Is this a bad babysitting job???

Question

Recently I started babysitting for a family friend. It is a pretty good job,nice kids,good house,but she has not payed me my full pay. I feel this lacks respect,and she thinks she can use me. I am mature,structured,have experience,and love those kids,and will take the best possible care of any child. But if I may put it bluntly,the pay sucks. 3 $ an hour. And she seems to think she
doesn't need to pay me for the halfhour,which is rediculous,I dont let them run in the road,for that half hour,I watch them. So should I raise my pay,and make sure she pays me? She has a reputation for using everybody,and I dont know what to do.

I am watching three kids,for my pay. From various ages between 4 and 9 years of age.

She is financially stable (alot),and goes out to have fun.

Answer 1

Okay...the last I heard about what to pay a babysitter was $3/child per hour. So if there are 3 kids you should be getting $9/hour. However, that was probably 1-2 years ago I heard that, so of course price goes up. It's probably $4/child now or something.

Let this person know that although you love the kids and enjoy watching them, that you babysit to earn money for yourself. Let her know that you sacrifice time to be social with friends and spend with family to do this job for her and you would appreciate it if she would compensate you for your time accordingly. And if she still doesn't pay you, tell her you cannot lend her your services any longer.

Good luck! --I disliked babysitting other people's kids. ;)

Answer 2

Tel her you love her kids and you like caring for them but you also respect yourself and that your rate has gone up. Tell her that your rate is $5 (or more) an hour plus of she is more than 10 minutes late you charge for the next half hour.

Tell her you want this to be more professional and write up an agreement. That way you can have a friendship but you also have a separate business relationship.

Then you will not feel used by the friendship or guilty for not sitting for her kids. The woman then makes the decision.

I don't care how broke she is, if she can't pay at least $5 an hour to have her kids watched, she should not be having the kids. Especially if you are watching the kids while she is out having fun. If she is at work, she should understand how you feel, I am sure she gets paid if she has to work a 1/2 hour longer.

If you do still work for her, write up a bill for every day so she knows what you expect to get paid.

Answer 3

The bad part is that she is a family friend. You should never offer your services to a friend for pay. Someone always ends up on the wrong end of the deal. This time, it is you. You use the term "kids" more than once. That indicates there is more than one child. Anoyone getting $3/hour for babysitting one child is giving herself away - and more than one child, my word! She wouldn't be able to get that kind of rate anywhere else in the country. Bring to her attention that you are ready to help her, but you need the money and every hlaf-hour and 15-minute interval as well as every 5-minute interval counts into the total calculation of your per-hour rate. And yes, you should be getting twice that rate for two children. It should be a per child rate. If it were me, I would tell her future babysitting for her is on a per child rate on an hourly basis. If she doesn't want you to babysit any more, I would love to know where she would get a better deal. Challenge her to do so.

Answer 4

From the information you presented, it does sound like this person is being unfair to you.

You have a few choices.
1.) If you like the job overall, put up with it. Recognize that this person will continue to underpay you.

2.) Discuss the payment terms with the person. Since you are not being paid for partial hours, ask for more per hour to compensate. You may probably not get what you want, but it may be worth a try.

3.) Tell the person the terms under which you will continue to work for her. I would recommend that you ask for more money or a better accounting for your time, or both. Be prepared to lose the job if she refuses.
If you are truly a good babysitter, you should be able to find other jobs.

Good luck with this difficult situation.

Answer 5

Uh- you need to talk to her and tell her exactly what you said about that 1/2 hour on answers. 3 bucks! My sister used to babysit 20 years ago for 6 bucks an hour, and when I hire a sitter for the night for my 2 girls: 3 and 6, I expect to pay at least 50 bucks for the 4 or 5 hours I might be gone!! Thats why we don't get out too much!! You are being used and you need to end it.

Answer 6

Although it may be difficult (family friend), you may want to consider having a conversation about your feelings. Additionally, I have to say, this does not sound like something a true friend would do. Childcare in America today is expensive! At the very least, your friend should be paying the going rate or minimum wage. Afterall, your friend is enjoying the wonderful care she is receiving for her most precious little humans, her children. In summary, share your feelings with the person who can, and should change the situation. What do you have to lose? Any employer would welcome a dediciated, caring employee like you and reward you with at least minimum wage and even more importantly, the respect you deserve! Under the circumstances, if you resign, your family will understand.

Answer 7

Don't babysit past the first week until you are paid in full. You should be the one setting the rates. $3 an hour isn't enough for even two kids. In our area, it's $5 for one, and $2 for each extra child.

Just tell her, "I can't babysit any more until I'm paid in full." After this week, my rate is $5 (or whatever) per hour. Don't give her reasons why--people just use them to argue more. If she asks why, just keep saying "Because I can't babysit any more until I'm paid in full."

Answer 8

i believe if you are getting used you should always do something about it. you deserve much more than $3 an hour i think you should raise your price to at lease $5 an hour and if your boss refuses to pay than quit.

Answer 9

You should never work for someone who doesnt pay you. And yes you should raise your pay. You are entitled to be compensated fairly for you time. If she doesnt come around then you should let her know that you will not work for her again.

Answer 10

That pays a joke! Get it sorted or she'll keep playing you.