How much should I pay per hour my 13 year-old babysitter for taking care of my 3 1/2 year-old son?

Answer 1

Good child-care is hard to come by.
If you trust the sitter, and your son like her/him then consider that a valuable resource !!
Pay what you both agree is fair and round-up whenever you can.

Answer 2

I started babysitting when I was about 13 (I'm now 20.) When I started I got around minimum wage, about $5-6 an hour. The older I got the more people felt comfortable with my ability, therefore I got more money. The most I have ever made babysitting was $10 an hour. To answer your question I think you should start paying her about $6 an hour. There are special circumstances you should pay a little more, say you are out late or you run later than expected. In this case just add a couple dollars to the total amount you give her. You might want to discuss with her before hand what you expect of her, and how much you are willing to pay. Hope this helps! Take Care!

Here are some links if you need more help in deciding:

http://www.babysitters.com/howmuchtopay....

http://www.safesitter.org/parents/parent...

Answer 3

I started babysitting when I was 12 and got $5 an hour for watching an 8 year old girl. She is just starting to babysit, I wouldnt pay her more than $7 an hour, but it depends. Ask her what she usually charges, or ask friends who live in your area with a child the same age, they could give you a more reliable answer.

(PS I am 18 now and get different rates from different families..I babysit an 11 year old girl and a 9 year old girl for $7, a 4 year old girl and an 8 year old girl for $8, and a 5 year old boy for abou $12. Just depends on what you can afford. At age 13, there are no other jobs she can get, so she should be thankful for whatever she gets!)

Answer 4

Do you watch TV? I don't think its a good idea to have a 13 year old watch a 3 yr old. There are just too many things that could go wrong such as choking, electrical shock from outlet, falling down stairs, trying to give a bath and leaving the child in the bath tub unattended (drowning), I could go on and on. Give up the cash and get a more mature and responsible baby sitter, that way if something was to go wrong, you'll know you raised the standard when providing good child care for your child and you didn't settle for the cheap way out.....it is your child, and they are not replaceable. I charged between $90.00 & $100.00 per week when doing child care for 3 yr olds/ per day I charged 25.00 minimum at the door for 3 hours or less ( you have charge more to make your money on a customer who is just a "drop & shop") and $50.00 per "day" on the weekend/ club goers arriving at 6:00 pm the cost is $75.00 and child must be picked up by 2:00 am or 7:00 am which ever was agreed upon. Hey, you asked!

Answer 5

Something around minimum wage, with bonuses when appropriate, I think, as per the answer above me.

Though the idea that the job "is mostly playing" isn't quite on; babysitting asks for a lot of responsibility.

There's some stuff on teen-age sitter pay rates here:
http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/childcare/teensitters.html#howmuch

I can't remember what I got back when, but I do remember doing a better job when paid and treated well. Not with the kid, but with the parents. A good wage, and "help yourself to the fridge?" Swell; I'll do the dishes you left in the sink, too. Pennies per hour? Good luck getting me if I'm so much as in the middle of a good book, and don't expect a run-down of the evening; I'm in a hurry to take off, etc.

Answer 6

Depending upon whether you are in a big city or a rural center, the rate could vary from $ 8 to $ 12 per hour.

Answer 7

Don't you think a 13 y/o is TOO young to babysit? I wouldn't risk my kids' lives. Find an adult you can find trustworthy and reliable. Don't just rely on your feelings, ask for referrals. Better safe than sorry. It's YOUR son's life that you'll never be able to take back if anything happens out of negligence.

Answer 8

hey she is just a kid, yes she is doing work, but mostly with a 3 1/2 year old child she is mostly playing. Min. wage should be enough for the girl, maybe a bonus if she does extra good

Answer 9

depends on what she has to do, is she coooking too, and is he potty trained. (yes I know they should be by that age, 2 of my boys were and one was days before he turned 4)I paid my sitter $60 a week for about 4 hours so I could go to school. if you pay good, your sitter will be more reliable and willing to babysit even if they are busy. so depends on how much you will need her and how good she is

Answer 10

You can pay $8 per hour