My sitter turned on the ac and left the windows open- vent!

[rockyroad]

Never in a million years would I think of adjusting someone else's thermostat! I don't even touch my parent's when I'm there for the weekend (which is every weekend). Who are these people, and what makes them think that it's ok?!- Especially when THEY aren't paying the bill! Seriously?!

Well, if it's someone's mom, who probably drove over to the daughter's house to stay with the kids out of love, and if grandma feels too hot, then she should be able to be comfortable.

I have come to understand and respect the power of the hot flash...

Personally I can't imagine going out for the day, knowing that the temp would be 95 and leaving my kids in a house with the air off.

What if the sitter left the air off when it was that hot?

I have big kids.
Twenty somethings.
One left at home now.
They sometimes did weird things with the house.
We have two central air/heat systems in the house.
One day I discovered that one was set on heat and the other on cool.
It wasn't intentional.

And we did have an empty house on the market in high summer in Memphis.
A real estate agent left the air on and it was a week before we went by and discovered it.

Have you ever wondered what your utility bill would be if nothing at all was turned on?
In that house, with one light bulb burning, hot water heater off, no gas used, no water used, it was around $80.00.

 

[yeahdisney]

MY TURN
Yesterday I knew I would be home after 6PM and the kids would be staving, SIL babysits in the summer, age over 40. Doesn't plan meal time WELL. So instructions are given . I asked her to bring hamburgers for the kids for supper and give them their normal lunch. So the oven would not be on, which I DID NOT TELL HER. It is to be 95 to 100 here this week. So she lets me know the kids wanted the hamburgers for lunch, AND THEY ATE EVERY BITE, and then I assumed since the oven was hot and the empty pizza rack was on top of the oven, Pizza for supper. Well yeah YOU have to tell the kids NO. Also DD got burnt the first week she watched them, I did not tell her no pool 12 to 1, she burnt her a couple of years ago, I guess I thought she would remember. And they left the puppy out in the shade under a tree cause he was bothering the kids. PLEASE LEAVE HIM IN THE COOL GARGAGE. And yes the puppy was sick the next day. I know it can all be a fluke, but at time it kills me. And the oven thing-she one time passes me on the road with my kids in her car, (going to the cemetary) I get home and I here a ding, Huh what's that? I then see the oven is on, well it's almost 6, so I put the pizza in, that is what she was to feed them at 5PM, I cook and turn off the oven 15 minutes later she returns. HELLO FIRST YOU LEFT THE HOUSE WITH THE OVEN ON UNATTENDED AND UNLOCKED. And the gas used for the oven, what if I wouldn't have realized it of course it is all swept under my very dirty rug (from what has been swept under there). The lunch, the burn and the dog all in 4 days bbsitting.

 

[julm26]

My mom lived with us and she used to turn the AC on and leave the windows open, it would drive me crazy... THEN, she passed away in February 2008, I'd give anything for those windows open and AC turned on now, if having to pay some extra on your electricity is the ONLY thing you have to worry about this year, consider what my year has been like, you are so lucky....trade ya...

 

[famofsix]

it was annoying that she left the window open but it was a mistake. She was probably doing things with the kids and it was an oversight.

 

[patsal]

Did you tell her what temperature to set them to? Did you tell her not to adjust your bedroom heater? Seeing as you asked her to go into EVERY room, you didn't ask her to exclude yours. Seems like you weren't very clear and that you expected her to read your mind.

I would have confronted her on that one. How do you know it was her? Did you open that lipstick just prior to her being there and then reopen it as soon as you left? Maybe it was your housekeeper or one of the other babysitters.

No I may not have written that correctly, I did not ask her to touch any thermostat at all. It was February and I left my heat constant-at that time I was a STAHM (sold tupperware during the nights that was when I'd see her Mom when picking up the t-ware, at Rally's etc. )so it was set for our comfort all day. She took it upon herself to go into each room of the house and reset the temps up that high. I had no other babysitters and I had just opened and used the lipstick prior to her being there. Oh how I wish I could have had anyone else to blame it on but her!

 

[In a hurry]

Well, if it's someone's mom, who probably drove over to the daughter's house to stay with the kids out of love, and if grandma feels too hot, then she should be able to be comfortable.

I have come to understand and respect the power of the hot flash...

Personally I can't imagine going out for the day, knowing that the temp would be 95 and leaving my kids in a house with the air off.

What if the sitter left the air off when it was that hot?

Amen, sister!

I'm with you. My babysitters have an obligation to keep the house comfortable for them and my kids. Were someone to leave a window open, i'd be bummed, but our electric cost per day would change only by a few cents.

A good babysitter is worth their weight in gold!

 

[rentayenta]

Thanks to those of you who understand my frustration and for sharing your sitter stories. It's nice to not be the only one.

