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what would you pay a babysitter?

TotZiensTotZiens
in Toddlers: 24 Months+

How much would should I pay a 13 year old babysitter who watches my 3 year old for a few hours once a week?

I offered her $5 an hour with a minimum of two hours (meaning if she came over for an hour, I would pay her $10, two hours $10, three hours $15).

My husband says I am a cheap-o and need to pay her a minimum of $8 an hour.

Thoughts? 

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Re: what would you pay a babysitter?

  • TotZiensTotZiens

    imagefredalina:
    A lot depends on where you live. I would pay a 17 year old $8, and a 13 year old significantly less (though frankly I wouldn't hire a 13 year old. I sat at that age and was mature for my age and I still wasn't mature enough for that responsibility... exception being if they sit at their home with their mom there to guide or if I were home in another room).

    I'm not worried about her age.  I'm either in the neighborhood (she'll take him to the park while I stay at the house) or her dad is across the street (if I leave the neighborhood, she'll take son over to her dad's house).  I'm worried about what to pay her!!! 

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  • anna7602anna7602 member
    I have no idea where you live, but $5 is laughable here. I think that might be what the going rate is for the tooth fairy in these parts...
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  • TotZiensTotZiens

    imageanna7602:
    I have no idea where you live, but $5 is laughable here. I think that might be what the going rate is for the tooth fairy in these parts...

    But the tooth fairy isn't real.  My baby sitter is! 

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  • larissa424larissa424
    I think this is a reasonable about (at least where I'm from). Especially if she not required to do naps, bath time, bedtime, etc. 
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  • jjolijjoli
    I agree, I think $5 is fine if they are just playing and it is only for a few hours.  For that age I would pay more than $7 an hour. 
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  • LoveEeyoreLoveEeyore member
    I pay my 12 y.o. mother's helper $5/hr but had to negotiate with her father (he wanted $8  and I was thinking 4 when she started 1.5 yrs ago) .She has 1-3 kids at any point but isn't alone with them.  She said her friends who do the same make $3.  So I think for sitting one child it would be fine, but she's a big girl- at 13 I mihgt tell her I am planning to pay you this.  Does that sound reasonable to you?
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  • niknak1128niknak1128 member

    First of all, I think the age is totally up to you. That's your call.  I babysat when I was 13 and I babysat ALL the time.  I never had any trouble.  I also kinda agree with you on the $5.  I mean she's only there 2-3 hours.. if she's not really having to do much but watch her or play with her.. to a 13 yr old that's probably sufficient.  If she were older.. like 17..18.. I would probably pay her more. 

    But this is coming from the girl that watched FOUR kids for FOUR years and got paid $3/hour!!  Yup.. heard me right.. I just didn't have the heart to leave because I loved the kids so much. 

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  • ryry1977ryry1977 member
    I think $10 sounds great!  I would pay the way you are saying.
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  • ridesbuttonsridesbuttons member

    Why pay an older kid more?  Are they doing more?  If the kid who cuts your grass is 13, do you pay him/her less than the 17 year old who cuts your grass?

    Don't let the girl undervalue her service, her worth.  Pay her a fair rate.

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  • ali-1411ali-1411 member
    imageridesbuttons:

    Why pay an older kid more?  Are they doing more?  If the kid who cuts your grass is 13, do you pay him/her less than the 17 year old who cuts your grass?

    Don't let the girl undervalue her service, her worth.  Pay her a fair rate.

    I pay our 13 yr old sitter $5 an hour because she has an 11pm curfew and we take her home.

    I pay the 17 yr old and the 55 yr old woman more - they get $7 an hour - because they can drive themselves and stay later.  And they have more experience.  Experience gives you more pay, in any occupation.

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  • Wally3Wally3 member

    I think $5 is fine with a minium of $10.  I had a 12 year old watch DS for an hour a week.  I had to be availalble for work but I was only downstairs if he needed me an dhis mom was in the next building or around to help out.  I pay a 13 yr old less because I expect less. They just play, they don't deal with naps bedtime or meals, they snack together and and play and maybe watch Mickey mouse clubhouse.  They should get me if they have a problem.  An older babysitter I expect to be able to handle these situations and I leave the area.  I expect them to transport themselves.


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