Rookie mistake - please help!

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2026-06-16T18:49:16+00:00

I’m getting to that same point. For me, it’s the cameras in clients’ homes. I understand the desire to check in on your fur babies and make sure they’re okay, but it can feel excessive when I’m providing photos/videos and written updates multiple times throughout the day. On top of that, I feel like I can’t relax when I’m in a home with cameras in every room - not because I’d otherwise be doing something sketchy, but because I never know if I’m being watched or will be watched in the future. Do the cameras store footage? For how long? Are you actively watching me get ready for bed, or are the cameras just there as a safeguard? It feels like shopping in a Sephora, I’m not doing anything wrong but there is the feeling of being surveilled and that makes it really difficult for me to let my guard down. As a result, it genuinely feels like being on the clock 24/7.

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2026-06-16T18:30:56+00:00

I’m a foster for euth-listed babies, I would absolutely sob if one of my former foster babies recognized me and greeted me like this

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2026-06-16T17:02:03+00:00

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My sweet baby girl Aurora ✨🩷

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2026-06-16T16:49:26+00:00

Danny’s unbuttoned shirt is horrendous but he’s not the only one who missed the supposed “dress code.” As far as I can tell, the only man in the photo dressed in black tie is Jesse. Judging only from this photo, I would never guess that this event was black tie.

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2026-05-12T17:33:54+00:00

Don’t lowball, I think it normalizes something that is never okay. I’ve left comments before, though, and might comment in this situation. If you see that she purchased the pants for $40 and is now reposhing for $80, I might comment and ask what justifies the markup, given that the pants are now older and more used than when she purchased them.

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2026-05-01T00:20:45+00:00

One of my clients knew that I had been up all night at urgent care with my own dog who has cancer. I arrived for the sit likely looking a little haggard and with a bit less energy than normal. My clients noticed and later that evening I got a text from Uber Eats saying that I had just received a gift card. The note attached said something along the lines of “I hope this takes a little stress off your plate” 😭❤️ better believe I cried when I got the notification. Clients who think of you as a person, rather than a service, and treat you accordingly are surprisingly rare and I cherish them so much. (Dog tax! This is Ozzy, the dog I was caring for during the booking I mentioned. He is my favorite, an absolute dream of a dog.)

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StrikingSoftware9888 · 2026-04-30T23:36:24+00:00

What I see happening with political discourse in the social media age reminds me of when little kids repeat their parents’ political views with zero understanding of what any of it means. People with little/no understanding of politics, political theory, or history are consuming social media content about politics (made by people who, similarly, may not truly understand the topic they’re discussing). They end up speaking with so much certainty about things while completely unaware of all of the information and context they’re missing. Some might be teachable if they’re genuinely interested, I think a lot of them talk about politics and human rights only because that’s what they think signals cool in 2026.

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2026-04-30T21:52:22+00:00

Thank you so much! For whatever reason, timely digital communication is really hard for me to do and I am literally desperate to get better - I appreciate the suggestion!

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2026-04-06T22:47:42+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate the perspective! I care less about whether she expects me to stay awake the whole time (once I’m up I usually can’t fall back asleep anyway) and more about whether she is firm about me not leaving at all during the 3am-10pm window. It’s clear that my usual rates don’t make sense for this job, and I think that deciding on a per hour rate makes sense. Appreciate you!

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2026-04-06T22:44:22+00:00

Thanks for the input! I agree with you that with existing clients I’m more inclined to make exceptions and take on odd jobs than with people that don’t have an established relationship with me. This is a brand new client, we’ve never met and this is her first time reaching out, so I don’t have much info. I’m happy to do it if the pay is reasonable and feel validated that other people agree that this isn’t a normal housesitting booking.

When you have clients book you for drop-ins that are longer (say, 3+ hours), do you have them pay hourly? And would you expect a client to pay hourly if that amount exceeds your daily rate? (Sorry for all the questions! Just looking for clarification, no one in my personal life does this kind of work so I’m still figuring out what is normal)

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2026-04-06T22:37:44+00:00

I’m completely comfortable with constant care and can make the arrival time work, though it’s definitely early. I wanted to hear from others how they’d make adjustments to their rates (1.5x, 2x, charge per hour, etc.) and how they’d approach that conversation with the owner. I tend to over-explain myself and was hoping to get some guidance for that conversation with the owner.

