Babysitting Rate

Rachel623 · June 2014

Hello ladies. I've been around for a while but rarely post because I can't bump at work and it's a pain in my phone. So long time lurker who rarely posts here.

I am curious about the going rates for babysitters. I'm going to have my coworker's thirteen year old daughter watch LO for a couple hours while I am home but cleaning, doing chores, etc. They will just play in the den. How much should I offer to pay her?

Thanks in advance.

none5 · June 2014

I just did this the other day, and I gave her $10 for the 2 hours she was here. I don't know if that is the going rate, but it was what I had and she seemed happy with it.

pinottoparenthood · June 2014

A 13-year-old? Maybe $7/hour. But it is probably a good idea to ask her (if she has done this before) what she normally charges before she actually comes over to help you out.

MsAmeera25 · June 2014

I would give her a flat $20 and a cupcake $:\$ ">

Angela814 · June 2014

This is really going to vary by region. I generally pay $6-7/hr for one child, $8/hr for two, and $10/hr for three. That's if we're gone.

ChicagoBroad26 · June 2014

Ah, remember I live in Chicago. I give the high school girl $12 per hour and our adult babysitters (out of college) $15 per hour.

tondraluv · June 2014

I pay my sister in law or cousin (18 and 19) $35 for three hours when we have date night. So what's that like $10 something an hour?

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love4b · June 2014

In NYC the going rate for babysitters is the entirety of your 401K + 10%. Just kidding (kinda).

For your situation, I like the $20 and a cupcake suggestion

pinottoparenthood · June 2014

@CoffeeMonster19 I can tell we're in the same state!

JSS1002 · June 2014

Going rate around here is $12 ish an hour but if I was going to be home I would say less -- $8-10?

MsAmeera25 · June 2014

You guys are generous $13 an hour for a thirteen year old to play with the baby. For $13 she can do the chores and I will play with the baby.

hatroopes · June 2014

Why does it matter if you're home? Should pay be different for this reason? Just curious

MsAmeera25 · June 2014

hatroopes said:
Why does it matter if you're home? Should pay be different for this reason? Just curious

I'm basising pay on age guess that isn't any better lol I feel like a 13 year old would be happy with $20 for hanging out with the baby. She is 13 so she can't have the full baby watching responsibilty so no full time pay.

hatroopes · June 2014

MsAmeera25 said:

Why does it matter if you're home? Should pay be different for this reason? Just curious
I'm basising pay on age guess that isn't any better lol I feel like a 13 year old would be happy with $20 for hanging out with the baby. She is 13 so she can't have the full baby watching responsibilty so no full time pay.

$20 sounds reasonable for a 13y/o for 2 hours...just wasn't sure if being home also meant less pay and if that mattered

Rachel623 · June 2014

hatroopes said:

MsAmeera25 said:

hatroopes said:
Why does it matter if you're home? Should pay be different for this reason? Just curious
I'm basising pay on age guess that isn't any better lol I feel like a 13 year old would be happy with $20 for hanging out with the baby. She is 13 so she can't have the full baby watching responsibilty so no full time pay.

$20 sounds reasonable for a 13y/o for 2 hours...just wasn't sure if being home also meant less pay and if that mattered

I don't know if it matters that I will be home so I was just throwing that fact out there.

I guess the difference between being home and not are that I will change diapers and be there if she needs me. The babysitter wants to get more experience with kids so she can actually babysit and I'm thrilled to have a couple hours to get stuff done. Bonus is that LO will have a blast.

Thanks for all the input

Rachel623 · June 2014

I told you guys I suck at bumping. I didn't mean to put the quotes in there.

pinottoparenthood · June 2014

I think you pay someone based on their experience and competency. A new employee who needs someone with them all the time to do the job and is still "in training" is not going to make as much as someone more experienced. I think that's the issuemuch more so than whether you are home or away from the house.

JSS1002 · June 2014

hatroopes said:
Why does it matter if you're home? Should pay be different for this reason? Just curious

Well in my mind, if I'm home I'm still "on call" for the hard stuff or meltdowns and the sitter is really just keeping child occupied and/or playing with him or her.

katie6/26/04 · June 2014

Wow, i remember getting paid $2 an hour to watch 3 kids! I'd be on the $5 end of the spectrum. I see it as entertainment and not much responsibility. At that age she will be happy.

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