OT: Question about how much to pay a babysitter?

[MATTERHORN]

My son who is in high school gets paid $7 for older easier kids and $8 for younger kids. Sometimes if he has cleaned the kitchen, toys or whatever they will give him a tip...

Basically...it has been my experience that if the sitter is in high demand (as the good ones always are) you need to pay them "better" or they will take the job with the family that will.

I completely agree. I left it up to the parents and in high school, ten years ago!, I made $10 and hour for one child!! Whenever anyone said anything, the parents always said, "When you find someone good, pay well if you want to keep her!" And I did, I cancelled plans for them all the time because I knew I was appreciated!!

Andrea

 

[MATTERHORN]

You also pay less for daycare because you have to take the kids to them, they can't sleep in their own beds if you go out at night. Also you pay less because it's a group setting! What is one person solely dedicated to your kids all night worth to you? It's worth a lot for me, you can't even COMPARE it to daycare!

Andrea

 

[PaDisney02]

I got married last yr when my son was 3 months old (long story, we had our wedding set b4 i got pg) I had my best friends sis watch him all day which was like 12-13 hrs. i paid her 60 bucks and made sure I had food in the fridge/freezer 4 her.