Going rate for a babysitter?

[HeKnowsMyName]

I've never had to really use a babysitter since we generally take the kids with us wherever we go or my parents fill in for us. They are going to be out of town so one of the teens from our church (that our kids love) is going to watch them for us tonight at her house while we go to dinner and a movie. Her Mom is going to be there or I wouldn't even consider it. I figure we'll be gone for about 3 hours. I have an 8 year old and a 2 year old. How much should I pay her? Her Mom said they don't want to take any money from us but there is no way I would let them do this for free. They are great friends of ours but I still feel like I should give them some cash. About how much?

 

[HeatherJay]

I'd probably give her at least 20 bucks...maybe 30 if it's longer than 3 hours. We usually don't pay strictly by the hour, but we try to be generous when we DO have babysitters, lol. So they'll be excited about babysitting again next time. =) If it's a younger teen, or an inexperienced babysitter, then $20-25 would probably be great in her eyes. That's what we'd give, anyway.

It's great now that mine are a little older...instead of babysitters, often they can just find a friend to hang out with for a while or spend the night with.

We're going to a concert tomorrow night, and that's the arrangements that we made (spending the night). Yay! I'm excited about my grown up night out, lol.

Hope you have fun on your date!

 

[Birbitt]

My babysitters get paid 20 if I'm gone less than 2 hours, 30 if I'm gone less than 4 hours and 40 if they are watching the boys for the "work-day" plus I feed my sitters and provide food for the children. Mind you this is if it's a Teenager watching my children. They are 4 and 5.

 

[HeKnowsMyName]

Thanks for the answers. We paid her $25 and it was about 3 hours. She didn't want it and tried to give it back but we insisted.

 

[Neenie1]

Yeah $25 is definitely enough. I would be more than happy to do some babysitting for that price (if the children were in bed and I wasn't doing a lot that is) I have 2 children on my own. I babysit for one family (that has 4 children) I won't do it for less than $15.00 hour, this is because when i have all 4, I have to find something to do with my kids (dh usually has them) and I am leaving my children behind to take care of hers.

Occasionally I might only have her 2 younger ones. (while her 2 older ones and my older one is at school) in this case I have my daughter with me, and with her 2 and mine thats 3 children under 5 and I am rushed off my feet the whole time ROFL.

 

[seamonster]

I usually pay $7-8/hour for a teenager.

 

[Rebekka]

Wow, babysitters make more money than I do. (Perhaps I should tell my boss this.)

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

I've always heard whatever minimum wage is...

 

[seamonster]

Minimum wage here is $7.50, so there you go

 

[TCat]

Yeah, we generally pay about $8 an hour. Luckily for us a dear friend, like one of the family really, often sits for us for free, we pay her with handyman jobs around her house, having her over for dinner ofen etc.. Thank goodness, otherwise we would never get to go out!

 

[New Creation]

We pay our 13 year old babysitter $6.00 an hour, which is what she would make as an under-16 if she were working at any other job.

 

[clycleader]

We paid our sitter $8 an hour last summer. SHe came to our house and babysat my son for about 10 hours a week while I worked. It was worth it to have her come to us adn not have to drive to get her and drop her off and it was worth it to have my son at home where I knew he was safe, happy and could nap in his own bed. Now we'll soon have a baby in addition to my 3 year old. I think we'll have to increase her salary.