Noodad - Latest Comments in noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

ksahdlkjash — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:11:53 -0000

I love it

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

That Girl — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:45:29 -0000

I'm onley 12 going to be 13 in October, but I'm a good babysitter, kids and parents like me, so I onley charge $5 an hour and $3 every additional child, and I live in New York, but not the city.

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

Babysittingjobs — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:33:58 -0000

I want to be a babysitter but i dont want my friends to know! There is a place reunion where everybody sees stuff, but I dont want to put the "Babysitters" thing because my friends will find out and will want to join me!
Do you have any tips?

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

Melissa — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:04:48 -0000

Ok I am 13 yrs. old and I'm starting to babysit but I have no clue how much to charge I don't want to charge too much because the families I am going to babysitting they aren't the richest and they don't have that much to give out so I have no clue how much to charge please help!!! :)

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

jessica — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:10:24 -0000

Hi! i am 16 years old and this year i am doing all my schooling online for medical reasons. My mom is a teacher and when one of her co-workers came back from maternity leave they needed someone to watch their 3 month old boy. I said i would love to do it. I love babysitting and i have been babysitting/mothers helper since i was 9. The family pays me $21 dollars a day for 4 hours, $105 a week. I think it works out pretty well but it is deffinately a LOT of work. I was surprised how much effort you have to put into a little baby. I can take my eyes off him for any amount of time because he rolls all around. I take him on walks and play with him the whole time. it would be nice to get a little more then $5.25 an hour. what do you think??

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

candi — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:46:17 -0000

www.babysitters4hire.com has been a great site for our family. We registered and were able to secure a sitter within the first 2 days. You can find the going rate for babysitters there as well as helpful tips for hiring a babysitter.

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

mike — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:43:54 -0000

We pay our sitter $12 an hour for one child
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

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

candi — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:17:14 -0000

Check out www.babysitters4hire.com. I used them to find my sitters and have had great success. It’s quick and easy to login and contact sitters directly. I highly recommend their site to all my family and friends. The babysitters put the hourly rate down they are asking for...you can negotiate with them.

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

Allexis — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:33:26 -0000

ok hey im gonna be 14 this summer along with my friend and we want to babysit since we both are babysitting we charge 6 dollars to 18 dollars an hour and 2 dollars for every extra child. we both are taking the classes at the american cross to become certified babysitters. we cook breackfast, lunch, dinner and we cleanup the entire house and arrange the kids an educational and fun activity to do everyday. so what do you think? would you hire us

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

bebesitta — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:04:17 -0000

yah, b careful who u ask, i would go 4 13 year iolds, they like 2 play and dont charge much, aso, babysitting classes r a way to no that a sitter nos what 2 do

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

layssa — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:46:12 -0000

I interest for this job..

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

Miffed — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:28:05 -0000

I'm not sure what your friend decided to do. I have three kids, a minimum wage job, and my husband is currently unemployed. There would be no way we would be able to afford $7 an hour let alone $10 an hour. I can possibly see $7 an hour for an occasional night out every couple of months. For full time babysitting no matter how many children, I actually wonder how much people actually make to pay a babysitter $10 an hour to be able to be at work? Then I wonder by the time the babysitter is paid if the parents aren't reduced to minimum wage. For $10 an hour, maybe I should quit my job and become a full time sitter.

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.

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

Pals4Eva — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 19:42:37 -0000

QUESTION:
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!

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

BekahDanB — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:46:38 -0000

I babysit 3 kids and they pay two dollars an hour for each kid! Is this a rip off?? I am 15 and this is the only income I get!! haha!

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

BrookeParker — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:27:52 -0000

from 6pm to 1am

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

BrookeParker — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:26:35 -0000

im 13 almost 14 and i need to know how much i should charge for 2 sets of parents one set has 1 child and he is 4yrs.old and the other set of perents has 2 kids one child is 6yrs. old and the other is 3yrs old how much should i pay them

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

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

Kopchik — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:48:34 -0000

I'm 16 n live in PA. My mom got me a job to babysit 2 girls, ones 9 n the other is 2). When they first called my mom they said i'd work 4 hrs every other day and would get $75 per kid per week. I thought that was pretty good. I got along great with the girls n the parents but then they asked me what would be an ok price. I've never babysat for anyone but my 12 yr old sister and had no idea. So after we talked about it for a couple minutes they wanted me to work 7 hrs per day for 5 days a week and pay me $14 per day. Is this right????

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

Gillian — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:23:02 -0000

I'm nearly fourteen and have been asked what my rates are for a particular job. The job is for babysitting two 7 year old boys and one 4 year old boy. I live in the Boston area. What do you think would be a good price per hour?

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

wahoodad — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:31:50 -0000

Hmmm. How often does your daughter babysit for these kids? How old are the girls she babysits? Watching two kids at a pool is a big responsibility...

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

jasmine — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:32:53 -0000

I have a 15 yr old daughter who babysite my friends two girls take them out to the pool and to the park for like 5 hrs or 6 and said 5 bucks an hr for both girls is good .. so is 250 for each child a good price to pay a 15 yr old?

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

OHmy God! — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:15:20 -0000

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!

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

wahoodad — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:44:37 -0000

Thanks for the additional information. The situation is much clearer now, and I'm glad that you told them you are leaving in June. The fact that they made no effort to keep you by offering more money says a lot, and I think they are taking advantage of you. While you watch their kids for $2.50 an hour or less, they are off working overtime to afford a new townhouse. If they bought a house they can't afford without working overtime, that's not your problem.

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

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

OHmy God! — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:07:32 -0000

I am retired..& rent an aptmt. I have been trying 2 help them, since they purchased a new twnhm..& the mom started 2 wk..I work sometimes until 7pm, since they try 2 wk overtime..The problem I am encountering now is the cost of gasoline, it's just keeps going up and I work sometimes, only 4 times a wk..yet I still think they might help with the gas. Now the (real) problem is that the dad is cheap & that I know 4 a fact, also only one child (the 5yr.old) is his..I do help the older one with all his homewk (the other don't have problem with hmwk)..

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

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

wahoodad — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:40:22 -0000

Dear OHmy God,

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.

Re: noodad » How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

Noodad — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:16:09 -0000

Well, it really depends on why you are doing it. Is this family in need? Are you good friends? Are you doing this for extra income or for living expenses?

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.