What to pay a baby sitter?

[mks18412]

I am the original poster... I would NEVER leave my 10 yr to babysit. She hasnt even stayed home by herself yet. But thanks for all the responses.

 

[davedmaine]

I might pay a teen sitter $7 an hour, I would pay an adult (18 yrs +) $10 an hour. I don't feel that teen babysitters should make more than minimum wage, it is a pretty cushy gig, usually .

Exactly. They're only watching and protecting your kids.

 

[ampc3]

I might pay a teen sitter $7 an hour, I would pay an adult (18 yrs +) $10 an hour. I don't feel that teen babysitters should make more than minimum wage, it is a pretty cushy gig, usually .

In your example of a 9 and 10 year old staying home alone is perfectly legal where I live in MD. But the OP stated she has a 10 and 2 year old. This is different. In my state this is not allowed. A child must be 13 to watch anyone younger than 8.

I pay my sitters between 8-15 an hour depending on their experience.

I too pay based on age and what is expected ... dinner, bedtime etc.. or just entertain them until you get home KWIM....

 

[arihillfarm]

This isn't the same situation at all. This is not parents making their older child change plans to babysit the younger sibling. Sorry that happened to you, that was not very considerate of you parents to do that to you on a regular basis. This appears to be parents who rarely go out, due to the fact that she is asking how much to pay a sitter. The 10 year old is going to be at home anyway, she doesn't have plans with friends she is going to have to cancel to babysit. The options are pay a babysitter for the 2 kids or let the older child babysit the younger one. One option would be humiliating to the 10 year old (and I do have a 10 year old!), the other option would be empowering to her. I don't know of any 10 year old who would not be embarrassed to death to have a babysitter. I have a 9 & 10 year old and both of them would think I was nuts if I tried to hire a sitter for them! If your children that age are not capable of caring for themselves you are doing something seriously wrong! This once again highlights to problem of parents treating their children like babies far too long. Ask your grandparents generation if a 10 year old should be capable of caring for a 2 year old for a couple of hours. This is a 2 year old not a 2 month old and the parents are going to be gone a couple of hours not a couple of days! And no it is not illegal! There are only 2 states that have any law at all regarding what age children need to be to stay home alone and even in those 2 laws there is lots of wiggle room.

I don't know, my 12 year old loves it when we get a babysitter since they are often 3-4 years older than she is and she loves having an older teen girl to hang out with. My daughter is responsible enough to stay by herself, but I'd never ask her to babysit her younger siblings (4 and almost 2) for more than a few min. while we're away. She does babysit while I'm out in the barn doing chores, mowing, etc. She and my 4 year old don't always get along so well and he's well aware that she is his sister and not an adult authority figure, so any sideways glance from her and he thinks his sister is being a big meanie and drama ensues.

-Astrid

 

[scrapquitler]

What is the average pay for a baby sitter? My kids are 10 yr old dd and 2 yr old ds. My son is partially potty trained if this makes a difference. I do NOT want them to do any cleaning just watch the kids while me and dh go out to dinner. I live in GA.

I think you need to ask around in your local area, because it varies greatly. I live in CT, and I would expect to pay at least $10 per hour. I have a 16 year old and a 9 year old, and I pay my 16 year old $5 per hour to watch her brother (and have done so since she was 11 or 12 once she took the Red Cross Class), but if I had to pay an outside teen or an adult, I would never expect to pay that little.

 

[jessica52877]

I got paid $15/hour 15 years ago (in Georgia). I was 18-21 at the time.

I have a 10 year old, no way would I leave him alone let alone babysit. He would LOVE to have a babysitter!

 

[bumbershoot]

The options are pay a babysitter for the 2 kids or let the older child babysit the younger one. One option would be humiliating to the 10 year old (and I do have a 10 year old!), the other option would be empowering to her. I don't know of any 10 year old who would not be embarrassed to death to have a babysitter. I have a 9 & 10 year old and both of them would think I was nuts if I tried to hire a sitter for them! If your children that age are not capable of caring for themselves you are doing something seriously wrong! This once again highlights to problem of parents treating their children like babies far too long. Ask your grandparents generation if a 10 year old should be capable of caring for a 2 year old for a couple of hours.

I was in charge at home at 9 out of necessity and because my mom could not afford a quality sitter. This was in the late 70s and even then it was VERY unusual. It's not something I was to talk about.

The babysitting courses generally start at 12, not 9. And having been that nine year old, I agree. They might feel good about it at the time, but the reality is that they are just too young.

