Lucrative summer job offer or headache?

[Outcast]

Hey guys!:)
Things are going great in the new house with my Mexican pals! Of course, I have the hassle of trying to get as many sub-teaching jobs i can so can cover my rent for the summer too...and well, the chance of getting paid by mexicans to teach english classes:)
meanwhile, i have been offered a chance to babysit my friends two boys for the summer and they will pay mefor it. There is a dinner with them tonight to discuss it. However, i am concerned because i dint not liek my friends tone with me. Suddenly, last night before hanging up she added: oh, and jeff, you are to have your car cleaned out...no cups, coke bottles, or other stuff in the passenger floorboard...or the other litlte miscellaneous stuff lying around in your back seat. This will be part of your interview process tomorrow night. I will also be frequently making inspections and monitoring your car when you come to visit. If my children are to ride in your car as you dirve them to various activities and outings i have planned, it will be professional at all times, do you understand me?" this "tone" also happened before in february when i started having the leg muslce problems and leg pain and i just mentioned it in friendly chat over dinner and mentioned needing to get prayer for it...after a day of babysittign the boys . Once again my friends reply: so, what time will you be here tomorrow? you know that you have to be here no later than 8:00AM...you understand?"
So, knowing my friend can be so "OCD" in any and all business...do i really want this job? or do i want to take a chance and give english lessons for mexicans. My friends and housemates feel confident i can make good money and they will even help arrange a place for the classes. Again, this "hired help" tone is scary....:( I lived with them for 8 months and rented a room for them from 2003until 2004, and i have proven myself honest and trustworthy...especially the times i babysat the oldest one as a baby/toddler. I take safety and well being of a child seriously...even to the point of once giving myself a no TV rule when he napped or was put to bed...and i would move into the office and use the internet and the computer...which was the room next to his nursery...so i could hear everything? any advice?:)

[drake71449]

i would pray about it...and consider the teaching job...see what God has instore for you!

:p

[DawnAurora]

We used to have a rule in college, never room with a friend you really wanted to keep as a friend :p:)....

Something has her tense about this setup already. Better that you discuss frankly with her about why the sudden, 'do you understand me' tone. WHY she seems so quick to assume you will 'mess up' before you start. Be prepared for her to say you seem to run late, and ask yourself if that might be true. Or if she suddenly just gets all nervous, ask respectfully what has her nervous about this arrangement?

'Unhygenic' would be a reason to suggest the car should be cleaner. but 'Unprofessional' for a babysitter? If you are quoting her correctly than there is another issue under the surface, I think. In my experience it is the Lord's way to work issues through, not to let them simmer unspoken.

[LauraA]

Dawn, you have such a great way with words.

Jeff, I second what Dawn and Josh have said. Pray and see how the Lord leads you. How did the interview go?

For me, not saying that this is how you should feel or respond, but I would not appreciate being talked down to. I can see why a mom would take this very serious. There is nothing more important than her family besides God, of course. So it is VERY important to have the right person for watching her precious children. But. Being talked down to is offensive and disturbing. That would have to change before I would take a position with her. I would mention it in a way that isn't accusatory and let her know that if she is going to trust you with her children, she would have to respect you as an adult, fully competent and able to understand simple (or complex for that matter! lol) instructions without the "tone".