How much to charge for babysitting?

Re: How much to charge for babysitting?

• SparkFish

  November 2010

  Hmmm...that's a tricky one. Whenever I have watched friends' kids, I have not gotten paid. We often "trade" babysitting instead - if I watch their kids, they watch mine in the future. If you expect to be paid, I'd bring it up ASAP so she has a chance to make other arrangements, if that's not what she was expecting. 

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• meg1974 member

  November 2010

  That is a tough one. I agree w/PP that if it's a friend they might expect it to be for free. I guess you can see if they offer, and if they don't, don't agree to do it again. You could also try something like "I usually charge X, but since we know each other I'll go lower for you." Or, you could say "We would love it if you could watch our kids next weekend as an exchange."

  
  
  
  
  

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• excitedforlittleone member

  November 2010

  I would see if they offer to pay.  If they don't and they aren't willing to return the favor I would not be sitting anymore.  Like pp have mentioned though I would "trade" sitting.

  

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• GoombaGirl_79

  November 2010

  I don't know why but when I read the post title I immediately thought of Dr. Evil saying "One meeeeelion dollars!"
  

  

  

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• Phillychickadee

  November 2010

  I agree with PP about the trade thing. I don't think I would charge my neighbor.  If she is just dropping her kids with you when you would be home with yours anyway, it isn't a big deal.

  We just started date night trades with our neighbor and it is heavenly!  They go out Friday night, we go out the next night. Awesome.  Or just dropping the kids off when we need to run errands.  Changed my life.  Definitely try to start something like that with the neighbor instead of payment!
  

  

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• febgirl member

  November 2010

  I would NOT take money from a neighbor, i think its expected that you do a favor for her, and she'll do one for you in return, ie: a trade like others have said. I mean, for 5 hours is it REALLY worth going there?? It's not like its a regular, weekly gig.

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