Overnight Weekend babysitting

[Pomlover2586]

Question for all you moms...... I am a childcare teacher and have been for 5 years. First aid/CPR certified as well as college educated if that makes a difference

Recently a family I know has asked me to babysit their 3 kids- ages 8, 6 and 6- for a weekend while they are out of town. It would be a Friday-Sunday and I would be sleeping at their house.

I've already spoken to the parents and told them I'm willing to do this.....but I'm wondering what the going rate is for this kind of sitting.....it's the first time I'll be doing overnight sitting much less for a full weekend.

The parents are also unsure what the going rate is, and I told them after speaking to a friend that has done this, that for 2 kids she was paid $100/day. I told the family whatever they feel is appropriate will work for me. This family is very generous and loving and I know they'd never pay an unrealistic amount.

I'm wondering what you guys would be willing to pay for this service if you needed it done or if you've done it before?

 

[teacherlisa1978]

I've done it a couple of times for a 1st grader and a 3rd grader, Thurs night through Sunday afternoon (during the school year so kids were occupied during the day Friday and I had a class after school Friday so didn't pick them up until 8 that night) and their teenaged brother was home Sunday afternoon but was no work for me. I got $200 for the whole thing which seemed fair.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I would call some nanny placement agencies or babysitting services and ask what the charge would be to have someone those hours. Rates vary widely with geographic location, so it is really difficult to say what is fair.

I will tell you my formula for 24 hour duty is this:
My hourly sitting rate for any hours the children are awake, plus a flat rate ($50-$75) for the overnight portion when the kids are asleep. The kids you will be watching are old enough to sleep all night, so I would probably go with the lower figure. For babies who still get up in the night I would charge more.

 

[clh2]

DH and I are going to Las Vegas next month. Now granted our DD is 16, and is LIVID that we are having a sitter. DD is the most responsible kid out there...but basically - I just need to make sure her "butt" is out of bed by 6:15 in the morning. DD will be able to drive herself to all her activities, to school, to work etc. I just don't want her home alone on school nights.

We will be paying a college senior to stay over night. I just feel better about that. This person is busy with school, homework, 2 jobs etc, I really only need her her during the night. Just in case something goes wrong.

If we wer going to be gone over a weekend - I would "schlep" DD off to a friend's house, but I just don't want to do that on school nights.

We will be paying the college student $200.

 

[disfan07]

I did this when I was 20. CPR/first aid trained, preschool/daycare teacher and 9 years babysitting experience. The family had 4 kids (15 months, 4, 6 and 9). I went over at 8 AM on saturday and left at 6PM on sunday so about 34 hours. They paid me $400 for the entire weekend. They also of course paid for any extra expenses (gas, food, activities (Pump it up, and mini golf)) They were going to pay me my hourly rate of $20/hour for the entire time but I wouldn't accept it. There was no way I was letting them pay me almost $700 for it.

 

[abdmom]

When I had adult babysitters do overnights, I paid them $150/day for long term engagements and $175-$200/day for weekend engagements.

 

[Desnik]

We were just talking about this! DH and I were wondering what we should pay our sitter to do something similar. She is 24, and a teacher, and CPR certified. Our kids are 12 and 7. I asked her what she would charge and she said what ever we want to give her. So, I came to the conclusion that $100 per day is a good amount. Our kids can take care of themselves with breakfast and bathing and both sleep through the night. So, she would really just be playing with them and giving them 2 meals a day. She doesn't cook so they would order out for dinner. I would also leave money for food so and emergencies.

OP, I think in your case I would charge $150 per day, plus money for food/ emergencies.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I think 150/day is good for 3 elementary aged kids. If it was for a baby or preschooler my rate would be 100/day per child.