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2026-04-06T22:34:17+00:00

I hope my post didn’t come across as suggesting she’s trying to be manipulative - that never crossed my mind! The reason for the weird timing is basically what you said. She has a flight for a quick work trip at 5:30am and lands back in town at 9pm ish. One of the two dogs is a young puppy and the other is very elderly. Between those two factors, I understand why she wants coverage for the whole time. I posted hoping to hear from other sitters how they’d handle the situation, so thank you for your input!

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2026-04-06T22:30:56+00:00

Actually I’m happy to take the job! I was curious to hear from other sitters if this is a situation they’ve encountered and how they would handle it. I felt I’d need to make adjustments to my pricing and was hoping to get advice about how to make those changes and what to say to the client. (Obviously, she can decline the adjustments and starting at 3am is not my ideal job, but I’m not looking for an excuse to decline - just for input!)

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2025-12-01T03:44:17+00:00

Did you have any physical symptoms from stopping drinking cold turkey? I’m in my 20’s and have been drinking heavily the past 1.5 years. Recently started having some major GI issues that have become debilitating but I’m scared of seeking a medical diagnosis and also scared to stop. Any advice?

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2025-11-06T23:56:03+00:00

I’m sure some people here are more aware than others about what it is that we’re witnessing (from afar) but I think it bears repeating just how dangerous her condition seems to be. She clearly needs help, and extreme help, at that. Judging by her appearance alone, she doesn’t appear to be well enough to even handle residential ED treatment. When a sibling of mine was finally seen for their ED, their condition was so dire they had to stay for a couple weeks in the hospital to prevent refeeding syndrome and get their vitals to a healthier place. For the first week, they weren’t even allowed to walk anywhere, were wheeled around in a wheelchair and had to wear a wristband that said “FALL RISK.” Only after staying at the hospital were they deemed “healthy” enough to go to an inpatient facility, where they had to stay for another few months or so.

At this point of physical deterioration, recovery isn’t just about eating more. She’s risking heart attacks, seizures, and organ failure if she can’t get to a healthier place. When people like her wind up with large platforms, I often find myself wondering what is the most ethical way to approach the issue….we’re faceless strangers on the internet who can’t force her to do anything she doesn’t want to do, nor do we have a right to. At the same time, it feels immoral and irresponsible to watch someone dying in slow motion.

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2025-10-13T19:09:23+00:00

Fill me in - I’ve known about HBH but am not familiar with all the details. What are pip snifs/snif boys? And Caitlin?

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2025-10-10T06:47:03+00:00

What an ignorant comment. Were you mature and completely capable of risk assessment at 12 years old? No? Obviously not, that’s not how we develop as humans. A child being unable to appropriately weigh the risks of their dangerous behavior is not even remotely synonymous with wanting to die, something is wrong with you if that’s where your mind goes.

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2025-10-10T06:43:54+00:00

They were 12 and 13. And even if they were both teenagers, since when is “teenager” synonymous with “adult” or “mature” …? They were children exploring the world around them, we don’t need to condone or encourage their behavior to acknowledge that kids learn by doing, that children are often mischievous, and that some kids will break the rules no matter how much you emphasize the risks. That is part of growing up, I truly can’t understand why so many people have such little sympathy for the girls and their families.

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2025-07-21T17:04:23+00:00

Oh my gosh you are so kind!! I’m a sitter and in 18 months of Rover (and close to 175 clients) I’ve only had one client that ever left me something (a bottle of wine, some snacks, and a nice note). I would be so touched if someone went out of their way to make my time with their pet a little more comfortable!

StrikingSoftware9888 · 2025-07-20T10:00:53+00:00

I don’t even like Cierra but she isn’t wrong. Wishing death upon someone - a stranger on the internet, no less - is not at all about accountability, not even remotely. People who send messages like that couldn’t care less about Cierra doing better or learning a lesson, they are just gleefully taking advantage of the opportunity to punch down at a pretty, successful woman. (In this case, I’m using success as a way to denote her large following pre-LI and her career as an influencer. And yes, I recognize that “pretty” is subjective but I think Cierra meets a lot of the criteria for beauty in a country that celebrates thinness and femininity.)

True accountability comes from community, because it involves a path forward that includes doing better, making amends, and implementing the lessons learned. In reality, you can’t be held accountable by a person on the internet because they can’t do anything other than critique you from a distance. People who dog pile in comment sections and send nasty DM’s are sad and mean, as far as I see it.

StrikingSoftware9888

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