How much to pay for babysitter?

Question

I have asked my sister to watch my daughter while my husband and I are at work and he would pick her up around 9:30am. He works from 6am-9am. I work a full 8 hours so I would be dropping her off around 7am. I told her that I would pay her $25 a week. Do you think that is sufficient enough or should I pay her more?

Answer 1

Have you asked your sister what she feels is a fair price?
I would say if she is okay with it okay, but if she babysits outside of those hours compensate her more. Also maybe throw in a bonus every now and then weather it be cash or a gift card for coffee or the movies (do it randomly so she doesn't know when to expect it and it will make her feel valued and special). Whatever you don't take advantage of her or take her for granted, that would be a quick way to lose her...

Hope this helps

Have a GREAT day!

Answer 2

Most babysitters ask for at least $7 an hour, and more if there are more kids. Example, $7 for one kid, $8 for 2, $9 for 3, etc. At the same time, it's not like she's putting your daughter to bed, she's probably just feeding her breakfast, maybe helping with homework, or keeping an eye on her while she watches the disney channel. Yes, she is your sister, but it's not as if she offered to watch her neice, you asked. Pay her as you'd pay anyone else. If you pay her $7 an hour, and your daughter is with her 2 1/2 hours a day for 5 days a week, that's $87.50 a week. Ask her what she thinks is reasonable, and be willing to pay it.

Answer 3

I think anyone here suggesting more is off their rocker. First of all, it's your sister, who would probably do it for nothing, right? Second, it's only 2 1/2 hours a day! I think that amount is fine. I pay my full time sitter $100 a wk. ($20 a day) to watch my daughter at her house. She's 2 now, and has been going to the sitter's since she was 9 months. Did you ask your sister what she would like to be paid, before you offered an amount? If you agree on $25 I think that is fine.

Answer 4

Noooo way she is your sister, she should be plenty happy with 25$ a week. Besides that shes hardly going to be over there. I would offer her 25 a week and if she says yes then stick with that. And let her know that if she watches your daughter over the 9:30 mark you will pay her extra. Your family keep it that way

I live in North Dakota, up here the cost of Daycare runs about $2.50 an hour per kid and 2.75 an hour per infant (under 2)

Answer 5

It is because of the short term commitment. You'll find the same thing is true of those short-term babysitting places at some strip malls. They charge a lot, but only use them a few hours vs. all day every day. Keep in mind that the government looks at it differently as well. Daycare (caring for child so that parent can go to work or attend school) is taxed, while babysitting is not. My suggestion is to find out what the going rate is for the age group you plan to care for. Eventually, poster Leann will be found out when a parent attempts to get the child care credit. A tax audit is not a pleasant thing.

Answer 6

So the care would be from 7am to 9:30am correct? I would say that you need to pay her about $40 a week especially if she is under 3 years of age as they require closer supervision and more care.

Answer 7

You need to ask your sister what she thinks would be best. The going rate around here is $10/hr for hourly pay or $20 a day. I babysit in my home & get $20 a day. THe child I keep is not full time though, I get her 2-3 days a week. Just ask her what she would think is best.

Answer 8

Not really. That's only about $2.50 an hour. I'd think about $40-$50 a week would be better.

Answer 9

10 an hour

Answer 10

If my sister asked me to babysit my nephew (2yrs old), I would never accept payment. If you 'need' to pay her, I think that your $25/week offer should be acceptable.