Babysitter cost for over night? Updated post 35/43

[seven dwarfs]

While in theory, he should be sleeping, young children staying in a strange house (not that your house is strange but not their regular bed) often do not sleep all night. You could be getting up in the middle of the night. Sure, you might not need to but the bottom line is she should be paying you for that level of responsibility.

I didn't even think about that but you are right. I know I didn't sleep as well last night as I normally do. I was on guard. I guess when the child is not yours, you worry a little more. It is a huge liability!

 

[FlyingDumbo]

You are way underpaid here. Like WAY underpaid. You should be charging more for an overnight. You are making less than a dollar an hour. I used to babysit 10 years ago and I got 80 for an overnight.That was over a decade ago. And that first time you are up all night with a sick child, you will realize how important your job is.

Find out the going rate, call around to local daycare/sitters. Then if you want charge a little less. But I think you might be shocked at how underpaid you are right now for days and nights.

 

[daisyduck123]

You are letting yourself be taken advantage of.

I would tell that woman $50.00 per overnight along with the $30.00 per day -- and, btw, I live in Md. as well.

 

[Cdn Gal]

$30-35 a night is ridiculously low. You should be paid $50 a night plus $35 a day. Do not undervalue yourself. She is absolutely taking advantage of your kind nature. I am sure that she does this with lots of people. $15 a night is insulting. You pay a babysitter more for an evening!!!! I also think that you should get things written down so it is on paper to protect yourself.

 

[katied]

It is hard for me to explain to you in a small thread why I feel this way. I worked in a daycare for three years. I also have six kids. All of mine were way ahead of him and none of them are geniuses. All of my kids could brush their teeth and spit by 2. He acted like he had never seen a toothbrush. All of mine were also potty trained by the age of two. (I understand not all kids are ready by two) He could not go up and down stairs at all. He wanted to be carried everywhere and now at 25 months he can not say one word clear except mama which he calls me. For example, we call my daughter sissy, he says da. Music is also da. Most things are da or ba. I know he is behind but he has done well since I have worked with him. He seems to understand most of what I say to him. This is why I say he is behind and not special needs. I feel as long as he is improving maybe he will catch up. It is just a lot of work on my end but I love him and he needs me. He is not being raised by his parents. He is being raised by his grandmother who seems to love him but has no clue what she is doing.

I understand what you're saying. It's more like he's behind in a large number of areas. For me, DS wasn't big on alot of the physical skills - didn't crawl until almost a year, didn't walk until 18 mo, didn't jump until 3 1/2... but he could tell you a complex story, do simple math, and knew his alphabet by the time he was 2 1/2. By the time he was 3, he knew his phonics, could read/write his name and some other basics. So, if you have a kid who's behind in the physical skills, plus the verbal, etc. it's a reason for some concern - maybe he's spending alot of time in front of a tv without much one-on-one outside of your care.

In any event, even though you have your own kids with you, you're still way underpaid. In IL, we paid a sitter $100 for an overnight (the sitter who had 2 kids of her own) - that would be something like 5 pm - 10 am or so the next day. We generally provided all the food, and all the necessary equipment (pack n play, highchair, toys, cups, spoons, bowls, sippys, etc).

 

[seven dwarfs]

OK guys. I have started the conversation. I told her that $15 was way to low. She said well I figured that amount based on 1/2 what I pay during the day. I told her it isn't 1/2 the time. It's actually more time and my most valuable time with my family. I am so nervous my heart is beating so fast. i am such a weenie. Ugh. Wish I was wasn't like this. I am way to nice and people do take advantage of me. And then they always forget all the nice things I do when the time comes. I have got to get a backbone! Thanks everyone for helping me!

 

[seven dwarfs]

I understand what you're saying. It's more like he's behind in a large number of areas. For me, DS wasn't big on alot of the physical skills - didn't crawl until almost a year, didn't walk until 18 mo, didn't jump until 3 1/2... but he could tell you a complex story, do simple math, and knew his alphabet by the time he was 2 1/2. By the time he was 3, he knew his phonics, could read/write his name and some other basics. So, if you have a kid who's behind in the physical skills, plus the verbal, etc. it's a reason for some concern - maybe he's spending alot of time in front of a tv without much one-on-one outside of your care.

