Monday, December 20, 2010

Babysitting

I need some help from other moms who use babysitters. I have always used family to babysit, but now that my parents have 5 grandchildren, they aren't always available. I need to know what is the "going rate" for 1 kid, 2 kids, 3 kids per hour. We shared a sitter with a friend this weekend, and she normally pays $10 for 1 kid per hour, but we added my two and I felt like I needed to pay way more. I am out of the babysitting loop! What about overnight babysitting? Can any of you give me tips so I don't run off babysitters.

6 comments:

Rachel said...

I pay about $10 per hour for the first child, and then I would say $15 per hour for two kids. I have never done overnight babysitting except with the grandparents... so I have no idea on that one... I would just ask the sitter to give you a quote for what is fair to her. I have some names of good ones in the Bham area if you are interested. Just email me at rachelaolis@gmail.com

Wanting What I Have said...

We went the $10/hr rate and then with two it was $12, and with three...well, at that point I was so frustrated with sitters leaving my house trashed. We'd go to dinner & drop $50, plus another $30-$40 on a sitter, and I'd have to come home to dirty dishes, toys everywhere, wet towels on the floor, etc. And then something wonderful happened! We found two 11 yr old girls who are best friends. They live in our neighborhood and we pay them $6/hr each to keep all three kids (so we fork out $12 per hour). I realize they're young, and they didn't keep the baby until she was about 8 months. However, they are FAR more responsible than any of the older sitters we've ever had. They play with our kids, give baths (they don't bathe the baby), clean up, do the dishes, etc. It has worked out BEAUTIFULLY! So, I'd encourage you to check out the junior high youth group for responsible young girls who could team up together. Hope that gives you some ideas. I've also called them the next day and sometimes written notes thanking them for being so thorough - it's just been a great thing for us. They minister to my heart. I love those girls!

The Hill Family said...

I've never used a paid sitter, either, but all the girls at work do, and they've found them all through some website called sittercity. They rave about it all the time, so you might try that.

Ole Miss Mom said...

I also take into consideration for how long our sitter is there while the kids are ASLEEP! We had a sitter last night from 5:30 to 10:45 and paid her $60. But for 3.5 solid hours, she sat there and facebooked, watched tv, etc. I'm not going to pay her $15/hour+ to sit on my couch. We always round up too! :-)
We've never overnight babysat, but I'd say it's up there!

Nick Raymon said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Allyson said...

just seeing this post. me and my neighbor chicks pay 10 an hour (for two kids) and if they are asleep i drop it down to 8. this is for the 16 year old but my sister gets 12 an hour for 3 kids and she is 25. and my sis is always looking for other people to babysit for if you want her number. she has helped me raise my girls. i do know people who are married that babysit for 12 per kid! i would never pay that. thats insane and more than i make as a flexi nurse if its 3 kids!!! ha.

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