Is it wrong to charge my sister $100 for a week of full time childcare?

Question

I currently work as a Teacher's Aide. My resume consists of 10 years of nanny and childcare jobs. I babysit occasionally for her three kids (ages 2, 5, and 10) and she has never offered to pay me for my time. I know I am their Aunt, and I love those kids dearly. But I'd rather be their Aunt and invite them to my house and on outings instead of being their babysitter. My sister needs a week of fulltime care for her 10 year old, and I offered to do it for $100. (That's just $2.50 an hour!!)
She was furious and said as their Aunt it's expected that I babysit them for free any time my sister needs me. I feel insulted that she doesn't take my profession seriously enough to pay me for my time and expertise. She thinks I'm being ridiculous. She said to me, "When you have kids I will babysit them any time for free, it's a sisters duty." I told her I would never ask her to babysit, that I would ask a neighborhood teenager or somebody who babysits regularly as a job. What should I do?!

Thanks for the answers so far. :) Yes, she can most definitely afford $100 a week. She will be paying $280 a week for summer camp the rest of summer. If it wasn't family, I would be charging $12-$15 an hour. A HUGE difference! Her argument is that she might as well leave her at home for free. (Her mother-in-law lives with them, and watches the other 2 younger kids everyday for free.) But my argument is- it is a different level of childcare. I would have a schedule to keep to, and planned actvites and craft projects, and help with her summer reading. Grandma speaks little English and doesn't drive or leave the house. So my sister knows the 10 year old will be bored all day long, which is what prompted me to offer my services.

Answer 1

$100 sounds reasonable to me. She is the one that chose to have the child. It is certainly not your obligation as an Aunt to watch her child for free 40 hours a week. I don't think it is fair for her to even assume you would do it for nothing.

Answer 2

Okay, this is a tricky situation. I think the reason for needing a babysitter in the first place plays a part in it. If her regular babysitter is on vacation, then yes, she should pony up the $100. There is no where else on earth that she will find a safe place for her kids that cost only $2.50 an hour.

On the other hand, if there is something else going on with the family or the in-laws family then you should step up and help out at no charge. When my daughter was younger I paid my aunt hourly to babysit my daughter at a similar rate. She made a point to reduce the hours when I was doing something for the family such as picking up a visiting relative at the airport and things like that.

Babysitting for a relative for an evening is one thing and you have clearly shown a willingness to help her in those situations. Taking that responsibility on for a week, even if it is only during normal working hours, is an entirely different issue especially given the ages of the children. The 2 and 5 year olds near pretty much constant attention.

Answer 3

No you are not wrong to charge for babysitting for 3 kids. If she had them in regular daycare or a license babysitter they would charge more than that amount. Some daycenter make you pay even if you don't bring your kids for a day. That is there means of support.Your sister can probably get help from the state (depends on where you live). They do provide a childcare check for the person that is doing the babysitting but the mother must be in school or either working.If you were just doing it on your own that's another story.Do she provide foods or snacks for them while they are in your possesion? Is the smallest child potty train? So basically speaking, can she afford to pay you? Business is business.Some people take advantage of family just for free service and family members are the one who will hurt you the most.

Answer 4

Well, first your comments are good because you give a lot of information to work with.

As for the 10-year-old. Why do they need full time care? Are they immature? If they are "difficult" to deal with, $2.50 an hour is not enough! If not, I would still lean toward asking for $100 per week, because of your profession. However, your sister making statements that she would not charge for babysitting your future children is uncalled for leverage against you. She does not have a degree in childrens aid, you do. Professionally you can,or cannot ask for money to take care of children. It is your choice.

If she decides to keep her child, or children away because of something small as $100 per week, then that would be a shame. This will separate the two of you in many bad ways. And PS, if you have children someday, do not expect her to be there for you.

People forget what you have done for them when your help is free.

Sorry but there is no answer here where everyone will be happy.

