should I charge for a lunch when I babysit?

Question

Some children bring their own lunces. While other children do not. We are on a fixed income.

Answer 1

I saw this question a few hours ago, passed on it, did cleaning, fed my baby girl, and couldn't stop thinking about it. I think you should talk to the parents that don't have their childrens lunch made. It may be that they assume it is included in what you charge and that just makes it easier for them, if that is the case then they probably wouldn't mind paying a little extra for lunch if you talked to them and let them know that it is costing you and you can't really afford the expense. If though, someone can't afford it, I would never refuse to feed the child. That is what I kept thinking of, what if a parent didn't pay, would you not feed the child? I bet you would, just because it would take a pretty heartless person to punish a child because it's parents don't pay. Just be prepared to feed a child whether you get paid for it or not, the children all need to be happy and healthy, but try to talk to the parents and get some sort of understanding about the lunch situation and cost. Hope everything works out.

Answer 2

Do you pay your florist for the rubber gloves she has to use to keep her eczema from flaring up? Well, inadvertently you do. It's a cost of doing business, and any business owner will tell you that your profits (or "cashflow") are only tallied after overhead expenses. In other words, you're charged a little more for that bouquet to cover the cost of those darn gloves. Now the flower lady doesn't have to tell you this - you choose to go there. But as a freelancer, contractor, or individual business owner like yourself, these sorts of problems should be sorted out in the initial terms of your contracted employment. Maybe, like the florist, you charge a little more hourly but it covers any and all expenses that may occur (minus that irreplaceable heirloom vase - that was Junior's fault!). Now if you feel like your terms are in need of an updating, any good client should have no problem revisiting the conversation of cost-of-services.

On a lighter note, no. You shouldn't have to pay for their food as a babysitter. Now, as a caretaker (i.e. Preschool, Daycare, etc.) you most likely would, but again the parents would know that before they signed their children up. The easiest thing to do would be just telling the parents, I'm sure they're not going to let Junior starve!

- J.

Answer 3

I would tell the parents to make sure they pack a lunch for the kids before bringing them over. And maybe do a special day once a month where you will feed the kids, order in some $5 pizza's or something.

Answer 4

Babysitting should include lunch and a snack for every child whether he or she has brought food or not. The babysitting fee always includes this and the parents should be made aware of this fact before you begin taking care of their little ones so that there will be no misunderstanding at a later time.

Answer 5

I think it is fair to have two separate pay schedules. One that is for bringing their own lunch and one where you provide lunch. If you do charge differently, my recommendation would be to make up a monthly calendar of foods that you will be providing for those children and give it to the parents. Psychologically speaking, it makes it seem like they (the parents) are getting "more bang for their buck" , if you will.

mb

Answer 6

I would include the cost of lunch in your price regardless of whether the child actually eats lunch. That way, you don't have to worry about whether the child forgot his lunch. If a child wants to bring his/her own lunch so that they have certain foods that's fine.

Of course, this assumes that this won't cause you to lose business. It may be a practice you need to phase in, and only require of new clients.

Answer 7

The easiest way would be to add an additional couple of dollars to each child's fee per day & make lunch for all the kids. That way you don't have arguing over who wants the homemade meal & who wants the Lunchables they brought w/them.

Answer 8

I would tell the people to pack a lunch for their children, or if they prefer, you could serve lunch for $____ (whatever you would charge). I think that's more than fair.

Answer 9

You should tell the parents and give them the option of the child bringing their lunch or paying you for it. It's not your place to feed them AND keep them.

Answer 10

Depends on how many kids you babysit. My neighbor babysits, she has basically a home daycare, and she charges for food, she adds it in the weekly fee she charges.