Am I Wrong for Getting My Neighbor and Client Banned by All the Local Babysitters?

A young babysitter stood up for herself against her employers after they backed out of their agreement. They attempted to ruin her reputation, but many people rallied around her.

A 17-year-old female Reddit user shared her story of accompanying her neighbors to the Caribbean as their nanny over the holidays. Despite initial reservations from her parents, they allowed her to go after Christmas.

The agreement was clear: a ten-day stay at an all-inclusive resort, with OP tasked with caring for the children for seven days and nights, in return for $500 and three days off. The rooms were adjoining, ensuring she was always close to the children.

To ensure clarity, OP's parents advised her to document the agreement. The contract specified working for two days followed by a day off, a cycle that would repeat throughout the trip.

OP had looked forward to her days off, planning activities like scuba diving. However, upon returning from her third day off, she found the parents angry about her unannounced departure despite the agreed terms. They complained that her absence had disrupted their plans with another couple.

OP reminded the couple that they had a deal concerning her days off and they told her that had met another couple and planned on going golfing with them but she ruined their plans. OP noted she had no idea why they decided to make plans on her day off.

The conflict escalated upon their return. OP explained, "They were upset all the way home." The parents publicly branded OP as irresponsible. In response to inquiries from other families, OP shared the written agreement, which led to a broader community's support for her.

The support included comments from other parents and babysitters, revealing the couple's attempt to alter the agreement. OP said one of the families stated they knew that she would not bail on the kids intentionally. As a result, many local babysitters have now refused to work for the family. Reflecting on the incident, OP expressed mixed feelings.

She acknowledged the couple's significant investment in her vacation but stood by her actions, noting that the disagreement stemmed from the couple's failure to respect their agreement. OP remarked, "They paid a lot for my vacation. And if they had asked I probably would have switched my excursion to the last day."

OP said that the couple told her she could have talked to them if she had a problem, but she emphasized that she was not the one who made the issue public.

Redditors commented on OP's predicament and many expressed their support for her. Someone wrote there was no need for the couple to make their "annoyance" public other than shaming her.

"Fortunately for you it backfired on them and now as a consequence of their SECOND mistake they have gotten themselves blacklisted by other sitters. Do not feel bad for them." said the user.

Another explained, "NTA. Seven days of babysitting costs more than $500. Those three days off were the rest of your payment." One said the couple made an arrangement and OP followed through, adding they then decided to publicise their dissatisfaction highlighting their lack of follow through with it.

"If other babysitters now don't want to babysit for this family, perhaps it's because they're also concerned that the family won't follow through on promises they make!" penned the Redditor.

Another stated, "[...] The fact that another family contacted you for your side of the story shows you have a good reputation." While one commented, "NTA. They tried to ruin your reputation by posting this. And it backfired. Not your problem. This is all on them."

Someone else commented, "NTA. Do not feel bad. It was their choice to bring you and you held up your end of the deal. They brought all of this upon themselves by lying about you publicly."

OP's situation prompts reflection on the dynamics between employers and employees, especially in less formal settings like babysitting. It highlights the importance of clear communication and honoring agreements to prevent misunderstandings.

Read more about a woman who shared that she found her nanny leaving her home on what should have been her day off. The nanny and the husband lied about why she was visiting on that day.