In any event, even though you have your own kids with you, you're still way underpaid. In IL, we paid a sitter $100 for an overnight (the sitter who had 2 kids of her own) - that would be something like 5 pm - 10 am or so the next day. We generally provided all the food, and all the necessary equipment (pack n play, highchair, toys, cups, spoons, bowls, sippys, etc).

Yes, you said it way better then I could! I know he has been babied and not exposed to things. I also know he had some issues at birth. (don't want to say to much since he isn't mine) So I am not sure if he will catch up with my help or if he will need outside help. It is really to early to tell. Grandma is in some denile and of course thinks he just like a little doll baby. Just wanted to be clear that it isn't easy to watch him and that I do treat him as if he were in a class room setting. If I can get him to say his colors clearly and his name by 3 I will be thrilled!

 

[SylviaL]

I'm not sure what you have in MD, but in Illinois, we have Early Intervention. When at 18 mos, my daughter could barely say 8 words and was not really picking up any new words, I had her evaluated. They said her speech was at a 1 year old level so she qualified for services. We had a speech therapist come to our house once a week and she improved dramatically. We paid based on our income.
I understand that you are working with this child and he is improving, I just want to point out that he may qualify for help (which can also help you help him).
BTW, I also think that you are underpaid--day and night.

 

[mjkacmom]

Forgive me cause maybe my brain isn't functioning well tonight but I am confused by this. . Are you saying that since the OP is babysitting in her home the $4 per hour is a fair amount? Does the fact that the sitting is being dine in your home or the parents home matter?

Of course it matters. The cost to drop your child off at someone's home is about $4 - $5 an hour here. The sitter can still watch her own children, take in other children, do chores around the house when the children nap, switch laundry, start dinner, etc. The cost to have a sitter come to your house is around $8 - $12 an hour here. The sitter's only function is to watch that child/children. She can get nothing else done. She can't bring her children, get stuff done at home, watch extra kids.

I've done both, and it's much easier not to have to wake up your kids, get them dressed, and bring them to another home. It's nice they can nap in their own cribs/beds, if they're under the weather, not a problem...

 

[mjkacmom]

I'm not sure what you have in MD, but in Illinois, we have Early Intervention. When at 18 mos, my daughter could barely say 8 words and was not really picking up any new words, I had her evaluated. They said her speech was at a 1 year old level so she qualified for services. We had a speech therapist come to our house once a week and she improved dramatically. We paid based on our income.
I understand that you are working with this child and he is improving, I just want to point out that he may qualify for help (which can also help you help him).
BTW, I also think that you are underpaid--day and night.

Although it does vary state to state, EI is a federal program under IDEA, and services must be provided, in some way, to those who qualify. My ds was evaluated at 18 months, and received weekly ST until he was 3, and spoke well enough not to qualify. OP, have his caregivers contact either your schools, or health department.

And you are totally underpaid for these overnights!

 

[jodifla]

Wow! An overnight here let's say 4 p.m. to 4 p.m. the following day would be at LEAST $100.

 

[ilovejack02]

I pay 100 for overnight . I borrow my best friend's nanny when needed. This is what she charges everyone. Her normal rate is $12 an hour.

 

[DCbride]

Sorry, to me it does sound like she is taking advantage of you. Especially, 3 weeks turning into months. And now the days are turning into nights.

Just curious, is the overnight due to her and partner's work schedule?

 

[Ephany]

I paid $80 a night for DD and that was 8 years ago. I think I paid $25 or $30 during the day and that was very affordable for our area at that time. Our sitter had everything spelled out in her contract though; her expectations of us, what we could expect from her and what she did/did not provide and what she charged for each service. I definitely think you're being underpaid, it's hard to watch someone else's child overnight.

 

[seven dwarfs]

It didn't go well. Both the aunt and grandma were not happy. They said he sleeps most of the night time so they thought $15 (from 7 on)/20 (continuous) was fair. I told them good luck finding anyone else to do it for that. The irony of it all, they have a girl that they have watch him here and there and she charges them $8.00 hr! So, Saturday she watched him 3 hours and received $24.00 and didn't give him his nap because he didn't want one. But I have him 10 hours, feed him, teach him and get $30! What a joke!

I was a little upset today after the grandmother left because she made me feel like I was taken advantage of her. She said I was the one who wanted him all day Sunday. um, no, you asked me to watch him and I told you sure no problem. She also seemed irritated that I wouldn't do it for that low amount. She also said no way would it cost me $4.00 to feed him breakfast/dinner/3 snacks. I told her we eat clean/healthy so it does cost me more than that. (she knows this, for example for lunch today he had a banana, green beans and a sandwich made with homemade whole grain bread, real peanut butter with homemade strawberry jelly.)

