Babysitting $$ question

[bjscheel]

Babysitting rates depend on the area too- where OP lives $5 might well be typical.

My daycare center (small town Iowa) was less than $4/hour for my two girls.

 

[prncess674]

Babysitting rates depend on the area too- where OP lives $5 might well be typical.

My daycare center (small town Iowa) was less than $4/hour for my two girls.

There is a huge difference between drop off group daycare and in home private sitting.

 

[bjscheel]

True, but the teens around here are not getting $10-12/hour either.

 

[HM]

She should definitely call the parents and ask why she was only paid for four hours. Remind them that her rate is $5 and she was there for more than 6 hours. She should have asked about getting something to eat since she'd planned on eating with the kids too (hopefully she'll do so if this happens in the future).

In our area, teens make $7-10 (mostly 10) and college age get $10 .

 

[ado121]

we are all waiting to hear. please let your daughter know that she has my support! if she came and did my dishes, and cleaned up around my house and watched my kids i'd pay her a million dollars! hahaha. but having 4 kids, we dont go out much!

 

[Starbrite]

I'm hoping the OP's daughter hears back!

Babysitting rates depend on the area too- where OP lives $5 might well be typical.

My daycare center (small town Iowa) was less than $4/hour for my two girls.

My 16yr old sitter makes $5/hr to watch DD8. That is the going rate around here for many teenagers.

 

[cm8]

Any news yet?? Hope all is well

 

[NeedaVacation03]

Well, still no response. She is about ready to just be done with the whole subject,which is probably what they are hoping for. I dont know that she will ever babysit for them again. She does not feel that she should have to continue to try to get ahold of them.
Around here $5 is pretty typical. Sometimes you can get $7 or 8, but not very often. College students get more, but generally not high school students.
I am all for life lessons, but this parenting thing just keeps presenting new experiences for us both every day. So far atleast they are just minor little lessons that are able to prepare my girls to be better prepared for adulthood.

Also my DD wants to thank everyone for their input and support. She is happy to know that she was not wrong in her thinking and that there are people willing to pay for a good job. Now if she can just find some people like you guys in our area. Thanks so much and have a great night.

 

[daisyduck123]

I dont know that she will ever babysit for them again.

Please tell her that of course she shouldn't. That would just "ask" to be taken advantage of. Hopefully she can find other families to keep her busy.

 

[Fly4free]

I hope they have the nerve to ask your DD to sit again so she can explain to them in person why she will not be sitting for them again. She could say "I'm keeping my time open for families that pay me a minimum of $5 for EACH hour I have their kids."

 

[Tink_Or_Belle]

True, but the teens around here are not getting $10-12/hour either.

I am really glad to know that my 13 year old babysits here in Small Town Iowa and she charges $3.00 and hour foir 1 kid $3.50 for 2 kids and $5.00 for 3 kids she won't do more than 3 . She is also 1st aid trained and has taken some babysitting classes. I was starting to think she was charging too little

 

[My2Angels]

This happened to me once when I was babysitting and I never forgot it! I am 36 years old now and have 3 children. I don't care how old they are, I pay $10 per hour for my babysitters, and I usually feed them dinner. I think that is a fair wage.

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

Interesting thread as I was just questioning how much we pay our sitter. I'm not sure if others will agree with this but we kind of "figure it differently". Our sitter never comes before 6:30 in the evening. We have three kids, DS10, DS7 and DD7. If we are home by 10:30 or 11 we pay $40.00, after 11 but before midnight is $50. Anything after midnight is $60. We are never later than 1:30. Both of our teenage sitters are our nieces so if they are asleep when we get home, we just cover them up on the couch and they spend the night. One is 17 and the other is 18 but we'd rather they didn't drive after waking in the middle of the night.

So, what do you think? Is it fair?

 

[Trish Bessette]

My 16 DD gets $10 an hour for watching 3 girls - 6, 7 & 10.

She will be watching them full time this summer too

 

[daisyduck123]

Interesting thread as I was just questioning how much we pay our sitter. I'm not sure if others will agree with this but we kind of "figure it differently". Our sitter never comes before 6:30 in the evening. We have three kids, DS10, DS7 and DD7. If we are home by 10:30 or 11 we pay $40.00, after 11 but before midnight is $50. Anything after midnight is $60. We are never later than 1:30. Both of our teenage sitters are our nieces so if they are asleep when we get home, we just cover them up on the couch and they spend the night. One is 17 and the other is 18 but we'd rather they didn't drive after waking in the middle of the night.

So, what do you think? Is it fair?

Yes, I think that's fair. That's about what my DD15 makes ($10.00/hr).

Btw...I'm in Maryland too. I'll be happy to sit for you if your nieces can't ever make it.

 

[NeedaVacation03]

Interesting thread as I was just questioning how much we pay our sitter. I'm not sure if others will agree with this but we kind of "figure it differently". Our sitter never comes before 6:30 in the evening. We have three kids, DS10, DS7 and DD7. If we are home by 10:30 or 11 we pay $40.00, after 11 but before midnight is $50. Anything after midnight is $60. We are never later than 1:30. Both of our teenage sitters are our nieces so if they are asleep when we get home, we just cover them up on the couch and they spend the night. One is 17 and the other is 18 but we'd rather they didn't drive after waking in the middle of the night.

So, what do you think? Is it fair?

OP Here. My DD would love to babysit for you! Those figures look great.
We have decided to move on and since they would not return her call, we figured it was for the best. My family will not babysit for them again. It is not so much because of the $$ but now because they would not return DD's call. She feels that that was very disrespectful. She also feels that by not calling back they are pretty much saying they know they did her wrong.
It is not a good situation since we see them so often , but we will just go forward. It is a lesson learned.
Thanks to all for the advice and input. She will continue to babysit but with a little more info up front.

 

[PinballFamily]

Good for your DD. That family is shameful - hiding from your daughter! Yes, they do know they are in the wrong. It will almost be funny to see them slink away and try to evade you in the future...too bad (for them) that they see you so often!

What's the saying... "Sadder but wiser...?" Your DD took the high road, learned a bit about tacky neighbors/friends, and I'm sure you are very proud of her!

 

[scooterpig]

I have 4 children (one is now grown) and never had to hire a babysitter. Seeing the prices that some sitters charge has really blown me away. $90 for 7 hours...I know people with college degrees who can't find a job that pays that well.

To the OP~I think your daughter sounds like a great girl, and you sound like a supportive Mom. I think you both handled this situation well.

 

[scooterpig]

Side note: wondering how "church people" get away with ripping off their babysitter. Seems hypocritical.