When we got married, we moved over 2 hours away from everything that was familiar to us. It was kind of fun starting over. Meeting new people, making new friends. Then we had kids and realized this business of not having any family close by to babysit for free STINKS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anytime we want to have a "date night", we have to figure our how much money we will need for our night out and then how much money we'll need for the babysitter.
I tend to overpay, I think. Or do I? I never want to be considered cheap so I usually pay more than what is normal. But, seriously, what is normal? What is the going rate for babysitters these days? I have 2 girls, Emilee, who is 5 going on 15 and Gracie, who is 2 and a half. I usually wind up paying roughly $10 an hour. Is that a lot? I heard that $5 an hour is average. If they were at a real job, they'd be making at least $7 something an hour right? That's minimum wage these days, right?
I tend to overpay, I think. Or do I? I never want to be considered cheap so I usually pay more than what is normal. But, seriously, what is normal? What is the going rate for babysitters these days? I have 2 girls, Emilee, who is 5 going on 15 and Gracie, who is 2 and a half. I usually wind up paying roughly $10 an hour. Is that a lot? I heard that $5 an hour is average. If they were at a real job, they'd be making at least $7 something an hour right? That's minimum wage these days, right?
What do you pay your babysitter? Do you think I'm overpaying? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
10 comments:
I too pay my babysitter $10 an hour, which seems like a whole lot in comparison to what I use to make babysitting.
Good sitters are so hard to find. I find that kids these days don't want to babysit anymore. I love our sitter but fear she'll be moving on to other things once she gets her license. We pay $10/hour for 3 kids and they're usually fed/in pjs/almost ready for bed when the sitter shows up. I think $10 is a good rate especially if she does more with the kids.
I tend to overpay now just because things aren't so tight but boy it was hard paying babysitters for a lot of years there.
$10 an hour seems like a lot of money, but then, I think a lot varies by location too. About a year ago I babysat two kids after school and only charged $5 an hour. (Hey, if you're ever in NC and need a babysitter, let me know!) :)
I usually pay between $8 and $10 an hour for my three kids (6,3, and 1). I prefer to pay a little higher because indeed, good sitters are hard to find. In our neighbourhood, there are very few kids who are bothered to babysit.
Well, I'm not technically a Mama, so can I still comment here?
Hi………
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Good week………
I think 10 dollars an hour is average actually. Unless its all all day thing... I am not paying someone 80 bucks so I can spend the day in Chicago with my hubby! If its a few hours 20-30 bucks is normal for a sitter. I think.
My 17 year old gets paid 10$ an hour to babysit. That is for 3 kids and she will even pick up a little bit around the house...
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