How much should you pay a good friend to babysit your child?

Question

I have a 2 year old, and she has always been babysat by family, never friends. I have good friends who would be willing to help me out from time to time if need be, but I'm not sure how much is an appropriate amount to pay them? Should it be per hour? Or just a flat fee for the day? I would only utilize their help for 2-6 hours at most. Also, do you pay more if they have kids of their own to watch because that just means a lot more work on their part?

I have never paid my family members to watch her as they had always offered to do it for free, so I don't have a point of reference. I'd appreciate to hear what other people think is reasonable!

Answer 1

When my sister and good friend would babysit for me, they would never accept money.

So, I started getting them gift certificates.

If they babysat because we went out to eat, I would get them a certificate to that place.

Or if we went somewhere that gifts were sold, I'd pick them up a small gift.

Can't go wrong with gift certificates - I usually would get one for $20 or $25.

It's not expensive, and they're wililng to take it and very grateful.

Answer 2

It all depends on your friend and your relationship with your friend. My friends and I watch each other's kids for free. My daughter is getting older and usually she just goes and plays with my friend's kids. I also watch their kids for free. However a few years ago I would watch my friend's two kids 2 - 4 times a week in the evenings while she went to school. She paid me $20 a night. I also watched a child after school for about an hour for 4 months and charged only $20 a week.

I would ask your friend how much she wants you to pay. She may tell you not to worry about it or she will give you a price. If you don't feel comfortable doing that then offer between $10 and $20 for a few hours and see what she says.

Answer 3

I have always paid friends $20 per time, no matter if it is 2 hours of 5. If it is an all day thing, I will at least double that. My daycare provider charges $20 a day over 4 hours. I kind of base it on that, but friends are different. You may want to discuss it with them. If they have their own kids (especially older), your child will not be much of a burden, as the other kids usually take notice and help out quite a bit. You can also offer a co-op and offer to sit for their kids in exchange for watching yours. I do that too!

Answer 4

Babysitting rates-usually paid by the hour-depend on a variety of factors, from where you live, to the ages and temperaments of your children. The type of sitter you hire also can be an important aspect in determining the amount you should pay. Adolescents who are just starting out will probably receive less than older, more experienced teens or adults. Babysitters with special qualifications or training might also receive higher rates. Some babysitters charge an extra dollar or two per hour for each child, over and above their base rate for one child.

Hourly ranges of pay for babysitters quoted in current sources run anywhere from $5.00 to $15.00. The best way to determine the going rate in your neighborhood is to ask around. Talk to other parents in your community about what they have paid. Babysitters often set their own rates and will communicate this to you when you talk to them about a potential job.

Answer 5

I have a good friend that babysits for me...I have a 4 year old and a 3 week old. She has a nine year old, five year old, and 7 month old. She never charges me for babysitting because I babysit for her in exchange. It's nice to have other friends with kids because we never pay for sitters, we just return the favor. After all, what are friends for?
Just ask her if she would like to be paid or not, or if you could just return the favor for her sometime. I know discussing how much you are going to pay someone can be uncomfortable, but if you are good friends, it shouldn't be an issue.

Answer 6

If it is just one day then you would pay by hour. If it is 3 or more days per week I would pay by week, but it may still be easier to do it by hour to make sure that you are fair. Also, pay them a VERY fair amount, more than the average because they are doing you a favor and you don't want it to be spread that you are a cheapskate. How old is (are) the child(ren). This is a starting point. 0-1 :12/hour, 1-4: 11/hour, 4-8: 10/hour, and 9 and up liike 9/hour. You pay more per hour depending on what is needed. Obviously a newborn is going to need the care-taker to do more for him/her than a ten-year-old.

Answer 7

Never pay a friend-its insulting!! Instead a good bottle of wine and some chocs should do the trick, after all what are friends for. Dont over step the mark though and become to reliant, if this is the case then a babysitting circle is probably more appropriate.

Answer 8

I think it depends why your friend is babysitting. If you need to go run errands or something of that nature, a good friend wouldn't want to take your money but if the friend is watching your child so you can work,you should sit down with her and decide on an amount together.Maybe a percentage of what you are making.Sometimes,once you figure out what you are paying for babysitting and transportation and good work clothes,you'll find it is more cost effective to stay home.

Answer 9

Look at this way, would you accept payment from your friends if you kept one of their children? I would never ask for my friends to pay me. If I were you I would bring lunch & snacks or what ever else your child uses during the day. Diapers etc. Offer a dollar amount if that makes you feel better. I wouldn't be surpise if your friends say no way!! What's the going rate for the day $35.00 offer that see what happens. Remember they are your friends. They have kids too they will understand.

Answer 10

How good is the friend? How good is the kid? What's the market like in your area?

$5 per hour per kid gets most of the 12 year olds in my area to watch all 3 of my kids, but my sister can easily get $10 per kid per hour.

As far as watching kids, if they are similar ages (like within 3 years) it's almost as easy to watch 4 as it is to watch 2.