My grandmother thought it was a good idea to drug her kids with laudanum for road trips so they wouldn't bother her. My good grandma let her husband smoke in the house despite having a child who was asthmatic from babyhood, and would make the same child eat ALL the food on her plate until she literally threw it up (this apparently was better than giving her less food) I don't do what my grandparents did.



We had a teen sitter for my 8 year old last month, fed her good pizza and paid her 10 and hour, and it was money well spent. She deserved it and earned it.

 

[MSSANDRA]

It sounds like you have not used a sitter a lot or have an established one. You might like to make an effort to, find, train and keep a really good sitter you will be able to trust and enjoy! I was a "choice" sitter as a teen and I could choose my families. To get a good sitter, you have to treat her well. I think for a 4 hour night, 30.00-40.00 dollars is a fair amount. I would not expect her to give up her evening for less than 3-4 hours. I would prep the house to have it easier for her, lots of extra clothes for the toddlers or even use pull-ups for her first time. Have PJ's out, snacks available and dinner ready. If you do pizza, have it arrive before you leave. Maybe set up an art project or have a new movie to watch. Don't ask her to do baths. I would not hire anyone under 15 for a night time job.

BTW- I would never leave a 10 year old at home alone at night, much less in charge of a toddler). I think DS was about 10 the first time we left him home alone for about 1/2 hour during the day time.

 

[chuckabone]

I pay my "extra eye's" 10 bucks per hour. My kiddo's are 10-10 and 12. Normally the 12 year old is with me (medical stuff) that's why. They really don't need a "sitter" I am not gone that long. However we live in the country and you would be suprise the number of people who will stop in our drive to do things like look for thier missing dog, orthey run out of gas get a flat etc and will come to our door. I don't want them to deal with that so, they get to hang with the much cooler than mom girl down the road and we are happy.

 

[thebeesknees]

We live in CO and I pay my sitter $10/hr for 3 kids. Must be OK, she never gave me a figure when I asked, just said, "Oh, whatever you feel like!". She always seems eager to come when I ask if she's available, so we must not be underpaying her for the area average. She's going to college last year and I'll be sorry to see her go; my kids love her.

 

[mks18412]

It sounds like you have not used a sitter a lot or have an established one. You might like to make an effort to, find, train and keep a really good sitter you will be able to trust and enjoy! I was a "choice" sitter as a teen and I could choose my families. To get a good sitter, you have to treat her well. I think for a 4 hour night, 30.00-40.00 dollars is a fair amount. I would not expect her to give up her evening for less than 3-4 hours. I would prep the house to have it easier for her, lots of extra clothes for the toddlers or even use pull-ups for her first time. Have PJ's out, snacks available and dinner ready. If you do pizza, have it arrive before you leave. Maybe set up an art project or have a new movie to watch. Don't ask her to do baths. I would not hire anyone under 15 for a night time job.

BTW- I would never leave a 10 year old at home alone at night, much less in charge of a toddler). I think DS was about 10 the first time we left him home alone for about 1/2 hour during the day time.

No, my children have never had a sitter before. I was thinking I would ask a younger (adult) nursery worker at church. I would provide dinner and junk food. No cleaning or chores to do. I wouldnt even want her to put them in the bed. For the first couple of times it would only be for 1.5 hrs max. Enough time for a dinner with DH down the road.... I would never leave my 10 yr old in charge. She hasnt even been left at home alone before. That would be a crisis waiting to happen!

 

[nchulka]

I was in charge at home at 9 out of necessity and because my mom could not afford a quality sitter. The babysitting courses generally start at 12, not 9. And having been that nine year old, I agree. They might feel good about it at the time, but the reality is that they are just too young.

No one said anything about leaving a 9/10 year old to be in charge of younger siblings while mom works. This does not appear to be something that is going to be a regular thing. Of course that kind of burden should not be put on a 9 year old, but as you say your mother was in a desperate situation. This mother is not, she just wants an occasional few hours out to dinner with her husband. The kids would be perfectly fine on their own for that.

 

[nchulka]

I would never leave my 10 yr old in charge. She hasnt even been left at home alone before. That would be a crisis waiting to happen!

Why? Have you done such a terrible job raising her that she is totally inept? I can't imagine, other than disabilities, why a 10 year old would not be able to stay home alone for a couple of hours? Why would that be a disaster waiting to happen? Kids should be given increasing freedom over the years. You are treating your 10 year old and 2 year old the same. No a 2 year old cannot be left home alone, but a 10 year old can and should. They need to be given ever increasing responsibility and independence. She should have been left home alone for small bits, 15 minutes while you bike in the neighborhood, 10 minutes while you run to get milk by 7 or so and it should then gradually increase. By 10 she should be capable of staying home with the 2 year old while you are gone for 2 hours to dinner. It's is so disheartening to see parents constantly underestimate their children and hold them back. No one wants their kids to grow up!

