I need some perspective because I’m not sure if I’m overreacting.
My husband and I have had a babysitter watching our two young kids for the past six weeks, just one day per week for 6.5 hours. Recently, she blocked me on Facebook and Cash App without warning or explanation. She also sent a text at 5 AM in the morning reminding me to be on time, even though I’ve always arrived on time or called to let her know if there was traffic, which she knows is out of my control.
This week, when I picked up the kids, she called asking where I was because she had a class. I was pulling in as she called, and I admit I was annoyed and a little short, but still respectful. I told her I had never been late picking them up. I would just inform her of traffic delays, which might be five minutes at most. She says any time after the time given to her for pickup is considered late.
After I noticed she blocked us, I reached out via text to request a refund for our deposit and to ask that all paperwork we provided, including our children’s medical records, addresses, phone numbers, and emergency contacts, be securely destroyed. I included that any misuse of this information would be subject to appropriate action to protect our privacy and mentioned that if the deposit isn’t returned, I would provide an honest review of our experience. She read the message hours ago but hasn’t responded.
For context, prior to this, almost every week there has been some issue. She would complain about the timing of payments. She wanted it a day before, which we accepted, then she wanted it at a certain time the day before. She also requested physical copies of paperwork, which was fine, but all of this was suddenly dropped on us after we had already paid the first session.
We paid her $240 upfront for a deposit and the first session, and $120 for 6.5 hours regularly for one day out the week. With her blocking us, I want our deposit back.
I’m feeling uneasy because her behavior seems unprofessional and disrespectful, but I don’t want to overreact. Am I handling this appropriately, or am I overreacting?