Baby-Sitting

[superme80]

Let me say that our baby-sitter is amazing. She has been watching my boys for 4 years now. She is over 18, CPR certified, and has a car.

But holy cow is it expensive! She originally charged $5 an hour, but for the amount of kids we have, and how rambunctious they are, we pay $10 an hour. DH and I went out to lunch, bowling, and dessert with friends. Afterwards we hit up Target for about 30 mins. We paid around $70 for baby-sitting. This is why we rarely go out on the weekends. Anyone else pay this rate or more? The rate people pay for baby-sitting has always fascinated me. When I used to baby-sit, the worse children ever, I made about $20 for 6 hours of baby-sitting.

 

[starry_solo]

That's pretty cheap.

 

[dotfurio]

We used to pay our babysitters $10/hr for 2 kids. Our oldest is old enough now to watch our youngest, though.

Our local MyGym charges $25 for 3 1/2 hours, including dinner. Can't beat that!

 

[ashley0139]

3 rambunctious kids for $10/hour? Over 18, CPR certified? Seems pretty cheap to me.

 

[superme80]

3 rambunctious kids for $10/hour? Over 18, CPR certified? Seems pretty cheap to me.

How much do baby-sitters normally charge. I know back in the 90s I made about $3 an hour for a consistent baby-sitting job. To me $10 an hour is pretty up there for someone who is just watching my kids once in awhile. I feel that is actually pretty good pay. If I was hiring someone as a nanny, I agree with paying more.

 

[mnrose]

$10 is the going rate here for more than 1 kid. DD made that much when she babysat (she works retail now for better money, and more consistent hours).

I made $1 an hour 45 years ago. Doesn't seem unreasonable to ask $10 now.

 

[superme80]

$10 is the going rate here for more than 1 kid. DD made that much when she babysat (she works retail now for better money, and more consistent hours).

I made $1 an hour 45 years ago. Doesn't seem unreasonable to ask $10 now.

Good lord! I would never leave the kids!

 

[sonnyjane]

3 rambunctious kids for $10/hour? Over 18, CPR certified? Seems pretty cheap to me.

Dear lord, DIRT CHEAP!

 

[katie01]

Babysitters charge about $15 an hour in our area.

 

[sonnyjane]

@superme80, I just did a search on Sittercity for my zipcode. A few of the young ones are listed at $10 per hour. Those with more experience are $20-$25 an hour. Nobody was less than $10 per hour (you can search by rate). Several of those have $15-$20 as the base rate with $5-$10 extra per additional child per hour.

 

[superme80]

@superme80, I just did a search on Sittercity for my zipcode. A few of the young ones are listed at $10 per hour. Those with more experience are $20-$25 an hour. Nobody was less than $10 per hour (you can search by rate). Several of those have $15-$20 as the base rate with $5-$10 extra per additional child per hour.

How on earth do people afford that? That is insane. I am looking forward to the day my oldest can chill with his brothers.

 

[ashley0139]

How much do baby-sitters normally charge. I know back in the 90s I made about $3 an hour for a consistent baby-sitting job. To me $10 an hour is pretty up there for someone who is just watching my kids once in awhile. I feel that is actually pretty good pay. If I was hiring someone as a nanny, I agree with paying more.

That's not that much over minimum wage, for someone who is watching your three children. Who is older and has first aid certification. People make much more than that doing much less important things (as in, keeping children alive). The last time I babysat it was in NYC. I don't remember how much I made exactly, but it was much more than $10/hr. For one kid.

 

[sonnyjane]

How on earth do people afford that? That is insane. I am looking forward to the day my oldest can chill with his brothers.

My pet sitter charges $20 per visit. She comes to my house, feeds the cat, makes sure he has water, and cleans the litterbox. Probably 10 minutes of work lol.

 

[superme80]

That's not that much over minimum wage, for someone who is watching your three children. Who is older and has first aid certification. People make much more than that doing much less important things (as in, keeping children alive). The last time I babysat it was in NYC. I don't remember how much I made exactly, but it was much more than $10/hr. For one kid.

I look at it different because it is just a "if she is free" we use her basis. I'm not sure when it got so expensive.

 

[superme80]

My pet sitter charges $20 per visit. She comes to my house, feeds the cat, makes sure he has water, and cleans the litterbox. Probably 10 minutes of work lol.

I am seeing a trend with avoiding businesses if I can. We had someone stay with our dog for a couple days while we were out town. We paid $150 for 2 1/2 days and provided food.

 

[ashley0139]

I look at it different because it is just a "if she is free" we use her basis. I'm not sure when it got so expensive.

I guess I don't understand what "if she is free" has to do with it? She's still working.

 

[superme80]

I guess I don't understand what "if she is free" has to do with it? She's still working.

I mean, "If she is available". We go by her schedule if we use her. We don't have any set hours or anything. Just a text if she is available on a certain and work with her schedule. I guess personally for me I don't put occasional baby-sitters in the same category as a day care worker or a nanny. I think that is why I am so shocked at the cost a lot of people charge. If I was having someone come in and watch my kids a a couple days a week, then yes I see paying $15-$20 an hour. For just an occasional date night, I think that is excessive.

 

[robinb]

I paid $7-10 per hour for a single child 14 years ago

 

[Neesy228]

We paid $15/hour (3 kids, all over toddler age) for our babysitter when we used one...it’s been about 5 years since we needed one since our kids are all old enough to stay alone now.

When I used to babysit (back in the late 80’s/early 90’s) I made $4-5/hour!

I totally understand what you’re saying about how expensive a night out can be! That being said, I do think you’re getting a great deal for $10/hour. Especially for that many children and a sitter that is that age and cpr certified.

 

[ashley0139]

I mean, "If she is available". We go by her schedule if we use her. We don't have any set hours or anything. Just a text if she is available on a certain and work with her schedule. I guess personally for me I don't put occasional baby-sitters in the same category as a day care worker or a nanny. I think that is why I am so shocked at the cost a lot of people charge. If I was having someone come in and watch my kids a a couple days a week, then yes I see paying $15-$20 an hour. For just an occasional date night, I think that is excessive.

I knew what you meant, I just don't think that changes anything. Obviously the rate is going to depend on your region (lol it's regional), but most people here seem to think you are getting a pretty great deal so.