November 2011 Moms
TomsShugShug
member
Babysitting advice
TomsShugShug
member
Ok, so I watch a one year old multiples times a week (average around 5 days a week) and for any where from 9-12 hours a day. I didn't know I would be watching her for such long hours when I agreed to watch her and for the rate we agreed on. See, we agreed on $200 a month. Now over 2 months into this, I realize I'm being extremely under paid. Now here's where I need advice. How do I tactfully go about asking for more money and what do you think the average going rate is for in home child care. I've never had my daughter in daycare and have only left her with family, so I don't even know what I would expect to pay. TIA!
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Re: Babysitting advice
I think you need to sit her down and explain that you are watching her more days and more hours than initially discussed and you deserve to be paid for that time. My guess is that she knows she is underpaying you and that she thinks she's getting a great deal, some days she isn't even paying you $1/hour! Good luck!
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Oh wow! To echo everyone else, you are being very underpaid! To get the best idea for going rates/hours, call around to people who offer babysitting to find out what they are charging. It's different in different places. In the city, I would have to pay about $150 per week or $195 for an infant. Some places do have kids for 12 hours depending on the parent's commute. If you happen to know the commute time and hours worked don't add up to 12 hours, then you can assume that the parents are choosing to get errands done while the child is in your care.
To start the conversation you can say "I've worked out the numbers, and I won't be able to keep watching your child at the current rate. It isn't putting food on my table. I would love to keep caring for your child, but I would need to charge $25 per day for 12 hours of work." You should think about having a contract with the parents, especially if a new rate is agreed upon. This protects your getting the monies due to you, as well as the parents knowing you won't just up and stop services without proper notification (unless you become ill). Also, in the contract, you can put a waiver of liability should the child be hurt or need medical attention while in your care.
Just trying to look out for you! My mom has done child care for 24 years. There are certainly some people who try to walk all over care givers. Don't let anyone take advantage of you!