Answer 5

I have a sister who was in the same situation except it was with a cousin whose child she had been sitting for months all day long until she went to her part time job at a retail store in the evening it was suppose to be a temp thing and it turnd permenant fast without pay ever not even a 20 here and there..............she was exsausted every day..........the parents of the child both work and have great jobs and my sister is a single mom......the issue was finally resolved only after we told them that she couldnt babysit anymore since she was changing her hours at work to get paid more then I guess it clicked with them either pay her a little or pay the daycare and someone we dont trust alot.........she is getting paid every two weeks in addition to her pay from her part time job she feels appreicated and things are fine now ...............I am her sister and although i dont have any children I would most definately never do that to my sister I dont think its wrong at all for you to charge her.........we all have bills to pay and babysitting takes time and energy just like her job does but sometimes its really hard for them to realize that........if its just an occasional ...babysitter when she goes out or has an appointment no i wouldnt charge but for a regular extended period of time most definately .....your sister should be more considerate of your feelings, time and energy.................stick to your guns she shouldnt look at this as a free bee........dont let her do that to you if you let it happen once it will continue until your just so fed up not with the children but being tired and feeling unappreciated........that everyday that will cross your mind.........take care hope all works out for the best............

Answer 6

No. It's not wrong because your a professional and should get paid for your service. You are helping your sister by only charging a "small" fee to watch the kids. Yes, you are an auntie and her sister, but during business hours you are a childcare professional. My aunt was my daughter's childcare provider and I was happy to pay her every week. Just tell your sister, this is not a free service...she's not going to work for free right? Make sure you spend quality time doing the auntie thing aside your profession.
Hope this Helps. Take Care!

Answer 7

Clearly your sister doesn't know the value of her children. You are NOT wrong in thinking that. It would cost her more to find anyone else for regular prices, which at this day in age is around 6 dollars an hour. You are giving her a deal. Not only that, but who is paying to feed the children? You are. (or at least I think so) So she should have to pay, because it's your time and money being taken from you.

You shouldn't feel bad at all. Offer the 100 again, and it's her problem if she doesn't accept.

Answer 8

She won't babysit your kids all day cause she will be at work. It will be hard for her to find a daycare for a 100 dollars a week most go for 150 or more. She should pay you. But, I don't know I would probally charge my sister less but I don't think you are wrong. If she went to SRS she could get them to pay you and then she wouldn't be losing any money and would have a babysitter she could trust.

Answer 9

I think you are completely in the right in asking for $100 per week. That's a great rate. Tell her you were giving her the family discount. I was a nanny all through college and was paid $175 per week for 3 days! She is so lucky. I recently left me job to be a stay at home mom with our two boys. Before I left, we were paying $250 per week for 3 days. And by the time you have kids hers will be self sufficient. She won't want to watch yours. Or she'll be sending your 10 year old niece over and guilting you into paying her to watch your kids! Stay strong. She'll get over it!!

Answer 10

Don't do anything, stand your ground she is being very unreasonable for expecting you rto do it for free yes you may be their aunt but she is their mother so it's her duty to look after them don't get caught with the saying that she will look after your kids when you decide to have them because my sisters said that to me & now i have kids & hers are grown up it's too much of a hassle for her to watch my kids every now & then even though I used to babysit her kids when they were young.my kids are aged 9 & 10 now & she has had them stay over at her place about 4 times in their life.tell her to put them in childcare like most other working parents have to & then she may well realise that it would have been cheaper to pay you & better for the children in the long run.so don't despair she'll get over it
goodluck with it all

Answer 11

I can see where both of you are coming from....she may have said it more bluntly, though...Can she afford the $100? If so, I don't see what the problem is, but if it will be strapping her for cash, be sisterly and do it, then mention discreetly that you just babysat a young kid and you got paid so much for it. If she doesn't thank you from the bottom of her heart for babysitting without pay, they don't ever do it again. That means she doesn't even appreciate what you have been doing for her.