babysitting pay?

Question

I've just started babysitting for a couple of weeks, and now some of my moms close friends ask me every once in a while to babysit their kids. So the other night i babysat 7, 9, and 11 year old girls. Now they were cute, but were very annoying and gave me a hard time with just about everything. When the parents got home they paid me $20 for having babysat their 3 girls for 4 hours. I though that $5 per hour was a but low for how much work i did, i even cleaned up their house a bit even though some of the mess was already there when i arrived. I just didn't know how to tell them that i was expecting some more money, so i didn't argue with them. but i really need help at how i should have told them that $20 just wasn't enough. please help

Answer 1

Frankly, I think you should have gotten wayyyy more money than $5.00 an hour. I have one child (8) who is sooo easy and fun and loves to play by himself and I still pay $7.00 an hour at least. As a Mom, I can tell you how important my sitter is to me and how much trust I place in her. That's what you need to tell these other moms...you take your job and their children seriously, you want to do a good job and be reliable but $5.00 an hour is not enough. If other moms call you for services, let them know what your 'rate' is, it should be based on how many kids and if you need to cook or clean for them. Good luck and I hope you get paid what you are worth!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

You're solving the problem too late - when they asked you, you merely needed to tell them that your rate was $10 / hour, and they could have decided at that time if this was acceptable. BTW, I pay my sitter $7 / hour to watch my 2 kids, who are younger than that and in bed by 9, and a friend of mine's daughter makes $10 / $12 / hour.

So next time, you set the rate - don't worry, if you're good they'll pay it.

Answer 3

Well I charge around $8 to $10. Depending on the family. If they have 1 to 2 kids I charge about 8. If more then 3 I charge about $10. $5 dollars is low. Maybe next time you can say I charge $....

Answer 4

How the kids behave is not part of the pay plan. If you want more, ask for it. Do'nt be surprised if they dont' ask you back. Usually, I pay $1 per kid per hour. So for me that would have been only $12. ...perhaps you got paid well and wanted to punish the parents for the problems with the kids?

Perhaps next time (if there is a next time) you ask the parents to make sure that the kids understand that you are there to babysit and not to be their 'target' for pranks, problems and attitude. Once the law is laid down, then you (and they) can have a better evening.

Answer 5

I would say that the rate in which you received payment needs a little more info. Did you babysit at their house? Did you eat their food? If you babysat at their house and ate their food then i think you received plenty.If you did neither, then you deserve more. Make up a flier with your rates and everything and hand it out when you show up to babysit.

Answer 6

You should set your rate at like $6/hr and tell them your expectations before you start the night. You might want to specify how much per child per hour if you really want to get into the details.

Answer 7

ask around and find out what the going rate for babysitting is in your area, then come up with your own rates (hourly and by age and number of kids) then the next time you're asked to babysit, tell them up front what the price will be.

Answer 8

Always, always, tell people what your rate is BEFORE you accept the job. Then they will not be surprised & you will not be embarrassed.