How much would you pay?

[la79al]

I am looking at having my cousin watch my stepkids over the summer. She is 20 and currently stays home with her own child. My steppies are 10 and 6 and it would be around 6 hours per day. We haven't decided if it would be at her house or ours. Neither her nor I have any idea on how much money though. Suggestions?

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I am looking at having my cousin watch my stepkids over the summer. She is 20 and currently stays home with her own child. My steppies are 10 and 6 and it would be around 6 hours per day. We haven't decided if it would be at her house or ours. Neither her nor I have any idea on how much money though. Suggestions?

Have you researched what a daycare would cost for the same amount of time? That would give you an idea of what the going rate is and then you could negotiate keeping that figure in mind.

This is a while ago, but 7 years ago, my two kids (around 6 & 8) went to daycare 5 days a week for one hour prior to school and 3 hours after school-I paid $225 a week. I guess what you pay would also depend on whether your cousin volunteered to do this because she could use the extra money or that you asked her because you would feel better having your kids with family. At one point I paid an aunt of mine to watch my kids before school and I paid her exactly what the daycare centers charged because I felt she was doing me a favor (she was not looking to do this nor to supplement her income) and I got to have the peace of mind that my kids were with someone I knew I could trust.

I'd definitely expect to pay her more if you wanted her to babysit at your house (than if she watched them at her house) since in the end, it takes her away from her life and own home responsibilities.

 

[kidzmom3]

I pay my 23 year old sister in law $10 an hour to watch my kids during the summer. Plus, I pay any expenses if they go out. Beach, parking fees, movies, tickets etc....

 

[earthfaries]

I would also check local rates and go from there. Keep in mind they are benefiting from being w/family instead of daycare or a stranger.
Also, babysitters almost ALWAYS get more for staying at your house. Once again, your children are benefiting from being at home as opposed to someone elses

 

[Princess Roo]

I would try to find out the "going rate" for an hourly adult babysitter in the area. Adjust down a little for committing to 36 hours per week, adjust down if your kids are going to her house instead, and then adjust as you feel comfortable for it being family.
FWIW, in our area (Atlanta suburb), we pay our adult sitter $11 per hour for 1 child when we go out (she charges an extra dollar per hour per extra child). When I use her a committed 12 hours per week in the summer, it is $9 per hour, but I also pay the days I don't use her if I'm the one to cancel. (She is flexible about working with me to make up the time, but if it doesn't happen, I have no problem with paying her.)

 

[rentayenta]

I pay my dear friend, who comes to my home, $45 a day for 3 children ages 10, 8, and 5. After reading this, I am getting a screaming deal! Hope she isn't a DISer. She just had a baby and it was our idea to help tend my kids while DH and I are at work. She tends 3 days a week tops.

 

[cheapi86]

I would charge at least $10 an hour, plus pay for any expenses (musuem, lunch out, etc) for her and your kids...but not for her child.

I would pay for any days you have her scheduled, but then cancel but not pay for any days she cancels.

 

[tammy1210]

I think a lot depends on whose house she's at - if she were at her own house it would be much more convenient for her - she could still clean her house, cook dinner, etc... - I know I get a great deal, but my babysitter keeps my dd and a baby plus my ds and another child in the summer - she charges $100 per week per child.

 

[hollyb]

At least $14 an hour, thats only $7 per child. Also you need to give her enough money for her and the kids to do stuff. The summer will be so boring if they did nothing all day. Remember its a paying job for your cousin.

The camp my neighbor sends her 1 child too, cost her $3,000 for 2 1/2 months in the summer.

 

[hollyb]

I think a lot depends on whose house she's at - if she were at her own house it would be much more convenient for her - she could still clean her house, cook dinner, etc... - I know I get a great deal, but my babysitter keeps my dd and a baby plus my ds and another child in the summer - she charges $100 per week per child.

I would think the OP wouldn't want her doing all that while she is getting paid to watch the kids. The cousin needs to do that on her own time.

 

[trennr]

Start out with $50...plus food $$$.

but I'm cheap.

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

At least $14 an hour, thats only $7 per child. Also you need to give her enough money for her and the kids to do stuff. The summer will be so boring if they did nothing all day. Remember its a paying job for your cousin...

