how much would you pay a babysitter?

Babysitting Rates

how much would you pay a babysitter?

babysitter4ever 11-14-2007, 10:56 AM

i babysit for a family that has 3 kids (ages 2, 3, and 6). i watch them from 1-5 nights a week. and though they are stubborn and difficult at times i love these kids for than life itself. but i tend to not stick up for myself, if she asked me if i would watch the kids all week for free, i would. but she would never do that. they aren't the richest family in the world, but i can't help but feel cheated when i watch all 3 kids one weekend (17 hrs.), and get paid $65.monday night i didn't necessary babysit, but i helped her watch the kids and clean house, from 4-8:30, and got $25. last night i'm watched them from 4-11 (and on past nights for these times, i usually get $20-25), on thursday, i'm watching them from 3:30 PM - 9:30 PM (usual $20). and friday night from 3:30 - 9:30, spend the night, and sat. 6 AM- 6PM (usually $60). how much would you pay a 16 yo if these were your kids?

i feel bad asking for more money when they don't have much, and i won't stop watching the kids just because i feel like this, because (1) i'd miss them (2) it's my only source of income and i really need the money. beggars can't be choosers. so i'm not asking for advice on how to get paid more, i just wanted to know how much YOU would pay. oh yeah, after the kids are in bed, i wash the dishes and pick up the bedrooms, just to make the place look better. and she appreciates it, she says. but yeah, how much would you pay? thanks.

Re: how much would you pay a babysitter?

paigy16 11-20-2007, 3:26 PM
I think u are getting payed enough almost past enough if u need mony then get another job because they are paying u a lot

blondie

Re: how much would you pay a babysitter?

babysitterlaura 11-20-2007, 4:49 PM
I think you are getting underpaid. I would probablys say you should be payed $7-10 and hour. However, I live in a high paying area. It really does depend on where you live. But watching kids for 7 hours and getting only $20-25 is very very low. However, you made it sound like this is what they can afford to pay you. You said: "i feel bad asking for more money when they don't have much" so I assume that this a rate they can afford to pay. If a family seems like they can't afford to pay you as much as you would normally get then I suggest just going with what they can afford. I babysatt a little boy who had a single mom, who worked at a local drugstore. When school was not in session she needed a babysitter for him so she could go to work, so I would babysitt him for very little. So if you think that this is the rate that the family can afford than i wouldn't say you are getting underpaid. However, if it is a wealthier family, then yes, you are underpaid.
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Re: how much would you pay a babysitter?

Chosen7Stone 11-23-2007, 2:33 PM

paigy16 wrote:
I think u are getting payed enough almost past enough if u need mony then get another job because they are paying u a lot

$3/hour for three kids is being paid a lot?

babysitter4ever, I think a 16yo watching three children should be paid $7/hour when they're awake and about $5/hour when they're asleep. However, let me caution you not to take the answers you receive on this thread and compare it to what you are receiving - if you have no intention of requesting a raise, or setting an hourly rate (as you should always do), be sure not to allow the pay difference seen here make you resentful of the pay you receive with this family. If they're financially strapped, as you say, then take joy in the fact that you are able to provide quality assistance to a family who needs you.

*Love in Christ from Mary*
1 Peter 2:4-5

Vote my agency, Seminole Sitters, the "Best Overall Business" in Tallahassee for the 2007 Tally Awards at EverythingTallahassee.com!!!

Re: how much would you pay a babysitter?

ggfan 12-09-2007, 12:14 PM
I agree with Chosen....I live in a suburban area outside of D.C. and for 3 kids the family pays me $9-10/hr. The $3/hr is not a fair rate unless they are financially incapable of paying more and you are doing it as a good deed.

Re: how much would you pay a babysitter?

emmer_1995 12-10-2007, 1:46 PM
well i babysit my2 baby cuzes for about 6-9 hours while there parents are out shopping or eating im just giving them some alone time because they have stress isuses and they work all week so my g-ma babysits i only get 15 dollors and they have vary bad money issues to and i need money to but i dont ask becuase i dont think i realy should get paid for somthing i love to do if all i tell not to gve me so much