This thread reminds me of my longest term babysitting years ago. I won't get into the whole story, but basically, a friend of a friend was looking for an emergency babysitter. That was me. 2 weeks later I was their new full time babysitter. I was watching the kids pretty much every evening and weekend, so the parents could have some "time off". I didn't mind. I loved the kids, but the parents changed one day when one of the children asked them if she could live with me. I think they got their message.

I think when parents have time off, it's fine for them to use the services since they are paying, but they really should be using them less and spending time with their child.