WIBTA for saying either I do what I’m paid for or I walk out?
In a cluttered living room, a young babysitter juggles breakfast for three kids while their mother snoozes upstairs. At 25, she’s used to long hours for meager pay, but today’s demand feels like a slap: deep clean the entire house for an inspection, all while wrangling kids, with no extra dime. The audacity sparks a fire in her—should she draw a line or walk out? This tale of overreach and underpayment pulls us into a world where boundaries blur.
The single mom’s request, delivered from under a blanket, leaves the babysitter reeling. Already stretched thin at $650 a month, she faces a choice: swallow the exploitation or stand up for her worth. Readers feel the sting of her dilemma—stick to babysitting or scrub floors for pennies? It’s a story of resilience and the fight for fair treatment.
‘WIBTA for saying either I do what I’m paid for or I walk out?’
The OP’s dropped an update on the saga—curious? Click here to check it out!
Being asked to deep clean a house while babysitting is like being told to cook a gourmet meal during a math test—utterly unreasonable. The OP’s situation, where her employer expects her to tackle a two-day cleaning job for no extra pay while minding three kids, screams exploitation. The mother’s retreat to bed adds a layer of entitlement, leaving OP to question her role. She’s a nanny, not a maid, yet the lines are blurred by her low $650 monthly wage—roughly $4/hour, far below U.S. minimum wage.
This reflects a broader issue: childcare workers are often undervalued. A 2023 report from the Economic Policy Institute notes that childcare workers earn a median of $13.22/hour, yet many, like OP, face wages below legal standards, especially in private arrangements. The OP’s light cleaning was a kindness, not a contract clause, making the mother’s demand a clear overstep.
Labor expert Dr. Arne Kalleberg, author of Precarious Work, states, “Low-wage workers are frequently pressured into tasks beyond their job scope, especially in informal roles like nannying. Setting boundaries is critical to prevent exploitation” (Economic Policy Institute). Kalleberg’s insight validates OP’s instinct to refuse. Her decision to quit, shared in the update, shows courage, prioritizing her mental and physical health over an untenable job.
For solutions, OP should formalize her resignation in writing, citing the unreasonable demands and low pay, and seek jobs with clear contracts—nannying agencies or platforms like Care.com can offer better rates. She could also consult a labor attorney to explore wage theft claims, as her pay violates U.S. federal minimum wage laws.
Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:
Reddit’s reactions are as fiery as a barbecue gone wrong. Here’s what the community had to say:
![[Reddit User] − NTA, and I’d flat-out tell her no… but expect her to at least threaten to fire you. She clearly sees you as being at her beck and call for the pittance she pays you.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/208699c-08.png)
These comments call out the employer’s audacity, but do they miss the bigger picture of labor rights? One thing’s certain: OP’s story struck a nerve.
The OP’s saga shows how quickly a job can turn from manageable to maddening when boundaries are ignored. She chose her worth over exploitation, a move that sparks cheers and reflection. Should she have confronted the mother head-on, or was slipping out the smarter play? What would you do when faced with unfair demands at work? Share your stories—have you ever had to stand up to a boss who pushed too far?
The author has updated the information for this article below:
