My parents normally babysit if we have conflicting schedules and need them to (my husband doesn't know his schedule in advance, and I work part time in the evenings). But they're going away for a week so we've hired a family friend to look after our 2 year old daughter when I'm at work. The girl we've hired is 13 years old, and she is dependable, she has experience and is dependable and responsible. When I was babysitting (10-15 years ago!) the going rate was $3-$4 an hour. I'm only making $8/hour right now but I don't really think that's entirely relevant. I think child care is an important job though and it's only for a week. If I went by the increase in minimum wage in the past 15 years where we live, $4-$5 an hour would be reasonable. $5 an hour just doesn't sound like much to me. Any ideas?
2007-03-07 03:16:57 · 17 answers · asked by jen 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
You definitely can't go by what you used to make -- things have changed so much. It really depends on what the going rate is where you live. Ask your friends what they pay for their sitters. You probably won't pay as much because she's 13 and doesn't have as much experience as other sitters. But it will give you an idea. Where I live, the going rate is from $9-$14, but your area might be different. Definitely ask around. You may also want to check with the 13 year old. Does she have an established rate?
2007-03-07 03:21:17 · answer #1 · answered by Liza 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because of her age and the fact that she's going to be babysitting for the week calculate a flat rate for the entire week rather than per day. Use $4 as a guide but you can either increase the total or decrease it depending on what you can afford and what seems right.
You should also discuss it with her parents ahead of time and ask them if the amount you're thinking about giving her seems OK, they'll know based on her other babysitting jobs.
We pay ours $6 but she's 16 and we have 2 kids.
2007-03-07 14:10:58 · answer #2 · answered by scorpio 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are paying taxes on your $8/hour, and her $5 will be under the table. I wouold say $5 per hour seems fair to a 13 year old. If she were 15 or 16, she might think 6 or 7/hr is appropriate (because at that point her parents will probably not be buying all of her clothes for her anymore and such).
I would go for $5/hr, $6 if you are feeling generous.
2007-03-07 11:21:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to charge 2-3 dollars per child, per hour. I had a regular babysitting job for 2 years, my rates never went up, and I never complained. Most of the people I would sit for, would print out a list and leave it in a central location in the house. It had important numbers (where they could be reached, relatives, doctors..etc..), and also a list of allergies, foods they perfer the child eat and a few rules of the household (bedtimes, naptimes, please do/don't). Make sure she dosen't have any questions before you leave the house. If she has experience, she probably won't need much direction with activites.
2007-03-07 12:30:19 · answer #4 · answered by insomniacprincess2002 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a 2 year old myself but can't see giving a 13 year old $200.00 for a week (based on an 8 hour day) of watching my child while I'm at work. Why isn't this girl in school? For whatever reason I think $150.00 is more than enough for the week. Child care is the number 1 priority however I don't think you should have to come home to your house a wreck. It's not her job to clean your house but it's also not her job to leave it a wreck. You should expect your child to be cared for, clean, fed, bathed, and picked up after. Good Luck!
2007-03-07 11:24:49 · answer #5 · answered by cannonkd 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Is your daughter going to be asleep while the sitter is there or will the sitter have to feed and put your daughter to sleep. Either way, personally I think that $5 is not enough. This is your baby, think about that. I have been in teh same situation, my mom usually watches my daughter but I have had to hire a sitter one time and paid her $10 an hour, but that is the rate for where I live.
2007-03-07 11:22:54 · answer #6 · answered by hotmama0603 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if your making 8 dollars an hour can you really afford to only bring home 3or 4 the babysitter would be making more than you. 13 yr olds are just happy for money I say 10 dollars a day should be ok . i have three kids and thats about what i pay for three hours to my 13 yr old neice. (but my 2 yr olds in bed and my other daughters are 10 8.but thats family and it is toledo
2007-03-07 13:57:10 · answer #7 · answered by AMBER 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to also factor in how much your husband makes when determining what you can afford to pay the babysitter.
$5 an hour seems reasonable for a 13 year old.
Ask her how much she normally makes babysitting.
2007-03-07 11:19:56 · answer #8 · answered by Plasmapuppy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would give her 5.00 an hour and call her mom and find out what she likes to drink and snack on. Stock the fridge. At the end of the week buy her a special gift if she did a great job. Dont expect her to do much, that way she can keep her eye on him better.
Leave her a detailed list of phone numbers including emergency ones, and what you allow the baby to eat and at what times....
2007-03-07 11:48:15 · answer #9 · answered by tammer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At thirteen when I babysat, I simply charged minimum wage which was 5.15 here. However since she is experienced, ask her what her rate normally is and work from there. Make sure you also ask about transportation as well if thats necessary. I had to pay my parents a dollar for them taking me and picking me up. If I was still babysitting, I would charge min. wage.
2007-03-07 11:25:05 · answer #10 · answered by :) 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