Calling all babysitters!

**changed4life** · 12-03-2007, 10:17 PM

I need an opinion about something.

My daughter was approached about babysitting every day after school from 3-5 p.m. Mon-Fri. She's 15 and in the 10th grade.

The woman asked what her rate was for watching two kids; a 5 and 6 yr. old. She usually gets $6-7 an hour for one child, so I told her to reply that her rate was $7 and she'll stick to it since the second child will only need her attention for 1/2 hour each day.

Is this reasonable? We just spoke to the woman this afternoon and haven't heard anything yet. I'm sure she's either checking it out with her husband or maybe our price sent her for a loop?

I figure for my daughter to give up every day after school (free time with friends, homework time, etc.) it was a fair price.

What do you all think. Were we off base? I guess I'm concerned since I haven't heard anything back yet. Maybe I'm just paranoid that we turned her off with the price?

Opinions?

Thanks.

**changed4life** · 12-03-2007, 10:28 PM

Oh, and just wanted to add...does the rate have to do with where you live? I live on the east coast where the cost of everything is through the roof!

**Kitten20** · 12-03-2007, 10:30 PM

Honestly it seems a bit steep to me, but I am not a babysitter. I did the math and it equals out to $280/mo for 2 hrs. in the afternoons on weekdays. My grandmother does professional in-home childcare and I am pretty sure she charges somewhere around $125/wk per child and that's for all day. I could be wrong - it's been awhile since we've discussed it. I would think $5/hr would be more reasonable. Again, I am only giving you my opinion as I don't know the going rates. Good luck!

**monkeywrangler71** · 12-03-2007, 10:30 PM

I hired a girl to watch my (then) 11 year old after school from 3-6 and paid her 7.50 an hour - which was the minimum wage at the time. I think $7 an hour for two kids that young is way more than reasonable. Although, I guess it depends where you are and what the normal price is, also the girl I hired was a couple years older.

**annymoll** · 12-03-2007, 10:38 PM

Oh my. How times have changed. My first babysitting job was for my 6th grade teacher. I was 12 years old, and watched her 4 year old every Sat. night through the summer. I did her dishes, vacuumed, and gave the little one a bath. I was paid 50 cents an hour.Babysitting must be more lucrative now.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 12-04-2007, 04:35 AM

I think that's more than fair. I was paid $4-$5/hr to babysit in the early 90's and that was considered a going rate or a little on the low side... I do think area affects price...we're also in a high cost of living area.

**AmyBoz** · 12-04-2007, 06:44 AM

I think it's fine. I'm in Northeast Jersey and sitters here get between $10 and $15 an hour. It's quite a gig!

**lwlynch** · 12-04-2007, 07:00 AM

Here in GA afterschool is $40.00(per one) dollars a week. So I would think that atleast $50.00 (for two)a week is appropriate.. could get more..but that is atleast $5.00 a kid. Just my opinion

**baxjul** · 12-04-2007, 07:10 AM

I have an in home daycare. For my school agers, I have them 20 min before school, and 1 - 2 hours afterschool and I charge $5/day/child.
I provide snacks and drinks, I make sure their homework is done, and I make sure they get some outside excercise.

**mcphlips** · 12-04-2007, 07:14 AM

I send my kids to a daycare for 2 hours in the morning and it works out to be 9.00 a day for both.

When I need an evening babysitter I pay her 5.00 an hour.

**Holly** · 12-04-2007, 07:24 AM

Kids here are getting $6 to $7 an hour
now. used to be $5.
2 kids I used to get $50.00 a week. I had them 1/2 hour each night after school . This was early 90's also

**Katybird** · 12-04-2007, 10:55 AM

It has been many years since I have paid a sitter but it seems reasonable to me.

**joyofsix** · 12-04-2007, 11:07 AM

I do before and after school care. I charge $5/day. I do live in the midwest though so rates may be different here. I've had people tell me $5 was too much.