Hi mamas, I need help.
I have been watching a friend's child for a long time now.
I used to watch her child once a week for 9hrs a day for free.
I did that for a year and a half.
However, now her work schedule has changed. She works full time and SHE offered to pay me.
She decided to pay me $6.25/hr. I think that's fine.
My husb says I should not charge her at all because she is a friend but I am watching her child 4-5 days a week minimum.
We, obviously, can use the money since I am a SAHM. I use the $ to help pay some bills taking a little load off of my
huband.
What do you think? Should I not charge her?
My thought was that she offered & she would be paying someone else that she does not know as well.
Since your friend offered to pay…then I say yes, take the money! Your time is worth it, isn’t it? I can see not charging for one day a week, but watching her little one 4 to 5 days a week…you definitely need some payment. Your friend obviously offered to pay because she knows her daughter is in good hands with you. Plus, besides helping pay bills, it would give you a little pocket money to do or get some things for yourself
I think that you should agree to SOME payment…maybe not so much, but do take some. $6.25/hr for 40hrs a week is $250. That’s a lot of money!
I know the cost of living in CA is a lot higher than here…but maybe you could charge her a bit less, since you are her friend. But still take SOME money to defray expenses and put some cash away for the holidays, etc.
Take her offer. What that offer means is I trust you with my child and want you to always be happy to take her. I have always overpaid my good babysitters because I want them to want to babysit for me.
What I am saying is it is a win win, she gets a babysitter she trusts, and by paying you she gets a happier babysitter.
ummmmm yes! Now that you are watching her child on a regular basis and especially since she offered.
This isnt a “favor” now it has turned into a job. I would be mortified if she didnt expect to pay you!
Yes and that seems to be a good deal from her pov. Her daughter is with a trusted friend vs in a big childcare center which is likely what $6.25/hour would buy. A full time private nanny in your area is likely $20/hour. If she doesn’t pay you, seems like resentment might build. Sounds like a good situation for both of you!
Yes, take the money. I’m sure you’re spending money on her child by supplying food, activities, etc. And you’re def. spending your time (time is money) by taking care of her child. Why shouldn’t you get paid esp. when she offered.
Santa Montica is a high living expense area. I would accept her money and be grateful. If, after a few weeks have gone by, and you feel it is too much money, then you can give her a rebate. If you check around and find that her payment is right for the services you provide, then do nothing.
I’d advise you to save half of the money she gives you in a “Fun Funds” jar. Then you can pay bills with the other funds and have fun with the money you have earned. Invest some of the funds in stocks that pay a big dividend. Many companies pay 7% dividend or higher. (A 7% dividend means they pay 7% of what you paid for the stock annually divided up so you get 1/4th of the annual dividend each three months.)
You should definately charge her. If it is occasionally for a hour or two…no…but full time so she can go to work…absolutely. Your time is worth something. Plus if I were her I would WANT to pay you so that I did not feel like I was using you. So take her money it is fair!
Yes, you should absolutely take the money. Your friend is making more full time, so she can afford to pay you. And the time and effort you put into watching her child has value. Be proud of the contribution you’re making to your family.
Take the money. You could offer to take a little less than the amount she offered if it makes you feel any better. But if she is offering to pay, then it most likely will not hurt your friendship at all for you to take the money. One year I had 3 friends taking care of my child on a regular basis. Two refused money and one accepted it. I don’t think any less or more of any of these friends for their choice to take the money or not. I actually think more of all of them just for that fact that they took good care of my child when I needed them.
I think it’s fine for you to accept the pay as long as you’re both treating it like an employer/employee relationship.
Ahead of time you need to commit to this, you guys should work out what happens in the instances of illness, vacation, summertime, holidays, etc.
She needs to RELY on your child care and you need to know what you both agree on before entering into this.
It can change things.
Take the “guesswork” out of the equation by working out all possible scenarios.
Hard to think ahead, but what if you want a Friday off to take a long weekend trip with your family? Are you OK with committing to a FT child care schedule over the summertime too? What if YOU have a sick child? What about if you are seriously sick? Is there a back up plan for her to use (her mom, sister, etc.) and how much notice does she need to give them if they’re needed?
Absolutely.
I watch my friends kids all the time for free, when they go to the doctor or are in a bind.
If I watched them on a regular basis while their mom is off making money, I would expect to be compensated. For my time and the food and other things I would be supplying.
Yes, charge her, otherwise you are being taken advantage of.
Ditto all the advice that you should definitely be compensated for you time and energy and commitment.
Since she is a good friend and you clearly adore the child, you might consider a flat daily rate, rather than nit pick over an hourly rate. Because you get into traffic jams and then are you going to charge for her being late?
I think every now and then is helping out. Full-time is a job and you should be paid. I wouldn’t do it for free.
I agree with others that an in-home daycare would be about $150 a week here. But that’s not providing any food. And it’s that rate whether they come or not. So $6.25 an hour is $250 a week if she is there for 40 hours. I say take the money! Or if you’re doing it for free, tell me where you live, I’d love some free childcare :).
