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Most people say $10 an hour for the first kid. $2 an hour for each additional kid. My philosophy? Pay a little more than what the sitter is getting from everyone else. That way, when there is a big date night, the sitter will choose to sit for you over the other guy.
I also let babysitters use the wireless internet and computer in the house to \"work on school homework\" after the 2 year old as gone to bed. Sotware makes sure they don\'t roam where they shouldn\'t.
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Erin
I, agree, there is some variance depending on the situation. Keep in mind what the job is. If you are worried about how much it cost, then stay home. Good babysitters are really hard to find but that doesn\'t mean you should automatically buckle to unreasonable requests either. Only you can know what the value of your kids , your peace of mind and your babysitter are to you.
Both of my daughters babysit now and both do pretty well with it. Their mother and I are just as involved in the process from this side as we were from the other. My oldest has a job and babysits to pay for the insurance on the car she now drives to and from her various jobs.
One thing we\'ve done is to share babysitters with friends. We\'ve had nights where we go out with our friends who have kids the same age, and we share the babysitter (either their house or ours). Works out really well (they have 2 kids and we have 1). We each chip in $20 or so and the babysitter makes out pretty well.
Also, being a youth pastor, I have a pretty good supply of teenagers who love my daughter and are willing to watch her. I know a number of churches in our area have a babysitting network of youth who can watch kids. Usually the price is pre-set ($10 and hour seems to be the going rate) but things are always negotiable.
While we do expect the babysitter to clean up after her (or him)self (open debate on male babysitters?), we\'re not hiring a maid. So I just expect the house to be in the relativly same condition that we left it in.
It seems that babysitting rates vary like all other expenses depending upon where you live. I'm in the Boston area and pay $10 an hour for 2 kids (7 and 2 1/2). I'm a stay-at-home dad, so I use a babysitter to get things done during the week that I can't do with the kids underfoot or I run errands that are easier without the kids. That means that I'm home during the babysitting a lot of the time.
I also have a regular schedule with my babysitter (2 days a week for 3 hour each time when she gets out of school), so that's a factor. I also always round up, because she is great with my boys and I don't mind paying more to keep her loyal to my family if it is us or someone else asking for a particular night or day.
You have to think about some of these things for your 8 hour adventure with the 10 month old twins. Is this going to be a regular gig for you? Are the parents just going out to a wedding or some other event for one day? How much experience do you have?
If it is a one-time thing, I'd ask for $100 for the day. You are going to have your hands full. It's one thing to babysit two kids that can fend for themselves (somewhat) and express to you what they want and need; but handling two kids still in their first year deserves a little extra combat pay.
I hope this helps. If you want to let us know a little more about this situation (one-time deal or trying for a regular babysitting job, where you live, your relationship to the family, your age (or just if you're a student or an adult), etc.), we can give you a less general answer.
Good luck!
wahoodad
the mom set the price when i was 12! im 16 now. how do i get her to let up and pay me the right amt? (preferably w/o loosing my job!)
I would assume that after 4 years yu are pretty tight witht he kids and with the parents. I would be honest with them. DOn't ask for a huge increase but be honest with how you love the kids but for the amount you make, yu could be making a little more taking on a retail job or a waitressing job, etc.
PLEASE tell us that you get $15 an hour for 9 hours a day totaling $135 and not $15 for the whole day. $15 per 9-hour day for 4 kids equals 41 cents per hour per kid. I'm also guessing that you might do your babysitting on the weekends only. Either that or you're going to school and working until midnight or later.
If that is what you're getting paid it isn't nearly enough. Granted, these kids are older now and mostly self-sufficient, but there are 4 of them. You may have put yourself in a tough spot. This family hired you when you were 12, and now their oldest is 12. They might feel that he is old enough to watch his siblings and that costs them nothing.
Finally, you don't have to LET her pay you the right amount. Do a little research with friends and/or parents with younger kids and ask them how much they pay their babysitters. Figure out what is fair in your mind and ask for it. Unless you're doing this for charitable reasons, you need to ask for an appropriate rate. As you get older, your expenses go up. If you have your license $15 will get you about 4 gallons of gas, for example. $15 will get you a ticket to a movie and maybe a small soda, but not much else.