When I shared with the aunt how the grandmother acted, she didn't believe me. She said she didn't want to even talk about it anymore. She also suggested the only reason they asked me for over night is because long ago when we had major snow he spent the night and they didn't pay me. The whole story is grandma didn't want to drive, I was working in my salon and my hubby wasn't thrilled to take him home. It was just easier for him to stay. I had no clue by that nice jester that they would expect me to do it 3 more times for nothing.

So, we have decided no nights because they don't want to pay me $36 which is the number I gave them. I also am unsure if I want to continue to watch him because it is just way to much drama. I do love him though and I am afraid of his future if I don't keep him. I wish I could learn to not let others get to me so much. And I also wish I wasn't so nice.

Maybe I should look for another child to watch and get paid what some of you guys pay!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I've been a professional nanny for almost 18 years. Many of my friends are professional nannies, too. And I will tell you the most important lesson is this: No child has ever died because the nanny quit. It is very easy to get emotionally invested in a job like this. But that isn't beneficial to you in the long run. Love the children, yes. But don't sell yourself short.

The hourly rate (for normal working hours) is about $17 before taxes. My friends who are newborn specialists charge $20 - $25 per hour, but they usually work overnight (7 PM to 7AM).

When I work overnights I charge the same hourly rate I would normally until the children are all in bed. If they sleep all night I charge a $50 flat rate until the first one gets up in the morning. If there is a baby who needs to be fed in the night the overnight rate goes to $75 or $100, and the regular hourly rate resumes when the first child is up the next morning. 24 hour care is expensive because it is exhausting.

 

[Kellydelly]

I am so glad you spoke up for yourself! They were taking advantage, and they were fully aware.

 

[Kathi OD]

If they are paying an "occasional girl" $8.00 an hour, then they know you are a bargain. They have been taking advantage of you and were hoping to get away with even more. I'm glad you spoke up and put an end to it.

To be honest, after finding out that they pay someone else $8.00 an hour, I'd be changing my fee structure to a per hour rate, from the time they drop him off to the time they pick him up.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

If they are paying an "occasional girl" $8.00 an hour, then they know you are a bargain. They have been taking advantage of you and were hoping to get away with even more. I'm glad you spoke up and put an end to it.

To be honest, after finding out that they pay someone else $8.00 an hour, I'd be changing my fee structure to a per hour rate, from the time they drop him off to the time they pick him up.

Exactly -- grandma should have known when to keep her mouth shut. So glad you spoke up for yourself, so they can't continue to take advantage of you.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I say favor because I am not a daycare owner. I was asked to watch him for just 3 weeks back in October. Then 3 weeks has turned into many months. Maybe I used the wrong word. I have grown attached to him so it is ok if I continue to watch him but I certainly would like some conpensation so I guess it is a job. To me I feel as if it is still a favor in a way because I am not charging what it would be if it were my job but not a favor as in I do not want to be taken advantage of. I am going to speak up. I have had a issue with this in the past but I am learning to do better.

Just a bit of food for thought...
You basically are running a daycare (for one) and in MD that can become a problem if someone reports you. You also need to be careful because if he were to get hurt at your home, you could have problems with your homeowners insurance policy paying for his injury if they find out you are being compensated for watching him (basically you need a daycare providers addedum added to your regular policy). I really am not saying this to stir the pot but just to be honest that you really need to think about this. That is why I would NOT recommend putting anything financial in writing since you are not a licensed daycare. Putting it in writing could truly come back to bite you in butt so to speak. Babysitting in someone else's home is clearly different than them bringing him to your home and if it is one a regular basis, it will be viewed as 'daycare' (esp during a work day).
I am sorry that it did not go well between you and the Gmother. It sounds very much like the Gmother needs to seek early intervention for this child. There are programs here in MD for him. But the bad part is most of the programs happen during regular working hours. So chances are whoever has him between 9 and 5 is going to be responsible for getting him to the appropriate program. I wish both you and this little boy well. But as a previous poster stated, you can't get too emotionally invested in this child. Best of luck to both of you.

Oh and btw... I clearly think you are charging too little and the Gmother knows it. She is trying to take advantage. I don't understand for the life of me why people want to short-change the person taking care of their most precious possession?!