DEAR HARRIETTE: I baby-sit almost every weekend, and a lot during the week. My "regulars" -- the families I see every week -- have started giving my number out to other families. In addition to that, a lot of my father’s friends ask him if I am available to watch their kids.
One night, I was watching my dad’s friends’ children. There were two boys, ages 6 and 8. The boys were extremely misbehaved, and it was one of the worst baby-sitting experiences I’ve ever had. When the parents came home, they asked me how their children were, and I said they were fine, like I was on autopilot. My question is, do you tell the parents of the kids you are baby-sitting that the boys were bad? Do you think this will lessen my chances of being asked back? Also, does it matter that these are my father’s friends? -- ”The Kids Were Fine” Baby Sitter, Stamford, Connecticut
DEAR “THE KIDS WERE FINE” BABY SITTER: It is important for you to give these parents honest feedback about their children’s behavior. It could be that the boys were testing you, which the parents should know. It could be that this is normal -- which you should know so that you don’t go back to them. Call the parents and tell them that you have some information you feel you should share about your time with their children. Then stick to the facts. Do not get emotional. Be descriptive so they know what happened. Do not involve your father. This is your job.
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)