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Question on Babysitting rates...

17 years ago

I'm a 21 year old from Indiana, and I have been asked to babysit my bosses children...(a 3 month old and a 1 1/2 year old) It would only be 2 days a week from 10am-5pmish. I'm really not sure how much to charge them...I'm really happy to do it but I still want to make it worth my time! Please email me if you have any ideas...thanks so much!

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Comments (6)

popi_gw
17 years ago
Hello Haylee

Have you any experience ?
Huge responsibility looking after two babies, so in my mind you should be well paid.

I can't give you any more idea, as I am in Australia, and I think the hourly rate would be different.

Aim high.

Popi
User
17 years ago
I don't know what you do for this person that makes him/her your boss, but I would suggest you not accept this babysitting job. It changes your relationship with this person and it can lead to all sorts of problems for you (not your boss, that's the perk of being a boss!)

A job creates a professional relationship, babysitting is much more personal. It will cause problems for you at your "other" job with this person, and can make your life very, very complicated. If you insist on going ahead, then you should expect to be paid at least what they already pay you.

They can certainly find someone else to babysit. Good luck and be careful.
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lindac
17 years ago
That's not babysitting....that's being a nanny.
I certainly can understand your boss wanting someone he/she knows to look after his/her children and think it is great of you to be willing to do this. I see no problems.
As for what to charge? I am in a small midwest town and pay my cleaning lady $15 an hour...
Surely you should have as much...unless there will be a long period of naps in the day.
I would say you should get between $150 and $200 a week.
Linda C
coolmama
17 years ago
momj47 makes some very good points.This COULD complicate matters at your other job. If it were me,I dont think I'd do it if I liked my other job.
dillydally
17 years ago
I just babysitted last night and received less than I would've liked and I'm just wondering if $8 an hr is fair. There are three kids ages 7 months, 2, and 3. I basically just had to feed the kids, entertain them, and put them to bed. But since there is 3 and a baby it is difficult to juggle all of them. I'm a college student in San Antonio, Tx and the cost of living isn't as high as where I am from so I don't know if I should even mention the pay to the family.
livvysmom
17 years ago
dillydally -- I think $8 is way fair. If I had to pay that much I can guarantee you that I would hardly ever go out. Just think that it is more money than you would have made staying home to watch Desperate Housewives.

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