A babysitter's question......?

Question

I'm a babysitter, babysit 3 or 4 days a week and 12 hours per day.
I charge only $1 per kid per hour. (There are reasons to charge low)
4 y-o boy and 3 y-o and 16 month baby girl. So it's $33 a day:
Things I do are :
1.cook breakfast
2. cook lunch (And watch their diet)
3.change dipers (include the 3-y-o girl, she has potty problem)
4. hand wash dishes (they don't have dish-washer)
5. disipline them and stop them fight
6. pick up toys, keep house clean
7. teach them drawing (art) or play games
8. cartoon time
9. Bath them BF their parents home

My questions are:
(1) Do I try do too much according to my pay and hours...?
(2) If you were in my shoes, what would you do...?
(3) Can you stand 12 hours babysitting?
I just try to not to hate this job...(even it's just 2 month....)

Answer 1

You are doing EVERYTHING for these people. For what they pay you, you should just be watching the kids. They should clean up their own house and do their own laundry. Let them know that you don't think you are being paid enough to take care of these kids. I would expect to pay at least $5 an hour. These people are getting paid good money to stay all day at work, they can afford it. If not, I think you should politely tell them to find someone else.

Answer 2

I worked when my kids were little like that and I was charged $100 a week for three, but that was for 40 hours a week. Anything over 40 hours a week I was charged $150 for the week. I also had to provide breakfast, lunch and a snack each day. Now when I have a sitter come to my house to watch them for a night out with the hubby I pay around $8 to $10 dollars an hour, it has to be worth a teenagers while if they end up sitting on a friday or saturday nite, and I dont expect them to clean my house while Im gone just hang out and watch the kids!!!

Answer 3

It does sound like you do a lot. They are all brothers and sisters, right? At least you dont have to buy the food. But I would charge more like $5-8 a hour. I think it depends on how old you are. I wouldnt pay a 12 yr old $50 a day for 12 hours. But I would pay a older person more. Then again I wouldnt leave my kids with a 12 yr old. Some parents will just not me. I hope you find a solution to make you happy. Talk to the parents. Try to change your pay. All the things you mentioned you do are necessary to care for a child.

Answer 4

You are a very cheap babysitter. I would charge more if you can. If the parents can pay you more and you really like the kids then stay with it. I would do alot of things to when I would babysit, as for the long hours, i could stand that. If anything make it $40-$50 a day.

Answer 5

1...yes you do too much for that pay. I'd charge at least $2 an hour per kid. That is still cheaper than the going rate. I watched 2 kids in my home and got $2 per hour for the first kid and then charged $1 more per hour for each additional kid. They brought their own breakfast and lunch. I didn't have to provide any food at all.
2.......I'd ask for a raise or find some other kids to watch
3.....12 hours is bit too long...........thank God it's only for 2 months but charge more!!

Answer 6

I would be charging 50 dollars a day at least for all that work you are doing way too much it doesnt matter how many kids there are 12 hours is a really long time. I would say anthing over 8 hours you will charge 5 dollars an hour.

Answer 7

I would charge a little more than what you do charge..... preparing meals, providing care (diapers), discipline while you care for them, playing and spending time with them, are all part of taking care and babysitting kids, the dishes, and bath are extra.....

If i were in your shoes, i would talk to them about perhaps a little more pay. What work you do for them you can use them as references in the future for any jobs you want. And as for twelve hours..... i am a nurse and spend 8-12 hours caring for people. (granted i get paid more, but thats besides the point lol). If its something you like, then do it.......

Answer 8

It sounds more like you're a nanny than anything, but I can sympathize. I did the same with a 5 month old, a 4 year old, and a 9 year old, and it was the all day thing :)

Buuut...

1) Yes, you should get WAY more than that!
2) What I needed to do, if it didn't interfere with my school work
3) Yeah, been there :)

Answer 9

You are doing way to much for that pay. Children working in sweat shops make more. If i were in your shoes I would sit down with the parents and let them know if they want you to continue with all the things you do for them and the children you will need a pay raise. Plus the children are fairly young and require alot of supervision. I love babysitting but if you don't make it worth your while it grows old. Quite under comensating yourself.

Answer 10

I wouldn't do half the stuff you are doing. Some of it you have to because it is necessary but for that little of pay I would only be feeding them changing their diapers and keeping them from fighting. Although if you like doing everything else than by all means go right on ahead do what feels right for you.