encompasses all the downsides of any customer service job, along with the challenges that come with caring for children. Some would argue that the adults are more difficult to deal with than the kids, simply because of the expectations that they have. 

When paying somebody for childcare, it is important to communicate clearly about what you want. Otherwise, it is more than likely that some misunderstandings will occur. While a few of these may only be small transgressions that are not going to do any harm, others may be more serious. For any conscientious babysitter, upsetting children or their parents is the last thing they would ever want to do.