Watching someone elses child - question...

Aud2314

I usually lurk, so I'll introduce myself quick. I'm Audrey, my DD is 9 months. Her name is Savannah. I was on the knot years ago under a diff screen name, so many of you I recognize from wedding planning!

Anyways... My quick question is that a friend of mine is looking for someone to watch her son come Sept. I'm a SAHM, and some extra cash would be nice. It would only be wed- fri from 7ish-3ish (she is a teacher). I had no clue what to charge since I dont pay for daycare. I will have her 6mo and my 11mo. She did some research and said the rate for most daycare is around $40/day which they provide food and all that. So she is thinking $80/week. (25 thur/fri and 30 for wed as it would be a bit longer.). That equals out to $320 a month.

Does this seem appropriate? Or what people charge? It seems like very little considering that I will have two kids under 1... Just curious what you all thought. I'm trying to figure out if that little amount is worth my energy for two babies haha.

BSJMM

I charged my SIL $40 a day when I watched her daughter (my niece) from the time she was 3 months old to 10 months old. They supplied her formula and diapers, and I supplied solid food.

My best friend charges me $50 to watch my 2 year old. I supply diapers, she supplies food & milk and TONS of fun.

I think both cases were very fair.

Seattle_JiLLn

It might be fair, but it doesn't seem worth it IMO.  That's a lot of work for only $320 extra a month.  It pretty much means you can't do activities with your own child on those days - no swim lessons or Little Gym or whatever.  It would also be hard to do things like go to the grocery store or do errands.   

mrssmith717

My friend watched DD from 7-12 last year and I paid her $35 a day.  I think $40-50 a day is fair.  Would you be doing it because you really care about this friend and want to help her out?  Or would you be doing it to make extra money?  If it's to help a friend, do it.  If it's for extra cash, it might be more trouble than it's worth.

BriAndSean

That sounds low to me. We paid just over $1k monthly for 3 days a week in a center. Same hours too. Infant care is expensive because the ratios are so low. Personally, I would charge more unless this is a short-termm favor for a friend.

Nancy_Drew

Yeah, to low! For under age one, centers and home care alike are around $50 a day. We paid that and no food was provided other than snacks.

even now at ages 4 and in preschool it's $ 38 a day and age 2 is $44 a day. We provide lunch for both and diapers for the little guy.

To be fair to you, I wouldn't go below $40 a day. You are doing her a favor, since most people I know have a hard time finding part time childcare. my SIL wants 2x a week but she is required to pay for 3. Then when she wants to use that 3rd day, they say they have another child in that spot. Crazy!

EDIT- typo ...fixed to say "wouldn't go below..."

kar5162

With 2 kids, you're really talking about what is effectively a nanny share, not a daycare situation (1:4 at the under 1 level).  That's closer to $8/hour (when split between 2 families) and $50+ a day.  She's getting more 1:1 attention for her child than she'd get in a daycare and more flexibility.  7-3 is also really a full day so I don't know why she'd think she should discount it from $40 to $25.  With that, it's really up to you.  If you want to do her a favor, then I'd think about discounting it to $7ish per hour, if not, no way.

I can see doing a more discounted rate if you were only going to be doing it short term - for a few weeks or so, but if she's looking at this for a longer term option, I wouldn't discount your time so much.  As a PP said, having a second child around will definitely limit your ability to get out, take classes, etc.

JodiLinn503

$40/day seems really low. We had a friend watch DD during the school year and paid her $8 an hour. She had her own daughter and ours.

MSTie24

Ditto everyone else, it's not worth it unless it's a short term favor.  That seems like a LOT of extra hassle for less than $4 an hour.  

ICanHazCheezBurgr

MSTie24:

Ditto everyone else, it's not worth it unless it's a short term favor.  That seems like a LOT of extra hassle for less than $4 an hour.  

Wow...when you break it down per hour that seems like nothing! 

DAWNNA76

I pay my sister to watch my boys for 24 hours a week (over the course of 4 days) $100 a week.

 

granted they are both over the age of 1. I would pay more if they were infants, as I think babies are more work than toddlers. I would at least ask $100 a week if I were in your shoes