How much to pay a babysitter?

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jjgailey

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We've never hired a babysitter before because my mom has always watched our daughters. But, I don't want to ask her too much and my husband and I hardly get out much, we're thinking about hiring a teenage girl to watch our 18 month old and 3 yo, some occassional evenings or weekends for a few hours at a time. We're clueless about how much to pay...things have gone up since I babysat as a teenager!

How much per hour to watch a 18 mon. & 3 yo. girls? (also, don't know if it matters, but we'd want her to come to our home and we live in rural Indiana).
 
Not sure of the going rates near you (or me), but do you have friends in the area with kids around the same age? Perhaps you can do 'swap night' - you mind theirs so they can go out and they can mind your so you can go out.

Just a thought.
 
There are alternative ways to pay your babysitter..... ;) :tongue: :o
 
More important things to consider.....

Okay, here comes the medical professional out in me.....please please please, make sure that who hire has CPR TRAINING for young children, that they come recommended, that they are willing or have had drug screening, and that they keep their friends OUT of your house! Also, that you leave a list of numbers for the children's Pedi. Doctor, instructions on how to dial 911 which sounds silly but some people don't think, phone numbers for where you and your husband will be at throughout the night, phone numbers for your parents or close friends in case something goes wrong, instructions on how to work the heating system, a list of night time rituals for your children including bath times and snack times, and any instructions for your home security system.

Many young teens actually take child care classes at the local community college, and, register with them for potential jobs! You can make inquiries to the colleges and ask for the same!

As far as pay rates go, fifteen dollars an hour sounds about right to me. And you and your hubby SHOULD make time for dates with each other. As parents, we often put sooooooooooo much time and energy into our children, that we often forget the one person who helped us MAKE THEM in the first place...our mates! I applaud you for wanting to take time to stay connected! :wave:
 
Okay, now, here comes the medical professional out in me as well....(sorry Ragnarok :wave: ). Always, make sure the babysitter does not smoke and, hopefully, does not drink or uses drugs - very important

morriefisher said:
A teenager is too young to watch a 3mo old child. Get someone who knows how to do it.
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:amen:
 
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A teenager is too young to watch a 3mo old child. Get someone who knows how to do it.
 
if there are any local colleges around, you may have some luck finding someone responsible there. having the person come to your house spending an hour or 2 with the kids can be helpful to everyone. that way you can see how they interact with the kids and the kids can become more comfortable with a new person before you leave them alone.

as for the prices, while in college i typically charged about $10-12 an hour while the kids were awake then about $7 an hour while the kids were sleeping.
maybe i'm cheap, but i hate when people over-charge parents when they're already spending a fortune going out. parents deserve a night out too!
 
about $10 an hour seems about right- that's what people around here charge most of the time- some of the younger babysitters are cheaper though-then again you may have to pay a little extra for the travel time (since you're in a rural area)
I don't use babysitters because I have plenty of family to help, but I've talked with lots of moms who do. That seems to be the price I hear most. Also, we have some girls at church who want to babysit for extra money. Maybe you could find someone at your church from a family you know pretty well.(I'm pretty sure you've said before that you go to church...that's why I suggested that.)
 
gr8nrg said:
Okay, now, here comes the medical professional out in me as well....(sorry Ragnarok :wave: ). Always, make sure the babysitter does not smoke and, hopefully, does not drink or uses drugs - very important



:amen:
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:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: You silly man you! No teen should watch a three month old critter, but, I think the lady was asking about an eighteen month old. There were other wonderful suggestions as well posted....check out colleges, Churches, and neighborhood kids. When all else fails to pacify you, set up a "Nanny Cam" in the family room, nursery. :wave:
 
Thanks everyone!!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! We do have a wonderful, very nice teen in mind that goes to church with us, who we feel is very responsible and mature, she told us whatever we wanted to pay her (hehe...10 years ago, I was only paid $2/hr per child!! it's a GOOD thing I asked you guys! :) ) Wow...so we could end up paying me for a babysitter than going out to dinner, huh? :)

As far as the ages, we don't have a child as young as 3 mons., but we do have a 18 mon. old and a 3 year old. I feel it is time to let them get to know someone else besides family as a babysitter..."mommy" definetely needs a couple of dates out...I think we've managed to go out 2x a year (our anniversary and one of our birthdays) in the past 3 years! :(

But...at $10 an hour (an that is the cheaper pay), for say 4 hours...$40 total...hmm...just one night...well, maybe we will will ask the "free" babysitter (grandma) to babysit for dates out instead :)

Thanks you guys!
 
You could also just ask her how much she wants per hour? It likely will be less than the suggestions here. Then, when you get home, give her a little extra and she'll feel like a million bucks.
 
i am a babysitter and i charge 5 dollars per half hour
 
I babysit & I do it for free. Not that young though. They have to be old enough to play video games.
 
spazntwitch said:
You could also just ask her how much she wants per hour? It likely will be less than the suggestions here. Then, when you get home, give her a little extra and she'll feel like a million bucks.
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Exactly. Ask her going rate first no matter what others might pay. You might be surprised. FYI I've been paying $5/hour for 2 or 3 kids (depending if Sophinator is at a sleepover or not) for Red Cross certified babysitters near me. :o
 
diGriz said:
hire the raccoon
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I'm in agreement with diGriz, whatever you do, don't use RBS (raccoon babysitting service)......no matter how 'friendly' they seem....

jingle3.jpg
 
my gf pays her babysitter $42 a week to watch her daughter every day from 8 til 4:30...i would not pay more then $5 an hour
 
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