How much to pay childcare while gone?

[FFGrumpy]

My wife and I are planning a trip without kids next year but have never paid a baby-sitter for overnight let alone a week. I would like to know if anyone has done this and if so how much you paid for an extended period of childcare.

Thanks

 

[Disneyforus]

Don't know the answer to your question, but have fun with your adult trip without the kids. We leave in less than 2 weeks for a trip just DH and I. We have thoroughly enjoyed out trips with our children...but can't wait to experience parts of Disney that the kids might not care about so much!

Good luck! and WELCOME to the DIS!!!

 

[lolakat]

The answer to your question is going to depend very much on where you live and who your babysitter is. Is it a nanny you use regularly? Is it a neighborhood teen? etc etc.

Up until recently we lived in Philadelphia. We had a full time nanny. We had her stay overnight once when DH and I had to go out of town to close on our new house. She normally worked until 6pm and started at 7am. We paid her an extra $150 to stay overnight.

We once asked her to come on vacation with us for a week. We provided all her travel expenses and paid her regular salary. In addition to that we paid her $1000 to be available 24/7 as needed.

The going rates in the Northeast are often higher than in other parts of the country. Also this nanny was a little pricey. Her regular hourly rate was $18/hr.

This may give you a frame of reference but I would try to talk to other people who live in your area to get a better idea of the going rate.

 

[Disney_Trippin]

I just watched my bosses kids from Thursday night through Sunday morning (but Friday they were at daycare). They gave me $200, and I considered it a favor to her and her husband.

The real question is...how well behaved are your kids?

 

[nurse.darcy]

If its someone you use regularly, then just ask them what they would charge for the trip. That would be your best resource. If you are asking a neighbor kid to watch your kids for a week while you are gone, then figure out what their going day rate is and come up with an offer.