 

[nuke]

Why? Have you done such a terrible job raising her that she is totally inept? I can't imagine, other than disabilities, why a 10 year old would not be able to stay home alone for a couple of hours? Why would that be a disaster waiting to happen? Kids should be given increasing freedom over the years. You are treating your 10 year old and 2 year old the same. No a 2 year old cannot be left home alone, but a 10 year old can and should. They need to be given ever increasing responsibility and independence. She should have been left home alone for small bits, 15 minutes while you bike in the neighborhood, 10 minutes while you run to get milk by 7 or so and it should then gradually increase. By 10 she should be capable of staying home with the 2 year old while you are gone for 2 hours to dinner. It's is so disheartening to see parents constantly underestimate their children and hold them back. No one wants their kids to grow up!

Wow. Judgmental much?

You don't know this family. You don't know how the 2 year old is. Some are handfuls, some are easy peasy. If the OP feels she needs a sitter then she needs a sitter not a lesson on leaving her kids to fend for themselves.

OP If you lived near me my 15 year old would be happy to sit for $10 an hour. That's the going rate around here.

 

[Poohforyou]

Why? Have you done such a terrible job raising her that she is totally inept? I can't imagine, other than disabilities, why a 10 year old would not be able to stay home alone for a couple of hours? Why would that be a disaster waiting to happen? Kids should be given increasing freedom over the years. You are treating your 10 year old and 2 year old the same. No a 2 year old cannot be left home alone, but a 10 year old can and should. They need to be given ever increasing responsibility and independence. She should have been left home alone for small bits, 15 minutes while you bike in the neighborhood, 10 minutes while you run to get milk by 7 or so and it should then gradually increase. By 10 she should be capable of staying home with the 2 year old while you are gone for 2 hours to dinner. It's is so disheartening to see parents constantly underestimate their children and hold them back. No one wants their kids to grow up!

I wasn't left home alone at 7 & I didn't leave my own child home at that age either. I can't imagine ever doing that for any reason. My child is now a very self sufficient 13 yo so obviously I didn't stunt her growth.

Op, I paid sitters about $10 an hour & used them until dd was about 11.

 

[declansdad]

I'd pay the 10 year old 2.00 an hour to watch the 2 year old

Not only is this wrong but it is cheap too!

 

[mks18412]

Why? Have you done such a terrible job raising her that she is totally inept? I can't imagine, other than disabilities, why a 10 year old would not be able to stay home alone for a couple of hours? Why would that be a disaster waiting to happen? Kids should be given increasing freedom over the years. You are treating your 10 year old and 2 year old the same. No a 2 year old cannot be left home alone, but a 10 year old can and should. They need to be given ever increasing responsibility and independence. She should have been left home alone for small bits, 15 minutes while you bike in the neighborhood, 10 minutes while you run to get milk by 7 or so and it should then gradually increase. By 10 she should be capable of staying home with the 2 year old while you are gone for 2 hours to dinner. It's is so disheartening to see parents constantly underestimate their children and hold them back. No one wants their kids to grow up!

This made me laugh!! U dont know me one bit and have raked my post over the coals. I asked about payment for a babysitter not parenting styles. Its so disheartening to see parents pushing for their kids to grow up. They are only little for so long. You should enjoy every minute of their childhood. Happy Valentines Day!

 

[pocomom]

This made me laugh!! U dont know me one bit and have raked my post over the coals. I asked about payment for a babysitter not parenting styles. Its so disheartening to see parents pushing for their kids to grow up. They are only little for so long. You should enjoy every minute of their childhood. Happy Valentines Day!

Couldn't agree more. I would guess you may know more about what YOUR child needs than anyone else posting Good luck in finding a great and affordable sitter!

 

[pocomom]

Not only is this wrong but it is cheap too!

Glad I'm not the only one thinking that!

 

[flateacher]

I live in FLA and we also pay $10/hr. I have a ten year old and four year old.

I would like to agree the original question was about babysitter pay and not parenting styles... BUT... My ten year old has also never been left home alone even for 10 minutes.

Not because I do not trust her or think she is incapable. Sadly we do not live in the world we grew up in or that our parents grew up in.

I am not protecting her from herself by getting an older babysitter.... I am protecting her from the WORLD that might seize on a situation where a young child/children are left alone with no one else around to help....