Paying a babysitter for a weekend

[Katy Belle]

She may be expecting $600+ if you normally pay her $200 a night. I would probably ask her, or offer her $600.

 

[Tiffylv]

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[Carina]

I asked her today. She wanted $700 and that sounded fair to me so I agreed.

WHOLEY CRAP that is a TON of money!

I could not imagine asking 1/2 that much from a single mom of a pretty self sufficient kid.

Seems more like the going rate for 2 year old triplets for a weekend.

 

[robinb]

I asked her today. She wanted $700 and that sounded fair to me so I agreed.


Something I forgot to mention that affects the higher amount of money I pay is that if there is some sort of emergency my sitter is truly on her own, at least until I can get there. My sons father has had no contact, I don't speak to my parents, and I have no siblings. Of course when I'm out to dinner or whatever I will come right home if she calls me to, but for an out of town trip she may have to wait quite some time.

Wow. I'm glad you think it's fair because that is pretty ridiculous if you ask me. That's a premium no matter if you use her $10 per hour or her $200 per overnight . Finding a sitter that you know and trust enough to take care of your child overnight and over a weekend if worth her weight in gold, but I think she's taking advantage of you.

 

[nugov2]

Wow. I'm glad you think it's fair because that is pretty ridiculous if you ask me. That's a premium no matter if you use her $10 per hour or her $200 per overnight . Finding a sitter that you know and trust enough to take care of your child overnight and over a weekend if worth her weight in gold, but I think she's taking advantage of you.

Even though I think that is a lot of money to pay for a weekend, I don't think she is taking advantage. The OP offered $200 for overnight so she set the price. They are both happy with the amount and just b/c OP is a single mom, doesn't mean she doesn't have the money to spend. I don't think she would have offered so much if she couldn't afford it. As long as both people are happy IMO there is nothing wrong with the price.

My friend doesn't have a 4 year degree and teaches preschool and makes $16 an hour. I don't even think people at McDonalds get paid $10 an hour anymore around here.

 

[robinb]

Even though I think that is a lot of money to pay for a weekend, I don't think she is taking advantage. The OP offered $200 for overnight so she set the price. They are both happy with the amount and just b/c OP is a single mom, doesn't mean she doesn't have the money to spend. I don't think she would have offered so much if she couldn't afford it. As long as both people are happy IMO there is nothing wrong with the price.

The OP does seem to be happy with the price. I personally think that $700 for 61 hours of sitting (with at least 24 hours when the child *and* the sitter is asleep) is excessive.

My friend doesn't have a 4 year degree and teaches preschool and makes $16 an hour. I don't even think people at McDonalds get paid $10 an hour anymore around here.

People at McDonalds and at a preschool pay taxes on their salary too. I wouldn't be surprised if this was all in cash and under the table.

 

[danygirl]

Honestly I think that us fair. She gives up her whole weekend and has no backup and must deal with any crisis herself. You get what you pay for and it sounds like op has found a mature person she trusts.

 

[danygirl]

I think 700 is reasonable to hire a mature adult who will be responsible for a child with ADHD for a weekend. Op wanted this person and that is what they charged. Fwiw. I was paid 100 for the weekend in 1979.

Don't be so sure it is under the table. Op is traveling on business and may be giving a 1099

Finally. Op has an interest in a long term relationship with this sitter because she has no family backup. Pay too little and she would lose that and might not have a weekend sitter next time she needs one

 

[nugov2]

I think 700 is reasonable to hire a mature adult who will be responsible for a child with ADHD for a weekend. Op wanted this person and that is what they charged. Fwiw. I was paid 100 for the weekend in 1979.

Don't be so sure it is under the table. Op is traveling on business and may be giving a 1099

Finally. Op has an interest in a long term relationship with this sitter because she has no family backup. Pay too little and she would lose that and might not have a weekend sitter next time she needs one

I babysat for a college professor when I was in college and they did report it. I don't think that is uncommon when it is a large amount of money.

 

[Tiffylv]

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[Alesia]

First off, it isn't under the table. I pay her a lot...with this $700 we will already be up to $870 for the year and it's only January. This wasn't a typical month at all...some months I pay her $0...it just depends what I have going on. But no, this isn't cash under the table.