Of course you have to take into account your relationship with the family, but I'm sure there are lots of folks in your community who would pay an appropriate rate for a dependable babysitter.
Let us know more details about when and how often you babysit these kids.
In a vacuum, you are being taken advantage of. I would ask for more. But the other variables could play a huge part in determining how much more you should ask for.
Noodad makes a good point with questioning why you work for this family. If you are doing it out of the goodness of your heart, it's a different matter than if you are truly dependent on this income. If you wouldn't shuttle these kids around and watch them for free, is it really worth your time to do this for $15 a day?
Let's put all the other factors aside and talk just about the monetary aspect. If the parents get home around 6:00 each night, you are working 6 hours per day. You are caring for 3 children--regardless of their level of self-sufficiency--for $2.50 per hour. If you do this 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours, you get $75 per week, or $300 per month.
Assuming you are doing the babysitting for some extra money and not necessarily for any emotional ties or deep friendship, let's look at another job where you could work for some extra money. For argument's sake, cashier at a grocery store. If the store pays minimum wage ($5.85) and you work 30 hours each week, you'd take in about $105 per week after taxes (I took out 40% for taxes). Again, we're talking about a job where you only get MINIMUM wage. A lot of places pay more than that for even the most basic of jobs if you are dependable--at Starbucks and Home Depot I think you are even eligible for BENEFITS if you work 30 hours a week!
So, I think you really have to look at the situation and decide if you want to do what's best for you, or what's best for the family you sit for. If the motivating factor goes beyond your paycheck, I would at least ask them for $25 a day. I based this on 6 hours a day, so if that's wrong just do the math to find your hourly rate and then back into a number with which you are comfortable. If you are doing it for the money, I would ask for even more and be prepared to walk away if they say no to you.
A couple of things jumped out at me from your post. First, you said that they 'allow' you to watch TV and use the computer, which leads me to think that the kids are keeping themselves busy and aren't challenging you to games of Candy Land or Monopoly. That's fine, but it doesn't sound like it's a fulfilling time for you. Next, you say that you pack your own lunch and dinner. If you do this by choice because you only like certain foods, that's one thing. If the parents asked you to bring your own food, that's another story. I would, in fact, find that completely outrageous. Anyone who watches my kids can have anything they can find in my pantry and fridge (no booze, of course), and if they want something different I'll leave money for takeout.
For some reason both parents and babysitters alike don't feel like watching kids is worth a lot of money--but for some reason when you call it "day care" you can get a hell of a lot more (I have friends who pay between $2500-$3000 a month for full-time day care for two children). The same people who leave their houses after hemming and hawing over $8 per hour for babysitting will head right out and drop $50 on a few beers and a couple of plates of rubbery chicken and butter-drenched summer veggies at an Applebee's without a second thought.
Sorry for the long response. There's a lot to think about here. If you're doing this for the money above everything else, either get more or walk away--your services are worth more than $2.50 an hour and life is way too short. If you love the family and the kids adore you and it's a way for you to feel like a surrogate grandmother, still try to get more money.
Finally, keep in mind that I'm in the Boston area where the cost of living is more than in Orlando (I have a cousin who lived there for a while) so my persepctive is a little different. If you need a benchmark for your area, call some babysitters and ask them how much they'd charge for the same services you provide. I think you'll be surprised at the answers.
They do have a very nice place, & I am happy 4 them..I just think sometimes that my help is not being appreaciated..I pack my lunch due to a comment that the dad said 2 me, when he was upset @ his wife..(that the growing kids eat too much!! I say that's normal) I made no comments, & his wife asked why I don't eat with them (I will ever tell her) I just did not tell her the truth.
I told them that in June, I will not be able 2 care 4 the kids anymore (I love those kids, even when they fight) that they would need 2 get someone else,...they did not say anything.
The gas in my car is going 4 almost $30.00, that's 2 days of work.
