How long do I leave it before I ask for my money?

helphelphelphelp

My childminer was pregnant so I arranged for a temporary childminder to look after my daughter when she had the baby. I paid for the month of January with the agreement that any unused days woud be refunded, which I was fine about. My daughter was with her for one day in January and then I had a call saying she was in hospital and would not be able to look after my daughter so my daughter started with the new childminder and I paid a month in advance with the new childminder.

So my daughter was with the original childminder for the one day of 9 January and started with her new childminder on 10 January. The baby was born on 12 January. The baby was in special care for a few days and came home on 17 January.

No mention has been made yet about the refund. I have gone round with a card and a gift, but having children I know business matters are the last thing on your mind with a new born.

However, in 2 weeks time I have another 4 weeks childminding fees to pay so really want this money back.

But, a few months ago I inherited a sum of money which my original childminder knows about, so she knows I am not desperate for the money, (wasnt a huge amount, but enough to enable me to pay both childminders) but to be honest this is not really the point as I could have invested this money, may not have received it yet, etc.

So why do I feel so bad asking for money that is mine?

So the question is how long should I leave it before I ask for it, and how would be an appropriate way to ask for it without appearing insensitive?

Thanks

tea_lover

When the new fees are due, will they be going to the new childminder or the old one? If it's the old one, I'd take off whatever refund is due and just pay the balance.

If not, I'd maybe just give her a call and ask. It's not like you were hammering down the hospital door to demand your money. She's had a few weeks, and it was discussed in advance that you would probably need a refund so it's hardly unexpected.

CH27

The baby hasn't been home two weeks yet so I would leave it for another week.

Desperado99

As you said 'temporary childminder' I'm assuming that you'll be going back to the new one at some point. If it's soonish, I'd be tempted to tell her to knock it off the first month back instead...... that way it will have been mentioned and not forgotten.

But if you do want the money refunded as promised, I would leave it until february (but not too far into it). I'd start the sentence "I hate to ask, but" or "sorry to be a pain".

missmontana

She's running a business, put it in writing, give her a deadline to respond by, say 14 days, gives her time to get it sorted.

lizzywig

I would offer the childminder the choice. Maybe wait until Monday and then ask her and say would you prefer to refund me now or shall I deduct it from your first pay back, can you let me know by the end of this week (or next week, pick your date).

Bear in mind that she may not come back...

Acc72

If you are finding it difficult now, then the longer you leave it the more difficult it will get.

peachyprice

The money you inherited it totally irrelevant, remove any thoughts of that from the equation entirely.

The childminder is running a business and as such can't expect her clients to hang on for a refund 'just' because she has had a baby. presumably she has a partner she can instruct to refund you if she's not up to it herself?

I would ask her on Monday, either for a refund by the end of next week or to transfer the money direct to the new childminder for you.