I don't feel like $700 is excessive. He isn't self sufficient. I said in another post that he's a great sleeper....but I also said he has ADHD and is hard to handle. The waking hours can be a nightmare, or they can be fine and there's no telling what kind of days he will have while I'm out of state. Twice in the past she's called and asked me to come home because of his behavior...if that happens while I'm out of the state I can't do anything other than talk to him over the phone.

I have zero family support and before her I had no outside support whatsoever. From when he was 16 months old until he was 6 years old and I found her I never left the house aside from going to work. Ever. I feel so fortunate that I have found someone who is great with my son and that I trust to take care of him so I can see my friends again and have a little time to myself. I'm not going to lose her over a few hundred dollars for a weekend trip. I honestly would have paid her a thousand dollars if that's what she wanted.

I think it's fantastic that you have someone whom you appreciate so much. I cannot fathom why some people here feel that they know more about your situation than you do.

 

[robinb]

I think it's fantastic that you have someone whom you appreciate so much. I cannot fathom why some people here feel that they know more about your situation than you do.

Well, she DID ask for advise ...

I'm looking for opinions on what to pay a babysitter for a weekend. Let me start off by saying I'm fairly new to the babysitting game. I am a single mom to a 7 year old son. He has ADHD and can be hard to handle sometimes. For a long time I did not have a sitter that I trusted, but last year he started to get close with a teacher at his daycare. She is very good with him and now sits for us fairly often. I have had her sit overnight before, but I was wondering what others think is a fair wage for the whole weekend while I have to go out of tone for work. It would be from Friday at 6:00pm until Monday at 7:30am (when he goes to school, I would be back in time to pick him up from school).

He does have basketball practice for an hour on Saturday, but that's the only thing. The rest of the time I don't care if she takes him on errands she needs to run or anything like that. I would stock the fridge/freezer before I go and leave money for probably one meal out. I don't expect any extra cleaning other than any mess, dishes, etc that they make/use. No pets or anything like that to take care of.

Has anyone done this before? Any advice welcome. Thanks!

I can't fathom why some people ask for advise and then get all worked up when they get it.

 

[Tiffylv]

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[robinb]

I'm not worked up, just explaining my situation.

I asked for advice and I really appreciate the advice I was given. Before I asked for advice I was going to offer $800 and was actually concerned it may not be enough. By asking advice I realized I may be offering too much and just decided to ask my sitter her price. So by asking advice on this thread I saved at least $100.

I understand people who are paying $250 for a weekend sitter are not in the same situation I am. Just like there are other people who cannot have a sitter at all because of the severity of the issues their kids face. I know because I used to be one of those people.

I am genuinely glad that you're happy with your sitter and your price .

 

[Alesia]

Well, she DID ask for advise ...



I can't fathom why some people ask for advise and then get all worked up when they get it.

She did ask for advice. And she took it into account. When she reported back that a mutually satisfying decision has been made, you felt the need to tell her that she was being taken advantage of and also stated that she is probably committing tax fraud. I guess I'm just having difficulty seeing how that is helpful. In fact, it seemed to me that it was specifically intended to make the OP feel bad about her decision. But maybe I'm reading it wrong.

 

[robinb]

She did ask for advice. And she took it into account. When she reported back that a mutually satisfying decision has been made, you felt the need to tell her that she was being taken advantage of and also stated that she is probably committing tax fraud. I guess I'm just having difficulty seeing how that is helpful. In fact, it seemed to me that it was specifically intended to make the OP feel bad about her decision. But maybe I'm reading it wrong.

You must have missed my last post .

 

[Alesia]

You must have missed my last post .

Yes, I was typing while you posted. But I was referring to your previous posts. I'm glad to see that you have had a change of heart.

 

[LSchrow]

I feel so fortunate that I have found someone who is great with my son and that I trust to take care of him so I can see my friends again and have a little time to myself.

that is wonderful
especially when there isn't familial support, finding someone who you trust with your child (& whom your child loves) is priceless.

try to find some time to yourself while away, knowing your son is in safe hands

 

[Tiffylv]

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