Tonight hubby and I will be going out for a couple of hours. His two female cousins (one 18, the other 20) will be staying at the house. The girls ( 14 months) will both be asleep by the time the girls will get there. My twins sleep through the night, so the cousins shouldn't even have to go upstairs. What should I pay them?! I got all their favorite snacks/sodas, etc. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
2007-01-26 08:58:37 · 5 answers · asked by duckygrl21 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Did your cousins' in law just offered to baby sit without you suggesting to compensate them?
It depends on what your spouse's cousins are into. Don't give them any money unless you ask them "So how do you want me to repay you guys?"
Maybe they'll suggest something other than money. Maybe they're just returning a favor for you, so they're doing it pro-bono or because you're family, they don't want anything.
Maybe having their favorite snacks/sodas are enough for them.
Maybe you can get them a gift certificate so they can shop on eBay.
Maybe a gift card to their favorite store or restaurant, etc...
But if your cousins are unemployed, maybe it's best to compensate them with money.
In my family, our relatives just offer to babysit without being paid. Usually the elder relatives who are retired like grandpa and grandma just babysit the kids. If its younger relatives babysitting the kids, they don't want anything. When we offer to pay for their time, they refuse. Sometimes they get compensated with tasty dishes or desserts. If the relatives are unemployed and they babysit, we give them money.
It's just like that because we are filipino culture.
2007-01-26 09:24:11 · answer #1 · answered by choosinghappiness 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would stick to a price that is around the minimum wage in your area, per sitter. In my area min wage is $6.75, so I would pay each girl around $7.00 per hour, but again, this is in my area.
The thing is, they are only 18 and 20, so chances are they are working their way through school or something like that. This means that they are working for you, even though it may be an easy job (since the kids will be sleeping). So I would definitely come up with an agreed upon price.
2007-01-26 18:30:37 · answer #2 · answered by *Logan's Mommy* 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In our family, family sits for free. But we offer some compensation and usually it's refused. I would offer to pay $5.00 an hour for two kids. But not $5.00 each, they can split it. If they are no hassle, $5 should be fine. HAVE FUN!
2007-01-26 18:25:16 · answer #3 · answered by violamom74 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would do $5 per hr / per cousin. So if you are gone 4 hrs, that would be $20 each. Or agree on a price before you go.
2007-01-26 17:21:30 · answer #4 · answered by GP 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No, you shouldnt pay them. I watch my brothers and sissters for free. So your family should sit for free. Plus they dont even have to do anything, just sit and wath tv, right??
2007-01-26 19:28:24 · answer #5 · answered by Juno ツ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