How much do you pay babysitters?

[msdznyduck]

I know this has been discussed before, but DD16 has picked up a babysitting job (eves, once a month for 3-4 hours....just so they can have some 'alone time'. They went to a movie and a quick dinner last month)
The children are 4 and a few months, and an 18 month old. Very well behaved, according to DD.
So what would you pay, or expect to get paid for an evening...5:30 to 8:30 pm or so? DD fed them dinner last time, and played a game with them, watched movies....etc. Mom wanted to give them baths and put them to bed, so is home in time for that.

thanks

 

[Davidsmommy]

I have a young babysitter, who I am training. She is almost 13. When she sits (and this is her first job(s)) - her mother (who is one of my best friends and neighbor) is home, across the street, available at a moments notice, which makes me feel better, and makes my sitter feel more secure. She (the sitter) has taken a babysitting course and knows CPR (as well as a 12 year old can know it).

I have started her sitting for my daughter (2 1/2) when I am working downstairs occasionally running out to do errands, go to my warehouse when daycare is closed/school is out. I generally pay her $5 an hour for that, with a tip rounded up here in there.

Just this weekend, I used her for an evening (first time), for BOTH kids (my almost 7 year old and my 2 1/12 year old). My dh was away for work and I was in a bind. I paid her about $35 for 4 evening hours (fed both kids dinner I had ordered, got 2 1/1 year old into bed, and the almost 7 year old read himself to sleep.) I felt ok since I knew my friend was across the street available at a moments notice (even though my sitter is young).

We rarely pay for a sitter since we have 3 sets of grandparents who are usually happy to sit, but I like to have other options as well.

 

[CPM]

Around here they get $10.00 an hour if you can find a kid that isn't too busy

 

[dizcrazy]

we live in South Jersey and pay $10 an hour. we have one child (DD,3) and our sitter is 21 years old and drives to our house. some of our friends pay $9 and they all have two kids, so I guess $9-10 is the going rate.

 

[Davidsmommy]

And, I have used older sitters before in the past (co-worker's kids, etc.), and anytime I asked what they charged, I was always told "whatever you think..."

I would almost suggest to an older teen that they set a rate they would be happy with and say, "This is what I charge." I know as a parent, if I find a teen I am happy with, I will pay whatever they ask within reason to keep a good, reliable sitter. One who would rather come sit and make money than go out with their boyfriend. Lol. In a pinch, I would pay $20 an hour. Lol.

One of those, "If I knew then what I know now...." as a teen babysitter, I would have been more upfront about what I felt my time was worth.....

 

[hollyb]

For 4 kids here in NJ would be at $15.00 an hour plus tip.

 

[disneyleslie]

we are in Milwaukee and my 13 year old gets anywhere from $6-10 per hour depending on the people she sits for.

 

[momofbgtwins]

We pay $13-15 per hour for 4-1/2 year old twins. We use 3 sitters - all from 1 family - the mother or one of two daughters in their mid-twenties. All are married women. What can I tell you? They love our kids and would do it for free. Unfortunately, my MIL is too busy and my family is too far away.

 

[mikamah]

The girls who work at my son's daycare babysit on the side, are all in their mid 20s and get 10$/hour. I don't know if they get more if there is more than one child.

 

[Nolcrest]

My co-worker at our daycare, who is in her mid 20's, would like to receive $10 hr.

 

[chop456]

I pay $5/hour for 2 kids ages 7 & 9. They are easy to handle. I usually have family babysit ... but on Mondays I have my cousin who I pay $5/hour. She also eats dinner at our house 3-4 times per week (my DH works 3rd shift, and I like having dinner company) and does her laundry here. I also fill her gas tank up once/month (she drives my kids to their activities). Seems to work for us.

 

[*MickeyFan*]

I have 2 kids 5.5 and 2.5 I pay my sitters $7hr at least. I usually round it up to the nearest $5/$10 jen

 

[mjantz]

Most of the time, I have my good friend babysit. Its a win/win as she can use the money & I trust her completely. I usually pay her $5/hour & round up for partial hours. My kids are 6 & 9 & they've usually had a bath/shower & have eaten dinner when she arrives so they usually watch a movie & then go to bed. She knows she can eat or drink anything in the house & DS will set up the DVD player for her if she wants to watch a movie & we have a dish as well.
We don't use her that often (less than once a month) but I'm so glad she's willing to do it.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

My DD babysits for 3 children and gets $15.00 an hour.
The going rate is $10.00.

 

[jakoky]

wow, i cant believe how high the rate is in many places...my older two kids do a lot of babysitting around here(we are in bc,canada) and they usually make about 5 dollars an hour(for 1, 2 and 3 kids)...I do know that my older daughter has about 7 different people who request her, and my son who has just started has about 4 so far...i cant imagine paying 10 dollars an hour on top of paying for dinner or a movie...good thing we had grandparents the odd time we went out or we wouldnt have gone anywhere having to pay that much...
sharon

 

[Caboosey]

I think I made $6-8 an hour when I was sitting, and that was about 10 years ago!

 

[momma leaps]

My daughters babysit and they generally get about $10 an hour. I've had my daugher occasionally come home from babysitting with as much as $60-$100 in one night !!!

 

[treboats]

It depends who sits for us we have a 15 year old who sits for us sometimes and we pay her $5 an hour if she just keeps the baby if she keeps all 3 kids she gets $8 an hour.

DS's teachers aide sits for us on the weekends sometimes and she gets more $10 an hour for all 3.

DH's sister watched all 3 tonight for four hours and we paid her $30. Personally I think she should do it for free I would never charge my brother to watch my nieces but that is a whole different subject.

 

[grlzmom]

My dds make between 8 and 15 per hour depending on the family, what they pay and the number of kids.

Usually, they end up getting way more than expected and 75 to 100 on a weekend night that runs from 6 pm til midnight or so is not unusual. They both sat for people on new years eve and made some big bucks

They usually let the families decide about compensation and it has always ended up being more than generous for my dds.

They would certainly sit for less, as they enjoy doing it, however around here, 8 is about the starting point.

 

[comicguy]

My 14 yo son started babysitting a few weeks ago for a family down the street that is raising a grand daughter. He goes for about 2 hours on Friday evening and comes home with 10 dollars. So he gets 5.00 per hour, which is not too bad since he just started.