Tip the Babysitter????

One time, when I was running late, I paid her for her time plus a little extra. It was my way of letter her know that she really helped me out when I was in a bind.

I would just like to know how you find a good sitter....... Yes I think I would round up, or buy extra something special for them cor Christmas. I like the post about stuck with you now

only if they go above and beyond-

good luck!

I think it's stupid. I also never requested an hourly rate. You're the employer, you set the rate that you think is fair! If she doesn't like it, she will turn you down next time, and you can find someone else. Maybe I sound really mean or something, but we've never had anyone stop coming to us, and we pay $5 an hour flat rate.

And they're teenagers, for goodness sake! I've heard of some babysitters getting paid $15 an hour, plus a tip. My husband is an engineer with a Master's degree. Why should a teenager playing with preschoolers earn more than half his salary? And he doesn't get tips.

But this is very different in different parts of the country. That's how it is out West, though. This is coming from a very experienced babysitter and former waitress.

If she is a great babysitter with great character that you want available when you need her, she loves your kids, kids love her & have fun while your away, goes above & beyond and there is no one else you want your kids cared for by when you are in a pinch...then yes, even if it is only a couple of bucks. If you go above & beyond to take care of her, she will be more apt to take care of you/your family & be available when you need her. If you are not comfortable tipping every-time, then an occasional gift card ($5-10 value) to show your appreciation is also a great idea.

at first I was like, NO, of course not, but then I thought back to when I babysat in college. One family would have me join them for dinner, and pay me for that time, even if we went out somewhere. They also gave me GREAT presents at xmas and for my bday. Later they took me on their vacations as a nanny type, paying for all my expenses but not paying me in cash. Now it's 24 years later and they were in our wedding, my family attended their oldest child's wedding, we have Thanksgiving dinner at either their house or our house every year, and I still get birthday and xmas presents (and now my kids do too). All 3 of their kids have babysat my kids. I consider them family.

So, I guess they did tip me. And look what it got them - stuck with me for life. I did give them preferential bookings always back then too. And I was babysitting at least 3 different places every weekend throughout college.

I do all the time! Just ask my son's PCA. I have a hard enough time finding someone to watch all 3 of my kids so when I do have someone you better believe I let them know how grateful I am to have them there to help out, even if it is only for a few hours.

No but sometimes I just round up, esp if I don't have change. But I pay a high hourly rate so more than $15/hour would be silly, but she is 26 and works in a daycare facility. I would pay less for a teenager (no offense).

I don't think it is, any where. You need to decide if it is called for. Was it an emeregency or last minute call to babysit, then you might want to. I think if you have a great babysitter and want her to know, you should tell her and give a a nice bonus for the holidays and her birthday(a bonus that works for your budget). I think if you want to treat the sitter once in a while with a gift card to the movies or a book store, then there is nothing wrong with that. I just don't think you need to.

No, I've never heard of it before. I give my babysitter's daughter and family something for christmas... but she gives my daughter a christmas present too.

We pay a preknown amount to our sitters. If they are regular good sitters then I will give a Christmas bonus. I will pay extra for the unexpected such as staying over the agreed unpon return time, or extra work done around the house. I did return one time to find laundry, all of it collected washed dryed, folded and put away, floor mopped, dishes done, and dusting done. She said she was bored and wanted to do something, I said she was wonderful and she got a big extra bonus that night. My babysitters are paid well, but I am also the one that will call my top 3 and they will cancel dates, cancel plans, cancel other parents to be at my house as I pay well and they are treated well, I have 3 kids, snacks, food are always available, all activities are easily available for the kids, movies are rented for the night and Pj's and baths are usually already done and on. So playing with the kids, keeping them entertained, safe that is what I am paying for. As my kids are more precious then his job, income my husband does and who cares for them better be more invested in this job than any other they would do.

Really? Tip?? I think we need to get a grip on things. IF you pay your sitter a decent rate, why would you tip on top of that? I think a small gift at Christmas is good & raising their hourly rate of pay is plenty. I really think babysitting rates are out of hand. Back in the day, I got paid $3.00 per hour for 3 kids!!! And I worked for it!! These days the sitters are pretty spoiled, at least in this area, and EXPECT that you will provide food, drinks, tips?? Now, if we're talking a Nanny that watches your kids on a daily basis, full-time, so you can earn a living, by all means benefits similar to an employer isn't unheard of, but for an occasional sitter? No way! I appreciate our sitter, and let her know that by telling her she does a great job with our daughter, and small gifts for Christmas. I also do reviews twice a year & raise her rate of pay. She's been with us for over 2 years.

Heck no! When I babysat, I never expected more than what was agreed upon before starting my 'shift'. The only time I got any 'extra' was if I had to sit overnight, watch the kid's friends, or on a holiday. Even then, it wasn't a 'tip' so much as compensation for the extra/inconvenient babysitting. IF you come home to a cleaner house, or the babysitter had to deal with something out of the norm, or something like that, MAYBE a tip is in order. I think it also depends on if it's a regular sitter, or a one-time thing. One-time, no. If it's a regular sitter, then maybe, if they are super-awesome.

I love my babysitter and I always tip her a couple of dollars just rounding up the amount. When I was a nanny the dad would always tip me extra--anywhere from 5-20.00! I would do dishes and laundry after thie kids went to bed and I explained to them that I felt I was being paid by the hour, so if I wasn't doing something with the kids then I should be doing something around the house but he still thought that was going above and beyond and would tip me. I didn't expect it though.

I always round up - ie if it's $32, I give her $35. My babysitters are good and don't charge much so I figure with the 'round up' it builds a little loyalty.

I never heard of that but who would turn down extra money in this day and age?

My husband tips our babysitter, but I think it's a little crazy. We already pay her $12 an hour and our daughter sleeps most of the time we are gone. She is getting the $12 under the table. If it was a daycare or someone that watched everyday, I may give a bonus at the end of the year.

I think that a tip for great service is always appropriate. When I was in HS/college and babysitting, some families always paid a bit extra on top of the hourly rate, especially when I did extra cleaning up, or anything like that. You can bet that when I had more than one family trying to schedule me for the same time I gave those families priority. That being said, if you are paying fairly, a tip is probably not necessary, just a nice way to show your appreciation for the work your sitter does.

No, you do not tip the babysitter.
It is not the hourly rate they request but the one you are negotiating to pay.
You can give gifts occasionaly if you wish.

I don't do that but if I am later than I said I would be I give more.

I wouldn't tip but would provide the babysitter with food or snacks and beverages while they are babysitting.