Mom slapped with babysitters jaw-dropping fee after cancelling on her six hours prior

A mom who was slapped with a $120 fee after cancelling her babysitter has turned to other parents for advice, triggering an intense discussion.The woman said she texted the babysitter six hours before she was due to arrive to let her know the family’s plans had changed “unexpectedly.”Despite the sitter responding that it was “no problem,” the mom was shocked to receive a $120 invoice the next morning.“I asked why.She said ‘I kept that evening available for you and turned down another family’,” the parent said on Instagram.Although the mom “understood her point”, she said the pair had never discussed a cancellation fee and offered $60 for the inconvenience.“She refused and said I had booked six hours of her time, whether I used them or not.

Now I’m wondering if she’s right,” the mom continued.She asked others what they would do in her situation – cough up the cash or outright refuse?Despite hundreds of people weighing in, no clear solution has emerged as parents remain divided over the issue.Numerous social media users took the side of the sitter and urged the mom to pay up; however, others said the $60 offer was more than generous.“If the cancellation policy wasn’t discussed, absolutely not,” one woman said.“Regardless of any policy, unless it was due to a medical emergency where someone was hospitalized, you have to pay someone when you book their time and cancel on them.Period.

End of sentence,” another said.Kate Heussler, a Sydney mom and etiquette expert, told news.com.au she “can absolutely see the babysitter’s point.”“When you book someone for six hours, you’re not only paying for the hours they physically spend in your home – you’re asking them to reserve that part of their life for you,” she said, noting that in this case, the sitter turned down another family, which resulted in a genuine loss of income.“Six hours’ notice might sound reasonable on paper, but it’s not necessarily enough time to...