Not to be terribly disagreeable, but $14 hour for babysitting? Starting to sound like a union job . As the sitter is both a SAHM(she's not working a paying job) and family member anyway, it isn't as if this is a true competitive employment situation. Day care rates aren't completely applicable as day care centers must pay higher overhead, insurance, taxes, etc, and the caregiver employees must pay income tax, SS, etc. If this is simply supplemental income(tax free to her unless you want to deduct it and therefore probably ought to report it to her and IRS on a 1099 as such) paid between family members off the books, I would think $5 to $7 per hour is probably very reasonable - plus any expenses(food, activities, etc).

 

[disneyfan2]

I think at $14 per hour, I could NOT afford to go to work!!!

 

[wishtdream]

The going rate in my area is $35- $40 per scheduled day per child at the sitters home plus you send lunch and expense money for any outside activities. If you want in home care for your child it is more.

 

[dis-happy]

How old is the cousin's child? Will the kids all be playing together or is it a baby? If there is a huge age difference I think I'd look into other options. Your kids could end up being more as babysitters/mother's helpers for HER. Also, I'd want to make sure there would be plenty of activities for your kids to do and be a part of, not sitting around playing nintendo all summer long. Will she be able to take them to swim lessons or maybe a trip to a water park, programs at the library, etc? Or will she be tied to a baby's nap schedule? If they go to her house will they be able to see their neighborhood and school friends? Where we live the city parks and rec dept. offers a very low-cost summer camp program, as does the YMCA. I would look into those kinds of things as well. Good luck!

 

[Hannathy]

Remember you get what you pay for.


My DD was offered over $100 last summer for 3 full days and that was for 1 8yr old child.

 

[ilovejack02]

I got paid last summer for watching my friend's two girls, she was paying almost 900 a month for summer day care and I did it for half that, plus she brought ALL food/ snacks and sent money for any activities. I watched the girls in my own home.

 

[cheapi86]

Remember you get what you pay for.


My DD was offered over $100 last summer for 3 full days and that was for 1 8yr old child.

I agree. You need to give her enough money to make this worth her time. Otherwise it may be the middle of the summer and she decides hey dedicating 6 hours of my day to watch two kids at $7 dollars an hour is just not worth it. Then you'll have to find another sitting situation. Also most places such as the Y etc are at least $200 a week PER child so you can still pay her a decent wage and get a great deal.

I'm sorry but If I was paid under $10 an hour to watch more than one child, I would plop them in front of the TV, that is simply not enough money to dedicate my time and energy into doing activities,etc.

I saw this message on Craig's List and TOTALLY agree:

To those of you looking to hire quality caregivers, please consider the quality of the employee you will receive when you offer anything less than $10.00 per hour per one child. I live in [XXXX] where the cost of living is comparable but slighty less than that of [XXX]. The babysitters (meaning those who do little more than making sure your child is safe, fed and put to bed) earn a minimum of $10.00 per hour. As parents, you all know the demands of childcare. Not to mention, home management care, errands, shopping ,meal prep, laundry, light housekeeeping, pet care, etc. All things that go along with daylight childcare. Please consider those you employ more respectfully so that you may receive a higher grade caregiver for those you love. Sincerely, THE NANNY

 

[dhardawa]

Wow, my daughter's daycare must be quite a deal! During the school year I pay $65 a week and in the summer I pay $98 a week. In the summer they take them to the pool three days a week, and to the movies/museum/theme park/zoo/etc. one day a week. The other day they do games at the center. My daughter is 7. If I paid $14 an hour, I'd pay them around $650 a week for care. Since it is for two kids, I'd probably offer her $30/day.

 

[badblackpug]

I don't have any advice as to what to pay. Mine go to "camp" at the local university, it is run buy education majors...anyway...just this advice. Draw up a contract and make sure all parties sign it. Outlining hours, fees, meals, etc, I have had friends who have had problems with sitters. Also have a contingency plan for if the sitter "calls in sick." Also, I would offer to pay for her child if she were to take the children on an outing. either that, or I would pay for transportation.