I have three kids, ages 3, 1 and 10 weeks. Two teens from the neighborhood just came around with a flyer for babysitting services. They are 12-13 yrs old, and would be babysitting together. I usually have family watch my kids, but I may not always have that option, so...
I did alot of babysitting for neighborhood kids when I was their age, but I know the rates are much higher these days. I'm considering using them during my company's holiday party, which means they would need to give the kids dinner and put them to bed. I would not ask/expect them to do any cleaning like dishes or anything. Just the childcare.
What do you pay your sitters per hour, and what do you expect of them? If they are staying later at night, do you pay a higher rate, than say an afternoon sitting job?
ETA: They do have first aid training and are learning CPR. They live in our complex, so their parents are close by should something happen.
No way would I ever leave 3 babies with two young teenagers! Maybe if it were just the 3 year old but even still... They are likely not trained in cpr/first aid, sids trained or know about shaken baby, and what if something happened? They can't drive. Yikes!
My daughter is 16, CPR trained, and has several families she regularly babysits for in our neighborhood.
There are a variety of families she sits for with 1-3 children. Right now the youngest is 2.
She gets $12-$15/hr but the going rate is minimum $10/ he in our area.
That said, she shows up with a fun bag of things to to ( all prearranged with permission from mom) .
A plus is that her customers are mostly neighbors and they know I am home as well if needed.
Good luck!
Ya....I babysat a lot when I was their age but I was never entrusted with an infant. I would never leave a baby that young, not even the 1 year old. They aren't mature enough to handle an emergency situation at that age. Sorry just my humble opinion!!
Okay:
DO they have, experience at babysitting... already???
AND for an INFANT?
And for kids, that are the ages of your older kids?
Personally, I would not want Teens, to babysit my infant.
Unless, they have GOOD solid experience, and references.
Do they know how to cook or prep food? Or feed your kids whatever food you have? And know how to put the kids to bed? And/or know how to feed an infant... and that that means, feeding the infant on-demand? Do they know an infant's, cues for hunger, etc.?
Night time care... is sometimes more expensive.
How 'late'... are they expected to stay there?
What is their, bedtime?
IF they are CPR trained AND First-Aid trained... they would be certified. AND have the certificate card, too. To show you.
Which proves, they are then, CPR and First-Aid, certified.
We pay $10/hr for our 2 yo and 4 yo. Personally, I would never leave a 10 week old with a sitter. (unless it was an Aunt or Grandmother)...I'm a little paranoid like that.
Since all of your children are young, I'd offer $15 an hour at least...unless they're REALLY well behaved or sleeping at the time.
Have fun at your holiday party, if you're able to go!!
I pay our sitter 15 dollars an hour. She is a retired Grandma and I love her!
I usually pay more for a day job as most people work or got to school 9 to 5 and so it is much harder to find a good sitter during those hours.
I pay $10/hr for a 4, 8 and 10 yr old. I pay a bit more than I have to to ensure I can get a babysitter when I need one. i would be afraid to leave a 10 week old w/ a couple of teenagers.
They are too young to look after a 10 week old. Doesn't that concern you?
Happy Thanksgiving!
We use one of the gals from our daycare.IOur kids are 3 and 5 and we pay $10 an hour. I don't think I'd enjoy myself if someone that much younger was watching our kids. 16 + would be different and ok with me if I knew them. You could test the waters and have them baby sit with yu in the house cleaning, etc so you can observe. 10 wks is young for a 12 yr old to watch but they could have little siblings and handle them well. You won't know until you observe. If they sit together it'd be easier to manage 3 little ones. I hope that helps. :-)
I have a 13 yr old babysitter, but my kids are 8, 5 and 3 and the girl's mom is a nurse and father a fireman and they live next door. She is CPR certified though, and has taken babysitting classes. I pay her $10 an hour.
I pay our sitter $10 an hour for four kids ages 9,7, 3, and 3. I would have to agree with the others about leaving an infant with girls that are so young. The only way I would even consider it if is they currently have an infant sibling they can "practice" on. Have you thought about sittercity. com. You have to pay, but it may be worth it. You could also give them a try as a mother's helper to watch the kids while you are at home. THen, I would only pay about $5 an hour. Good luck.
Even if these girls are responsible which sound like they are, I would air on the side of caution, since they are still just 12 and 13 and I think watching 3 babies 3, 1 and 8weeks is too much for them. Even if the parents are close by, it only takes a second or so for a baby to get into harm's way and I would worry the entire time I was gone.
I would only leave my 8 week old with a very mature teenager (at least 16+) who came highly recommended by people I know. There is just too much that can happen. Even something small like over heating their bottle, etc. That's a lot of responsibility for a 12 year old.
I have 3 kids, ages 1, 4 and 8 and pay sitters between $12-$15/hour. You want to be able to enjoy yourself when you go out, and I don't think I could if a child was watching my baby
I have two kids 9 & 7... we overpay our sitter, but she will bring a bag of crafts and other things that the kids get to keep. Plus she is right across the street & we are good friends with her parents. We pay her $10/hour.
