Hey moms,
So I never have any hired babysitting so I am really out of the loop on all this. I did have a professional service come to a hotel and watch my baby last year and that was like $85 or so, but that was a service with all the bells and whistles, and other than that the only people who have ever watched my kids are family or friends who are basically family anyway. Well one of my best friend's nieces is in town for Christmas break from college and is looking to make a bit of money while she is home. Her mom posted on facebook that if anyone was interested she was available. She is great girl, very responisbile, 19 I believe and she is going to drive herself. Her mom said she didn't charge much at all, so I contacted her and she said she charges $10 an hour and $5 for gas. Is that good these days? Total will be $45, and she is cutting me a break bc we will most likely be out for like 4.5 hrs. We can afford it, I guess I just expected more like 30ish bc she is young and not like CPR trained that I know of etc. The baby will be asleep and she will basically be with myolder kids for an hour and then put them to bed and just be at my house. So what's the vote, reasonable or a bit high? Like I said, I am not really up on this stuff, back in my day, ahem...a few yrs back now...I made a lot less than that. Thoughts??
Cool, thanks for the input, sounds like we are getting a great deal :) @ Layne, I know right???? I am 36, when I was babysitting if you scored a $20 it was like 'holla!' So, there you go times have changed and we're old!!!! j/k!
I think that is a pretty good deal. Most families I know pay $12/ 1 kid; $15 for 2; $18-20 for 3. We do $20/hr for 3, because I know my oldest is a handful.
ETA: Back in 1999-2000 when I babysat my cousin's toddler, I was paid $10/hr.
I pay my 15 yr old niece 10-15 an hr depending on what's going on for my 2 kids, 10 an hr for 3 kids is cheap.
That seems to be the going rate for actual babysitters I know when its like my niece or little sister or brother I normally just give them like 20 but paying for an outside babysitter well I used to work at a preschool and I know that all the teachers who babysat charged at least 10$/hr but we were also cpr/first aid certified
Updated
My almost 18 yr old averages $12-$15 per hour cash. She is CPR trained.
She's a well sought after sitter in our neighborhood. At holidays she takes gingerbread houses to decorate, other times she takes crafts, tutors Spanish and regular homework.
When we hired sitters for her... We guaranteed $40 for the night because the sitter blocked that time for us. In the end, our weekly sitter was $69-$80 cash per week. Well worth it.
Sounds like you have a fair deal.
That is pretty typical. Around here the range is $10-$15/hour.
Just re-read and noticed this is for more than one child...so I think $10 is a great deal. My $10-15 comment was based on one child. Around here, many sitters add a buck or two per hour for each additional child.
Even in high school our daughter charged $8,00 per hour for the first child and $2.00 more per additional child. Now she charges $10.per hour first child.
our daughter did not just sit around, she took games, colors, books etc. to play and engage the children..
12-15/hr normal in Boston area
$10 an hour is actually pretty good, especially for 3 kids. For 3 kids, I pay around $12 an hour (and I know i'm on the cheap side). I pay the same whether 13 year old or 20 year old.
A good price for three kids...you never know when one will wake up or need extra care. I would charge $15/per hour.
I don't pay gas unless I'm asking a sitter to drive my son somewhere. Other than that, yeah, $10 an hour is pretty much the going rate these days.
$10/hour... is very very average.
Also, has the girl done babysitting, before???
Does she have experience, with a baby and with children????
Costs are either hourly... or flat rate. Of course agreed upon, beforehand.
Or, you hire a "Professional" if you want/need someone with CPR training and First Aid training and certification.
It doesn't matter if the child/children will be sleeping or not. The caregiver STILL has to be, on call and supervise the children.
So they are not doing "nothing."
Plus, I assume she will also be prepping meals for your kids, feeding them, and cleaning up after etc.
And yep, she is not just babysitting ONE kid. You have Three.
We pay our adult niece (early 20s) about $10 per hour for our daughter (dep. on how we round it). Unless it's overnight, I expect the sitter to be awake and aware the entire time we're gone, so even if she's not actively with the kid, she's still there for us. We don't pay her for gas, but she's also never asked.
I think she's reasonable.
