My best advice is to pick a closing time and stick to it...no exceptions. No over-time fee will be worth it. I did this too my first couple of years as a favor to a family...it only increased in need and I got more frustrated and could feel myself burning out fast. The child was a dream, but the situation left me feeling used and resentful. Ironically, this was the one family that never went above and beyond in terms of gratitude: Perhaps a paid day off, a Christmas present, or even a thank you. I cannot put in to words the relief I felt on that child's last day when I presented her family with a beautiful photo book of her time here, and passed her on with the knowledge that she was more than well prepped for her new pre-school...such a wonderful feeling to get my life back. I happened to run into this child & her dad a little over a year after her departure...she climbed up in my lap and cuddled in as Dad and I caught up....I was shocked that she remembered me!