When babysitting should I ask to pay by the day, or the hour? How much should i ask for?

Question

I get $20 dollars a day now, I am not sure if I should ask for more or not.

I get $20 for a day(usually 6 or so hours) for 1 kid.

Answer 1

I would say it depends on how many kids you're watching. I normally let them ask how much I'd like and then say, "That's up to you." If they do ask, you can also say, "Well the last family I babysat for paid me this much..." If you feel that they're not paying you enough, then definitely speak up or just drop the job and look for another.

Answer 2

Child care is expensive, no doubt, but to answer this question a few things need to be considered. You didn't say how old you are, one would expect to pay an adult more than a child because you expect more from an adult. The girl is 8 years old, which means she doesn't require a great deal of "watching" or extra care as you would have with a small child. You said the mother used to pay $25/day, but is that something she could afford? If so, perhaps she would still be there. If you aren't happy with the current arrangements you should let her know because if you grow increasingly resentful it will show in the way you interact with the child and it isn't her fault. I would just let the mother know that you're happy to help her out if she needs you but your fees are $-- and leave the ball in her court. Another way to look at this is, since you have one child to care for, why not two, and earn twice the money while giving some other lucky parents a financial break.

Answer 3

hourly is better-20 bucks a day seems very small, usually 7 an hr before 9:00 o'clock, $1 extra per hr after 9:00, $1 extra per each additional child, i used to babysit for four kids and made 10 an hour and left with 70 bucks each time. (sell ur skills, ur worth more than 20 bucks)

Answer 4

You should pay by the hour.... and how old are you? and what area are you sitting in? If you are at least in college and it's a middle class to upper class neighborhood than at least 9-10 dollars an hour. It's the going rate these days.

Answer 5

How many hours are you working a day? It may benefit you to get paid by the hour and ask for minimum wage at least. It also depends on how many children you are babysitting. You also could ask for so much each week, such as $75 a week for one child; $100 a week for two children, etc.

Answer 6

$20 a day PER CHILD would still be too little, if you have to watch them from the time their parents leave to go to work, until supper time. This is more than likely almost 10 hours out of your day. And means they are only paying you $2 per hour.

It also depends on WHERE you are babysitting, and WHAT ELSE you may have to do besides babysit. If you are going to their home, it should be more money, because you are not able to just get on with you day, with the added complication of the child. And if they expect you to do light housekeeping and bathing and other stuff, it should cost them more. A housekeeper charges about $50 per day. If you are expected to do that job, you should be getting $50 plus an amount for looking after their child.

When I was babysitting, I always found the cheapest people were the most well-to-do ones...wanting the most services performed for the minimal amount of money.

And, as a way for you to judge the value of your services...I used to make $10 for watching two children for 5 hours in the evening while their parents went out to dinner and the ballet. I was 14 years old and that was 41 years ago.

Answer 7

Well it depends on how many children they have. I would ask for 10 dollars plus the number of children and times it by 3 for how bad their attitudes are. Thats what I do.