Dear Cr=Abby from Wiser in Canada

BABY SITTER GETS SCARE OF HER LIFE IN LATE-NIGHT DRIVE HOME

DEAR CR- ABBY:

Please print this as a warning to other teenagers. A couple from church asked me to baby-sit their three kids from 7:30 until 11 p.m. last weekend. My problems began when they didn't pick me up until 9.When they didn't return at the time they had promised, I began to worry. When they finally showed up at 1 a.m., they dropped a measly $6 in my hand. Then the husband drove me home. He reeked of booze and swerved all over the road. It was the most terrifying ride of my life. I was shaking all over by the time we arrived.The next day my dad called the police and told them the man had driven me home drunk. They said that if he had called the previous night, they'd have gone over and taken a Breathalyzer test, but they could do nothing after the fact.My mom then called the woman, who swore her husband hadn't been drunk. When Mom asked her for my going rate ($3 an hour, plus double time after midnight, which would have been $15 or $19.50, if you count the time I was booked for), the woman hung up on her.Some important lessons I learned that night:1. Agree on the wage beforehand.2. If the driver appears drunk (or stoned), call your parent, a friend or a taxi even if it costs you your wages to get home. NEVER get into a car with someone you think is impaired just to be polite.3. Don't automatically trust someone because you go to the same church. Always get references and baby-sit only for people you know well. -- WISER NOW IN CANADA

Dear 16 going on 17,

Tough situation to be sure, and gald you didnt end up wrapped around a tree.

You forgot #4...when you dont have a sober ride home,..call Dad who then could have handled the drive and collected your $19.50. We have a brand new technology here in the states...cell phones, maybe you have heard of them.

All that said, baby sitters across the globe have worst stories to tell Here are some of those horrifying adventures in babysitting...

1) Getting hit on my kid's dad

2) Getting hit on my kids mom

3) Getting hit on by the Pizza delivery guy (just out of jail)

4) Kids who ingest a tad too much sugar before you arrive

5) Boyfriends who come by and raid the fridge and then dash

6) Pets who leave presents right after mom and dad leave

7) Forgetting the charger to your Ipod

8) Hitting the liquor cabinet without knowing the levels were marked by the parents

9) Television with only three channels

-and-

10) Jason, Freddie and John McCain campaign workers coming to the door

Cr-Abby