What is reasonable pay for a babysitter?

[specialkidsmom]

I have 2 ds (8 & 5). I have never had to pay someone to babysit either of them. My in-laws live behind us and usually keep them if we go out, or we just take them with us. But because of some issues that have come up, I will be needing someone to keep the kids this summer some while I work part time. I only work T- W -Th from 8-12.
My youngest ds has CP. He is unable to walk, sit, stand, or feed himself. He does take all of his feedings orally. but does take meds by tube 3x day. He has never stayed with anyone other than my MIL, even at church. they have to come get me from the sanctuary.
My question is what is a reasonable pay for keeping my sons, especially given my youngest ds disability? I would love to be able to find a highschool student to sit with them or two students, so that they would feel more comfortable with my youngest ds. someone that might even be able to be called to sit on fri or sat nights.
TIA for all help.

 

[Momelie]

My girls aren't special needs, but I can tell you that I pay $10/hr, and have since they were little. For a whole night out, we'd pay a flat $50. Needless to say, it didn't happen often!

If you are near a university, you might find a college student in either the college of nursing or special ed that might work out, and you'd probably feel a little more confident than with a teenager.

Good luck, and hope you find somebody fantastic! I've always said that a good babysitter is worth their weight in gold! (Kind of like a prompt plumber, y'know?)

 

[Forevryoung]

I used to babysit a child with cp although not as involved as your little one.

I have another suggestion for finding a babysitter- contact your local fire department. I've been involved with the fire department since I was 15 (I was a "junior member") and we all had CPR and first aid training. On top of that, I was already being trained to handle all sorts of different emergencies.

The "gross" part of it all was already a part of my life and I knew that I could handle it.

While hiring a 15 year old is possibly not what you are looking for (although cheaper and possibly just as mature and definitely more reliable than a 20 year old...) there may be a college student or even a retired individual who is looking for a few hours of "work" at a clip.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I like Forevryoung's suggestion of the fire station. If you're in a town with volunteer ambulance, sometimes those also have junior memberships (in my town the police department did as well -- only one person attempted to be a member of all 3, but I did fire and ambulance). Also, the Red Cross at least used to have a babysitter training course that included things like CPR and basic first aid so if there's a local red cross location, they might be able to link you up with people as well.

I also babysat someone with CP (again, not as involved as your son, although, if your son can talk then the only difference was the tube for meds). I actually met her because I helped out with her adaptive PE at school (she was 10 and I was 13. I think I was 13 or 14 during the time I babysat.). I suspect your son isn't old enough to have had that sort of connection yet, but it may be something to think about in the future.

Good luck!

ETA: $10-$15/hour sounds reasonable to me depending on how involved the work actually is with your son. (I don't know exactly what it takes to do the meds through his tube, for example) I would consider asking around other parents in the area to see what they pay for babysitting and then maybe add in a small amount if you feel like your kids will take more work.

 

[swimlib]

I charge 5 per kid non special needs (up to 3) or a flat evening fee .

Special needs is always individual. The more intense the needs, higher the pay. I give people who have allowed me to come see their kid before I dive in without them a lower rate because it allows my job to be a little easier.

 

[flying_babyb]

$6 is what I get here in wisconsin

 

[1stluvispooh]

You might also check your local Dept of MRDD for "respite" care. Or there is this new website that I found the other day care.com that has a section of people willing to sit for our special needs kids. Good luck I know it can be a hard decision.

 

[Mary976]

I used to pay $10 per hour (DD is a teen herself now). I live near a university, so I knew I needed to compete with work study wages in order to attract good college students. I agree that hiring a special ed or nursing student may be a good idea.

Mary