How Much to Pay?

That's crazy!!! is it even worth it to be working that night? I mean really think about it how much are YOU making that night then how much are you paying her? I'd ask my boss to switch my schedual for that becuase it does not seem worth it. I used to charge $70 for a week's worth of child care for the 2 toddler's I watched and that included meals and diapers. medicine when sick I treated them As my own. that kid is robbing you. I don't think it's worth it to have her sit for you also she does not seem like a friend at all to be upset because you can't afford $70/night. If you can't afford it that means you can't afford it and a real friend would understand and say that's ok.

$70 is a lot. My licensed childcare provider has drop in rates for about $40/day all day from 7:30a-4:30p including meals (breakfast/lunch and snacks). She doesn't do evening care but I have come across a few that charge, as most have mentioned, between $7-10...some slightly under that. And evenings are somewhat easier because they will probably be asleep most of the time. You may want to fill her in on what the average rates are around...because you definitely could get care for a lot cheaper. Since she doesn't haven't kids she probably doesn't know that she is expecting way more that what it's worth and if she's a friend you shouldn't have to OVERpay what you could elsewere for a lot less. Good Luck! Merry Christmas.

I have been a babysitter for over 16 years, and back when I started i was making $6-8. That was years ago.

I say the average is $10/hr for decent care. I took on a few families in the past few years for $8 and $9/hr respectively; however those were on the low end because i really liked them. I think asking $12 is reasonable, and in a more expensive place (like NY - where I'm from) I think $15/hr is reasonable. Keep in mind I am a 28 year old woman. I think the service I provide is above and beyond what I was providing even 10 years ago. I play games, cook, lightly clean the house, and even teach a little. I don't plop the kid in front of the TV unless it is a part of a bedtime routine or something.

Yikes!! $70?? A night? That's rather steep. I used to pay $2.50 an hour. If you factor in 2 kids, it doesn't add up quite so high. You might try finding another babysitter with less of an amount!

I think it is way too much! I have a 2 year old and when people watch my daughter they know daycares aren't cheap. Maybe I'm just cheap, but I only pay $10-$20 a day depending on how many hours. You said you have a 7yrs old, so she's really only watching the baby which at that age is also low maintenance. I don't think you were wrong for asking for less, only for offering so much.

i think it is too much considering that it is at night and the kids will be sleeping most for most of the time she is there, or atleast the 7 year old will. i used to babysit long ago, and i've always known a babysitter to be paid minimum wage. i believe it should be hourly, not a flat rate, because if you come back early or late, she is still getting the same amount and it doesn't always add up. or you could check the average pay for a "assistant" childcare provider, and give her that wage. the reason i say assistant and not a lead teacher is because she is not certified, therefore she should not recieve the pay of a certified caregiver. if she cannot be understanding, maybe you should look for another babysitter. afterall, you are her boss when it comes to this and everyone knows, that the boss calls the shots.

$70 for a night of sitting is definitly extremly generous. It might be worth it if she cleaning your house and tutoring your 7 year old, but definitly too much just for watching your kids with her boyfriend for a few hours.

Hi S. The first questions is where are you located and what hours are you looking for care? Average babysitters are paid 10-12 a hour. Especially if they are college aged.

I depends on where you live. My Spokane, WA CERTIFIED in home daycare/preschool charged $30-$35.00 per day for a 10 hour day, per child -- that was only two years ago. I also pay my sitters depending on certain criteria: do they clean up after themselves, do they drive themselves, will my children be sleeping during the "sitter" hours (and thus, not needing supervision, just a caregiver presence). Do they interact with my children? Do they follow through with my other, average, 'rules' ie. bedtimes, eating schedule, etc. My kids are also old enough to report to me if the sitter was "chatting" or "texting" her friends during sitter hours, which is a huge no-no in my book for several reasons.

I would ask around your neighborhood or town about rates and then find a sitter that is happy to babysit with whatever rate YOU set.

Wow, you must live somewhere like NYC! AND have an awesome job where you make enough to make that worth your while!

I would never pay $70 for one night of child care, even if that person is spending the night because you work all night. Maybe that is me or my expectation. I have plenty of mom friends who I can swap hours with, where I watch their kids and they watch mine so we both can get out and do things. I just can't imagine spending that kind of money on a sitter.

You didn't say the hours she would be working, but in my area I could easily find someone who would do it for $5-6/hr. If she is truely a friend, she would not have balked at your request to lower the rate. I'd hope you could find someone else who'd love to watch your kids for less money.

FWIW, the day care provider I sometimes use (I am a SAHM in Oregon) charges $27 per DAY, that's 7am to 6pm! She runs a full preschool curriculum and provides all meals and snacks.

How many hours would she be watching the kids? I think if it's only a couple hours, $3 an hour per kid would do. If it's the whole night, $70 is too much! I wouldn't pay that..Then again it depends on where you live too.

But you say she's friend? If she's a real friend, she'd do it for free or wouldn't get angry when you asked if $50 was ok. Just my opinion...

Another thought, a 7 year old can pretty much (for the most part) take care of what they need. They just need supervision...but again, just my opinion. (and depends on the child of course) so $70 a night is too expensive in my opinion.

I'd look around and see if there are any others that would be willing to help you with the funds you're ABLE to pay.

R.

No S., you were not out of line at all. I even think $50 is a lot for one day a week, but back when I did daycare I only charged $75 for the whole week (big mistake!). Good luck to you; and if you know anyone about to have a baby, I'm open to doing infant care. I just miss having a baby around! I would only want to do it in my home and until the child starts to walk. I just loooove babies. Let me know how it all turns out!

V.

