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Going rate for babysitter who is also a friend?

beachgirl24beachgirl24 member
in Babies: 6 - 9 Months
We've had a friend watch our LO a few times, usually for about 3-5 hours, and the first time we gave her a $30 gift card, the next time we tried to give her $35 and she refused, because it was my birthday.  Tomorrow is our anniversary and we will probably be out for about 4-5 hours.  I was thinking $8/hr is reasonable but I really have no idea what babysitters are paid these days, is it usually more than that?  I dont want to take advantage of her just because she's our friend but when I asked her what she thought was a reasonable rate she just kind of dodges it, I think she wants to do it kind of as a favor for us too but I can't see not compensating her somehow for sacrificing her Saturday night.  Suggestions?
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                           (Same birthday, 2 years apart!)
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Re: Going rate for babysitter who is also a friend?

  • jmw222jmw222 member
    Our babysitter is $12/hr.  I used to get $8/hr when I was babysitting 10+ years ago.  It may also depend on the area you live in.
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  • mplesset23mplesset23 member
    I think the going rate is about $10, but I luckily haven't had to use anyone, but family yet to watch our LO.
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  • Beara0475Beara0475 member
    We paid our babysitter $7.25.  We told her we didn't have the money to pay her more or else we would have.  She was a college graduate and working on her masters as well. 
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  • bonitatinabina143bonitatinabina143 member
    Depends on the area but I'd say $10/hr is reasonable. I would get paid 7-8 in high school. I live in new york and am a sitter here regularly and would get $15/hr for two kids and $18/hr for three.
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  • mld55mld55

    I really do think it depends on the area you are from. I live in a small, rural, Midwestern area. Most high school and college kids here charge around $5 an hour. I think this goes for most day cares too. I can remember babysitting as a kid 8-3:30 and get $30 a week!! (What was I thinking?!?) My sister -in-law is a nanny closer to the west coast and get's paid around $12 an hour. 

    If you think she will refuse payment I would suggest getting her a gift card to her favorite store, restaurant, coffee shop etc.

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  • FianschneidFianschneid member

    I have an adult friend who offers to babysit once in awhile so DH and I can go to dinner. She will not accept payment and I think it would be weird to give her cash.

    We make our reservation after DD goes to bed so that friend doesn't actively have to do anything. She's just an adult in the house while DD sleeps. I buy her favorite sushi, a bottle of wine and make a dessert. I also always send her a hand written thank you note the next day.

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  • beachgirl24beachgirl24 member
    imageFianschneid:

    I have an adult friend who offers to babysit once in awhile so DH and I can go to dinner. She will not accept payment and I think it would be weird to give her cash.

    We make our reservation after DD goes to bed so that friend doesn't actively have to do anything. She's just an adult in the house while DD sleeps. I buy her favorite sushi, a bottle of wine and make a dessert. I also always send her a hand written thank you note the next day.

    Yes, good ideas thank you!   The gift card is what we did the first time--it was kind of awkward, where we wanted to compensate her but we could tell she didnt really want to accept it, so we just got her a $30 gift card to Dunkin Donuts (she loves their coffee) and told her she had to take it. We tried to give her $$ last time and she refused. So I was trying to gauge what the average hourly rate might be and then maybe we'll give her a gift card for that amount to somewhere.  I did send her a thank you last time too.  Thank you!

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                               (Same birthday, 2 years apart!)
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  • brewcitybridebrewcitybride
    My babysitter is a co-worker who refuses, absolutely refuses to accept payment from me. I usually stock the house with her favorite foods when she is sitting, and then I usually give her a bottle of wine or something to take home, and I'll buy her lunch at work. Otherwise, I think $10/hour is the going rate around this Midwestern city.
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  • JenWhite123JenWhite123 member

    We haven't had to hire a sitter yet, we've only needed one a few times and my MIL watched DD.

    I think $8-10 is the going rate her.  If you have someone you trust, and they're an adult, I would pay at least $10 an hr.  Your child is priceless, and having the peace of mind is totally worth it.

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  • kbm2009kbm2009 member
    I really think it depends on where you live.  I am from NYC and could never pay 8 an hour- a babysitter ranges from 15-18/hr. 
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