Babysitter for the weekend? How much would you pay? (babysitting, teenage, support)
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We have 3 boys ages 2, 7 and 8. My husband and I do not live near grandparents or any family members so we actually have not ever gone away for a weekend together. We live in a very close knit neighborhood and we are very good friends with a family that lives across the street. They have two teenage daughters who babysit for us and I am also very close friends with their mother. They offered to take care of our kids for the weekend so my husband and I can go on a house hunting trip. We are in the middle of relocating to another city. We are leaving on a Friday evening and returning on Sunday evening. My two older boys may actually sleep over at their home and one of the girls will sleep at our house with the baby. Basically, they will all be helping out to care for the kids when we are gone but one of the girls is their regular babysitter so she will be the main caretaker, getting their meals, bathing, etc. My boys are a lot of work and I insist on paying her. Regardless of the situation of us being close with the family, how much would you pay someone to care for your three kids for a weekend with 2 overnights?
We usually pay $12 per hour for all three. $12 per hour for 48 hours is almost $600. I ran that by a few people and they found that to be way too much. I was thinking $300 but her mom said that is way too much. For some reason $300 seems like a good amount because that is around $100 for each day.
We usually pay $12 per hour for all three. $12 per hour for 48 hours is almost $600. I ran that by a few people and they found that to be way too much. I was thinking $300 but her mom said that is way too much. For some reason $300 seems like a good amount because that is around $100 for each day.
For longer time periods many sitters will charge a certain amount per hour when the children are awake and a much smaller amount when the children and the babysitter are asleep (but "on deck"). So, you shouldn't expect to pay $12 an hour for every hour unless you are expecting someone to be awake every hour that you are gone.
The right amount of money is the amount that you are thinking "Wow, what a bargain" and the sitter is thinking, "Wow, I'm SO happy with what I'm being paid." For Friday night to Sunday night, $250 to $300 (cash) sounds about right.
A few years ago my oldest sat for a weekend for a family that were regulars and she was the only one they trusted to be with their kids over night. They had 2 children about the same age as your younger two. They paid her $300 in addition to leaving money for pizza and fully stocked the kitchen.
She thought it was too much and they thought it was a bargain...so I agree with the above poster.
300 is the correct amount. Leave the kitchen stocked and money for pizza like hypocore says. I charge 100 a day and am in the middle of a 5 day (Wed night to monday night) babysitting venture right now.
I think $300 sounds right...possibly $200 for your regular sitter and $50 each for the mom and other sister, since they will be helping out. The mom would probably refuse her share of the money, it would be good to give it to her in the form of a restaurant gift card because that makes it seem like a family treat instead of taking money for being a great neighbor.
I agree with everyone -- $300 sounds right for 3 kids. If you only had two I'd say less but you have a 2 year old in the mix. And for the record, we do have experience charging for entire weekend sitting.
Thanks for the input! I am going to go with $300. Even though her mom (my friend) will probably be helping a lot I know that the money will help her too. She was just telling me how her daughter has all of these expenses for activities and is trying to earn money to help pay for those things. Also, they are wonderful friends and have always helped my family out in many supportive ways so even if they do think it is too much it feels right to me
How much to charge a sitter for 10hrs on a Saturday from 8am-6pm for 4yr old and a 6 yr old?
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