Question related to "babysitter duties" ...

mitchelltheojua

Hey folks,

 So thanks for those of you who suggested sittercity ... we found someone that we hope will work well for us ... I am teaching an undergraduate course at a local university on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and so I just really needed someone for about 6 hours a week. 

 Anywho ... this is our first child and so I have never used a sitter but I'm wondering what her duties should be ... other than, getting baby fed, playing w/baby, changing baby, etc. I don't need her to clean for instance, but I'm wondering if it would be too much to ask that she wash bottles when she's finished w/them, whether its would be too much to ask that she pick up "cat yack" in the event that one of our cats throws up, etc.

 Would that sorta stuff be considered "light house work" and thus she should be paid more or is that kinda stuff something that would fall under the purview of "baby sitting" ... normal duties that would go along w/a baby sitting job?

 Essentially, what shoud I expect that she do while sitting for my lo? TIA

ka2shaz

I would think that bottle washing would be within baby sitting responsibilities, but not the "cat yack"

hikerbeth

When my DD had a nanny for full days while I was working, I asked her to do "baby related" tasks. . . throw a load of diapers or baby clothes in the wash, wash bottles, clean baby toys, make baby food, etc.  She did *not* have "baby chores" every day.  I didn't expect her to do any other household chores.

For casual babysitters (ie: a few hours at a time) I appreciate it if they have DD help pick up toys at the end of the job and rinse out bottles/put dishes in sink, but I don't expect it.

The nanny got $15/hr and our babysitter gets $10/hr.

Just make sure you spell it out and I'd think any "chores" would count for a little more $$.

mitchelltheojua

Okay ... thanks folks ... just want to be clear on what I should expect ... thanks!

feverof103

If they're only working six hours a week I would really limit any extra duties (outside of tending to the LO) to baby related stuff. And personally, I would keep it really simple - put up/clean toys, wash used bottles, and that's about it.

Oohlalalala

You should also note if baby is sick and needy all day that you expect nothing, but having a sleepy day a little help with bottles/tidying baby stuff would be much appreciated.  You should tie payment to any additional duties if you want to ask for more- like "I'll pay you a dollar more an hour if you do xyz" but i would never ask for so much that your baby loses bc she is rushing around trying to do tasks, you know?  

 i do recommend getting her to help if there's time-it helps a ton and is worth it to us to pay for it!