How much for a babysitter for a 9 year old

[LisaInNc]

We are moving this summer not too far but just far away that I am not going to have the cushion of my daughter father a few miles away to take her when I need him to.

I have never had a baby sitter for my daughter. Her dad is teriffic and between the 2 of us we have always covered it.

My little sisters will be living near by and I know she will help but she works a lot. Her best friend lives with her and my daughter has known her. She is home nights, always needs money and has siblings younger than my DD so she is used to kids. My DD has known her all her life so I feel comfortable leaving her AND at 9 I worry a lot less. So I was thinking that when things come up I could bring my daughter to her.

It's one of those things where I know she won't ask or expect money but I would want to pay her.

What should I offer. I would bring my DD to her and pick her up, any expenses like going out for ice cream or dinner I would pay and my DD at 9 is self sufficient. It's kind of like she is hanging out at my sisters house.

Thanks!

 

[taitai]

We pay $12/hour

 

[descovy]

Okay, with 3 young children, I have paid out 10-12 an hour.

But a 9 yr old... one kid, good behavior, good friend/sister... honstly I think $5hr should be pretty sufficiant.

I used to watch my neighbor after school when she was in 5th grade when mom went back to work... as a favor. It was no big deal. No diapers, no toys, messy crafts, etc... just hang out. She was good comapny, even go on errands with me and was helpful.

Once she was in 6th grade she stayed home alone. Now in 7th grade, she'll watch my kids from time to time in short little bursts.

I think it's about expectations. For instance, I take DD10 to dance class. When I break down the monthly tuition it breaks down to $12/hr. For that money, I expect her to be STIMULATED and LEARN SOMETHING. I would not pay $12/hr just to "hang out." So conversly for me, $12/hr to hang out with sister is too much. As I said, for me $5 would be fine.

 

[mjkacmom]

The going rate here is about $10 and hour, + or - for experience, age, number of children, etc. However, that's for a sitter who comes to your house. I think $5 an hour at the sitter's house is enough, especially for a 9 year old.

 

[tar heel]

I don't think you're going to have to pay $10 an hour in northeatern North Carolina. With a 9-year-old, I'd look for someone in her mid-teens who lives nearby and ask what she charges.

 

[Justsyd2]

You can ask around but $10/hour is the usual average. $5/hr seems way too low to me.

 

[scootch]

Must be an area thing.... $5 would be fine for one 9 year old where I live. I would just come out and ask though.... Dang, maybe I should go into babysitting

 

[Kellydelly]

$5 to 10 an hour. I would not pay someone more than $10 an hour to watch one kid.

 

[Leshaface]

Wow! Ten bucks an hour seems pretty low...

I used to get paid 12 dollars an hour 10 years ago!

 

[mamalle]

I pay $10 per hour for two kiddos- age 6 and 8...

 

[Kellydelly]

Wow! Ten bucks an hour seems pretty low...

I used to get paid 12 dollars an hour 10 years ago!

That's interesting. I got paid only $5-$7 an hour to babysit two kids in Orange County CA 15 years ago. That was as a 20 year old! You must have been sitting for wealthy people.

 

[SnowWhite2]

My dd watches a 12 yo and a 9 yo and gets $10+/hr

 

[NeedaVacation03]

I think if you are dropping off your daughter and picking her up, plus paying all expenses than $5-$7 an hour would be good. As long as she does not have to transport to practices and other events and they are just hanging out , I think it would be good additional $$$ for her.

 

[disfan07]

I get $12/hour for baysitting a 9 year old. Basically, i'm there to make her dinner, play games with her adn make sure she showers and reads before bed. Otherwise, i'm really just makign sure she doesn't burn the house down

 

[locolala]

I get paid about 40 bucks a night to watch the kids down the street, and that's just for mom and dad to go out to a movie. They're in bed by the time I get there.. and parent's won't let me charge less!

 

[LisaInNc]

I am leaning towards 5.00 an hour.

Basically she is in her own home doing her own thing, my DD is an only child and used to entertaining herself. So she is not going to require a lot of supervision.

It's not a typical babysitting job.

I am also taking into consideration that this is a close family friend that would not expect it anyway.

Lisa

 

[MSSANDRA]

I have babysat for family and my BFF when my DS was little and I was the one that wanted to stay home. My advice is to be sure #1 that she really does want to babysit. Ask, "are you interested in a JOB watching my DD on occasion if I need someone?". Ask what she thinks is a fair rate. IF she insisit that you do not need to pay her, then mention you are thinking of 5.00/hr or whatever and see what she thinks.

It truly is different be responsible for a child than having the family over for a visit. Be understood any rules etc. "working" for a close family or friend can be a wonderful experence or destroy the relationship.