I kind of have to laugh because a lot of our kidless friends have no idea that it's not a $12 movie ticket. It's $24 for 2 of us, plus snacks, plus $10 an hour for the sitter. Movie nights are very very rare.
Edit to add:
When I was a teen, I watched 2 boys in the summer for something like $100 a week. But that was, um, long ago and far away. Gas used to be under $1/gal, too.
When I started working in 1982 the minimum wage was $3.35/hour...it's not 1982!!
My daughter is 19 and has been CPR certified for years! As a college student she opts to be a server in a restaurant because with minimum wage and tips it is more like $25 - $30/hour. Sleeping children need to be supervised too, she just can't take off.
Not just in this example but why in the world would college students work for $2/hour or $20/day??
I've never had a babysitter charge me for gas.
We are usually charged $10 per hour and in some cases an extra $2.50 to $5.00 per children (when we had 4 or more). The people that watch my kids were Master's in Tae Kwon Do - with certifications and background checks...
If you trust her - it's worth it. If you don't trust her, it's not worth it.
I know! I babysat for an entire summer, 9 hour days, and was thrilled when halfway through the summer she increased my pay from $2 to $2.50 an hour. I felt like I was rollin' in it 20 years ago!
Ten dollars an hr is the going rate. I have never heard of a gas charge though.
For three kids that's a deal although I've never paid for anyone's gas...that's new.
..........I just have to say I am 34.., and 20 years ago(wow,20) I babysat every day after school for 2 bucks and hour!!!! Crazy. lol
Where I live we pay $10-15 per hour.
I think paying a babysitter more than minimum wage is ridiculous. I just think it's nuts. I won't pay one that. I pay my friends $20 for the day for watching our grandson and $30 for the day for them watching both kids. Most of the time that is for less than 4-5 hours but I always pay the same amount regardless if they have them all day or just a couple of hours.
$10 per hour is a great deal, particularly with more than one child.
Nope not high at all. Thats just fine. I mean it's a one time deal it seems. And you know her.
Sounds right for a 19 year old. I have found my best babysitters to be 13/14. They are the most attentive and conscientious. They are usually 7/8 an hour.
Yeah, that is high. Most sitters in our area charge by the child. Like $5 an hour for the first and $2 for each additional. None ever charge for gas. Its a cost of doing business. Or, some will just say- $30 for the night. That kind of thing.
The aftercare here is about $2 an hour so wow, teens are expensive! But I guess if they come to the house, yes, it's to be expected.
thats what we pay...we rarely go out because of the cost of the date then the cost of the sitter!
That is a great price. Book her now before someone else does!
Updated
That is a great price. Book her now before someone else does!
19 isn't young for a babysitter as most girls stop babysitting at 16 and get a real job! Also, I would expect she would have CPR training. Mostly everyone gets CPR training at around age 12 here. This is a good deal, especially for more than one child.
I charge $5 for one kid and a dollar more an hour for each additional kid, but I am a great deal. I only babysit in my own home so I can still go about my daily routine, and I babysit for friends and like to help them out by charging them a really reasonable rate.
You are getting SUCH a good deal. The going rate for 1 child around here is 17-20/hour then if you have two or more is 25 +. I would make sure you are comfortable with her and she should be CPR trained. Anyone that watches your child should be certified in CPR and First Aid.
Believe me, I know some people say its not a big deal because you won't be gone long or will have your phone by you etc. I personally had to perform cpr on an infant when I was babysitting as a young girl. I was sooo thankful to have taken the classes and got certified. The little boy's mom was so grateful also. Good luck with the babysitter!
10-15 is average here, as well.
As far as afterschool care (group, super cheap, YMCA rates) that's $10 per hour, or $50 for a half day, $100 for a full day. Which I only mention because someone below me said after are in their area is $2 per hour. Not here!
I pay flat rates. That way I am not constantly looking at my watch and cutting my night short. Ususally the sitter is a realtive who sleeps over and raids food!
Well I think you should take into consideration that she is caring for multiple kids. Also, sometimes your peace of mind knowing your kids are in good hands makes the money worth it.
Happy Holidays,
DH