Guess what? The ac is on and all the wimdows are closed. Guess how I know? My sitter called to tell me.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

My mom lived with us and she used to turn the AC on and leave the windows open, it would drive me crazy... THEN, she passed away in February 2008, I'd give anything for those windows open and AC turned on now, if having to pay some extra on your electricity is the ONLY thing you have to worry about this year, consider what my year has been like, you are so lucky....trade ya...

So sorry for your loss.

 

[MaryKLady]

That's it, you have no choice...you have to fire her!...kidding

I'd be a little miffed too. I am cleaning my house right now with no AC. I refuse to turn it on. I just pre-purchased my oil for the winter. I don't want the $400 electric bill on top of it.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Zucchani Chuckwagon says you need to withhold money from her salary.

like babysitters are raking in the bucks.. It sounds like from your last post op she will be more careful in the future.

 

[bdcp]

This can be more than a higher electric bill. Leaving windows open while running the a/c can burn out the compressor. The unit has to work that much harder to cool the house and it can never quite get there so it doesn't shut off. I do think an adult should know better.

 

[it's kelly]

Julm, Very sorry to hear of your loss. I too, lost my mother this past February.

RIP Mom
9/1/44 - 2/19/08

RIP Dad
3/21/43 - 3/19/90

*Forever Free*

 

[DebMcDonald]

My children did it in their own bedroom today......

 

[Tissa]

It sounds like she will be more careful next time. I hope!

Funny around here we never have the windows open in the summer, we'd all die of heat stroke.

 

[rentayenta]

That's it, you have no choice...you have to fire her!...kidding

I'd be a little miffed too. I am cleaning my house right now with no AC. I refuse to turn it on. I just pre-purchased my oil for the winter. I don't want the $400 electric bill on top of it.

Your post about firing her made me laugh.

Zucchani Chuckwagon says you need to withhold money from her salary.

Not my style but I appreciate the input.

like babysitters are raking in the bucks.. It sounds like from your last post op she will be more careful in the future.

I think she will be more careful. I hope so anyway. Other than the ac, she's a good sitter. It's a pleasant situation for all involved. I have to work full time for 2 years to be fully licensed and this allows her to not technically work outside the home and have to put her 1 y/o in daycare. She brings the baby to my house. We are like one big polygamist family. I think she was trying to make it up to me. She had the kids put the laundry away and my bed was made when I got home.

 

[rentayenta]

It sounds like she will be more careful next time. I hope!

Funny around here we never have the windows open in the summer, we'd all die of heat stroke.

I open them every night. I actually like the heat so when DH is gone, he's a , I open them at night.

 

[monsterkitty]

My parents feel your pain, OP.

I used to hold frozen veggies up to the thermostat to make the heater kick on. I was always cold and I finally figured out a way to get the heater on without changing the thermostat.

 

[mombare]

This is hilarious - the exact same day you posted your vent, we came home to the AC on and windows open and my husband about went through the roof!
We have my 16 year old babysitter taking care of our children for the summer. We had a bad experience with our former in-home daycare, so this was a welcome change. Well....things are not going as well as we would like - the house is a mess when we get home every day. BUT...I keep reminding myself that the kids have a lot of fun for her. That is the most important thing (although all the cleaning after working all day is getting a little old). Oh, well...we only have 6 more weeks until school starts!!

 

[AliciaS]

Hmmm.....It's the year for losing Moms, I guess. My mom was pretty much the only who ever babysat our kids (who were age 3.5 and 5 months when she died suddenly this January). She came over once a week for 4 or 5 hours and occasionally a second time if I really, really needed it. I have barely had a break since January 27th while dealing with a toddler, a baby, staggering grief, and estate "stuff". My husband and I have been out once in the last six months. I'm having a hard time even thinking about getting anyone to watch by sweet babies. Who else could look at them with such love, but Nana?

My mom left the top of the wipes warmer open every.single.time, drying out the top wipe or two. Dear God what I wouldn't give to hear her over the monitor, changing a poopy diaper!

 

[Tink-aholic]

Hmmm.....It's the year for losing Moms, I guess. My mom was pretty much the only who ever babysat our kids (who were age 3.5 and 5 months when she died suddenly this January). She came over once a week for 4 or 5 hours and occasionally a second time if I really, really needed it. I have barely had a break since January 27th while dealing with a toddler, a baby, staggering grief, and estate "stuff". My husband and I have been out once in the last six months. I'm having a hard time even thinking about getting anyone to watch by sweet babies. Who else could look at them with such love, but Nana?

My mom left the top of the wipes warmer open every.single.time, drying out the top wipe or two. Dear God what I wouldn't give to hear her over the monitor, changing a poopy diaper!

So sorry for your loss. It will get better. Honest.