$50.00 is too much. A seven year old, although pretty busy, is pretty self sufficient in terms of potty and eating and playing by his/herself and the 4 month old is more than likely going to sleep, sleep, sleep. You say it's in the evening, so what is the most time she will spend with them 2 hours before bed time. Then what sit and watch tv, check on them every now and then. No hun, you should have offered 25.00 max. My daycare provider charges me 25.00 for a full day of hands on time with my 3 year old. What I'm trying to say, is don't feel bad that you came down in price.

wow that's great, can I be your sitter?

just kidding...

anyway, if your situation changed and you can't stick with the original deal then you should defintaley be honest with her about it
(honesty is never out of line) and if she no longer feels it's a fair amount or won't compromise than maybe you should look for another sitter..

I think $50 is perfectly reasonable, but I also understand the frustration of taking a pay cut; no one appreciates that but if you're friends you should be able to work it out

I think even 60 a night is alot .I am a day are provider and only charge 25 a day per kid and thats about 10 hrs a day .I would think 20 a child so 40 a night and that's if she is watching them more then 5 hrs a night .I mean I only get 100 bucks for 4 days of watching the little girl I watch and thats from 8am to 6pm .But the rates out here at 25 a day .Now night time hrs might be more but I never worked past 6:30pm.

Like everyone else is saying, you were not wrong to compromise on less. When I was sitting for my friend's daughter, which I drove 15miles each way 3 days a week from 7am to 5pm I was getting $50 a day! which I thougth was great! If that girl doesn't seem like she likes the new price, I'd consider a new sitter, better to have someone who is happy with their pay and takes great care of your kids, than someone who is shall we say disgruntled?! Good luck. A.

You need to charge $50, even $60 is WAY too much to charge for babysitting!!!!! It kinda seems like you're ripping yourself off!!!!!!

I agree with the rest of the comments from the girlies.. The most I have ever paid for my 8 year old is $5 per/hr. I currently pay $3 per/hr. I'm not sure where you are located but I'm pretty sure shopping around won't hurt!!! Good Luck!!

I think it would depend upon how many hours she will be watching the children. Its my understanding that the going rate for a babysitter is about $5.00 an hour, although it sounds like she is a littl older than your average 13 year old babysitter. If your children were in daycare, it certainly wouldn't cost you $60 a day. I have two kids in daycare and for a full day I pay $38.

hello Sarath,

well, if you can't paid her $70 which is a lot, offer her a free reading of tarot + $20 a night. that will do it. lol.
tell her on your tarot reading ... i can see here you are very expensive!!!
regards,
josie

ps. when my husband and i go out, we paid $20.

I'm a licened daycare provider here in Elk grove. $70 is more then my day rate for 10hours. When I offer a DATE NIGHT for my families I charge 30.00 and 25.00 for the sibling. So, $55.00 for the night with hours 7:00-12:00. Friends are not always the best to have watch your children. Unless you are up front and have things in writing. I found that friends may assume one thing and you the other.
C.

You should be getting what you pay for. The average childcare cost per day, aside from discounts, is $22 per day for each child. And that's for a day that starts at 7:30am and ends at 5:30 pm with federally supervised and funded prepared meals included.

Evening care and sick child care (believe it) should cost a little more. But something to weigh is that you are not hiring an educated professional child care provider who will facilitate learning activities and has a wealth (literally) of tools, toys, and equipment. You are hiring a baby sitter. So, weigh the "evening care" issue with the "baby sitter" issue.

I think that anywhere between $30-$50 per night would be fair. I would pay more if she was going to prepare dinner, evening snacks, and attentively participate with the kids the entire time. I would pay less if she's going to just be an adult presence while they entertain themselves or sleep.

Something else to think about are teenagers rather than a collage student. Some are so happy to just get out of the house, make a little bit of money, and they still play like kids. It seems like the younger teens will really enjoy playing with the kids, but the older ones hang out on the cell phones only to be interrupted by the kids. My judgement (may be wrong?).

My pastor shared a story about his family's teen babysitter. He asked her one night, "How much do we owe you?" She said, "Whatever you think I'm worth." He tipped her big time. And she was there baby sitter for a long time no matter how much they were able to pay or not pay. She just loved being with and playing with the kids (worth more than gold) and she loved being a part of their family.

That's the kind of relationship I'd like to strike with a babysitter. My children deserve it. So, in all of your decision making I encourage you to pray. Pray that God would bring the right precious heart into your life, or make you aware of one that's already there, that will connect with your family and children to serve, support, and edify you all in this capacity. God is capable of bringing someone to light and if he does so, he is also capable of providing the funds (of whatever amount they are worth) to be a blessing back to that person.

God bless you in this; it's important. You're already being very thoughtful about it. I encourage you to be prayerful too.

I think that is alot to pay for one night. What is the hours? I have found great care for my twins for 40.00 and less a day. You just have to be willing to take the time to look. Be forward with what you can pay. There are alot of SAHM who are willing to help. They know the childcare issues, they aqre the best in my own humble opinion.
M.

I run a day care. I charge 2.50 for children over 3 and 2.65 for children under 3.
Good luck =)

Hi S.,
I have 2 children, 2 1/2 and 4 months. I pay my sitter $10 an hour for the 2 kids, or $6 an hour for one. How many hours is she babysitting? K. :)

I think $70 is very generous. I guess it depends on how long she is watching them for, but even if it is for 8 hours I think that is plenty. Those are comparable to rates what you would pay a day care center or provider.

How many hours is it?
I'd say a college student could get away with $10 dollars an hour. It really depends. In home care costs more than a center or daycare because the children are in their own home and the person is only caring for one child. or in your case 2. it is a hard thing to judge unless I knew a little bit more info.