Thanks 4 all the feedback...I will take everything into account.
God Bless
If you've already told them that you are leaving in June, I suspect that they won't want to give you any more money. Just remember that you hold all the cards here. You can walk away at anytime. They need you more than you need them--no matter how much you care about the kids. You are not being paid enough for what you do for them.
A 3-month notice is also very generous and considerate of you. I think you have every right to tell them you'll work for two more weeks at your current rate, and that if they want you to stay through June they have to double it. It shouldn't cost you $30 a week to make $30 a week.
They are in for a rude awakening when they look for new childcare, and I wouldn't feel the least bit of sympathy for them.
You're in a good position where you are retired and are just making some extra money. You could find another family closer to you to sit for if you still want to care for kids. This time, though, YOU dictate the terms. Find out what is reasonable and fair in your area. The other option is to do an entirely different job in a field that matches up with your hobbies or interests. For example, if you're interested in gardening, go to a local flower shop and see if they need help. That kind of thing.
I wish you the best of luck and hope the feedback helps.
wahoodad
God bless you for u'r quick feedback...& I thank u.
Yes u'r r right, when they see the cost 4 childcare, I don't even want to be around.
I am aware I try my best 2 help them. In the future I will take u'r advice to heart.
Love u'r site, & will recommend it (to babysitter)2 person like me that r not aware of how much 2 charge & need a little extra income.
Thank You!
i might posibly have a nother set of parents with 2 kids one is alomst 1 and the other is 4yrs old
how much should i charge for these people???
help!!!
the job is from 6;00 pm to 1;00 pm
This summer I will babysit my 4-month old cousin. There will be an adult nearby if I need help or anything. I'm a beginning babysitter, but I'm Red Cross certified. How much should I charge per hour? Help please! Thanks!
If I was in your friend's situation and was able to pay the extra amount, I would tell the babysitter that I would pay her the legal minimum wage, which will go up as minimum wage goes up. She will have to agree to the following 1) Have the job as a legal contract where she would have to file for taxes like the rest of the working world 2) The job will now include cleaning whether or not the children made the mess. That means the house better be spic-n-span clean. 3) If I would find out she was using the computer or phone for personal reasons, her pay would be docked for the usage. 4) If I would hear of any complaints, or anything was broken, her pay would be docked and her mom called. 5) She better be there ten minutes early every day she was scheduled. 6) She has to come to work neat and clean, no jeans, tee shirts, shorts, or anything else that isn't allowed to be worn in a casual work environment.
7) She will not be compensated for any canceled shifts, since this is a contract job. If she pushes the issue and insists, then she will have to come to all shifts that the parent would make with no exceptions. Sorry if it cuts into her social life and you can't go to the party, dance, have to cancel your date, or etc. You are working in a job now. If she cancels a shift herself, she will need to give 5 days notice, and will be docked that amount of money from the next pay.
I'm sure there is more to add. If she wants to be paid as if in a regular job, then she will be treated as if this is a regular job and the parent is the boss.
It really sounds like the babysitter needs to learn more about life and how things actually work. In my experience if someone is nice, they get treated nicely back. If someone tries to hardball someone, they better be good at it because they will get hardballed back.
The babysitter is also in for a very rude awakening. Still being in high school, I know where I live she would have to have her parents permission, and schools permission to work. She better have very good grades. Then when she gets a job, her hours would be legally limited, since she still needs time to study. If she lived around here, I don't know of one place that would give her guaranteed steady set of hours. If she is just getting her license, I would think she is still in school. I think she also may be trying to bluff about being able to get another steady job also.
The babysitter better be careful. For someone looking for a job out of highschool, or even looking to get into college, babysitting could look good on the application. As long as the person who hired you as the babysitter is willing to give a good recommendation. Maybe that is even more important than a $3 raise, which most people don't get let alone in a year.
I posted a series of articles on finding a sitter at http://kidzense.blogspot.com/search/label/Tips
Where we provided tips on choosing a good sitter, using online services, and performing background checks
Do you have any tips?