Dirty work

I am so mad right now! I teach at a private school and only get paid 10 months out of the year. I don't receive any checks over the summer, so I have to work. I lined up a babysitting job back in March. The plan was to watch this woman's three children in her home for six weeks for $300/wk (a steal, considering she'd be getting the services of a certified teacher).

I didn't have her sign a contract (I didn't think it would mean anything if it wasn't an official legal document, and I didn't feel like involving a lawyer). Big mistake!

I e-mailed her at the beginning of May to confirm everything. She e-mailed me back and said she was glad I contacted her and that everything was the same. Then I called her two weeks ago. She said everything was fine and that the kids were looking forward to it. Finally, I sent her an e-mail on Thursday asking her for any last-minute info I might need.

After not hearing anything for three days, she called me last night - the night before I was supposed to start - and told me her ex-husband is refusing to pay for my services and that she doesn't have the money. She said she is taking her kids to work with her today and giving her lawyer a call. She ended by saying she is sorry and she'll keep me posted.

Uh, right. Back in March, she told me her husband wasn't helping her at all and that she had to pay for this herself. Looks like he is the bad guy no matter what and she just uses him as her scapegoat. Sounds to me like she found some high schooler or college student to do the job for less money and is looking for an easy out. Either that or she is telling the truth. But why wait until the night before, when I have given her plenty of chances to back out? And if she is telling the truth, why would I want to watch her kids, knowing one week she may be like, "Sorry, I can't pay you."??!?!

I was depending on this money. We have a mortgage and bills to pay. I don't know what to do right now. I am going to try to get a waitressing position, but there goes my summer...I had lots of weekend plans, but I know those are a bust if I have to waitress or work in retail.

I lined up a job back in March to avoid having to do the kind of work I did back in college. Those jobs were great then, but I like my nights and weekends off. And I like working with kids. It is one of my greatest joys in life. I feel like an idiot for being so trusting. From now on I'm going to get it in writing.