Babysitters!

[sillygirl]

Okay, we're at the point where every now and then, we need someone to come watch the kid for a few hours to let us go on a date. By "watch the kid" I mean, watch him for maybe an hour, give him a bottle and put him in bed, and then watch movies or do homework til we get home. Hell, talk to your friends or your boyfriend on the phone all night for all I care.

Now, since I haven't been active in church for a while, and since we moved to a new neighborhood and don't know anyone here (also, there seems to be a lack of anyone under the age of oh, 60), we've had a hard time finding anyone to begin with. People we DO find want upwards of $10/hr to sit on their asses and watch television for a few hours!

Is it just me, or is this completely ludicrous?

Anyway, I just wanted to see what other parents pay. I don't need someone with ten years of childcare experience, parenting classes, etc. I need a teenaged girl who has the brains to feed the kid a bottle and then go check on him IF he cries, knows to call if something happens, and has had a few families that she sits for. This kid usually sleeps like a rock all night. I'm not asking someone to come teach him the alphabet. I'm not asking someone to come take care of his daily growth and well being. I'm looking for someone to just be in the freaking house while he sleeps so that I can go to a flippin movie every now and again.

I know what I was paid when I was sitting. I'm 22, it wasn't that long ago. I don't know where 13 year old girls get off charging ten bucks an hour.

*deep breath*

So.. yeah. What do YOU guys pay for a sitter?

[ngdawg]

Local minimum wage and a tip of an extra hour was my thinking when I had babysitters.
As for finding one, perhaps (former) co-workers with kids? Friends? Local Girl Scouts? I was lucky-friends had teenage daughters, so I was never stuck for one.
I would suggest, if you don't really know whomever you find, that you take them in a time or two as a 'mother's helper'-she plays with and watches the baby while you do things around the house, or take her with you shopping so she can walk with the baby, etc. Makes everyone a bit more comfortable.

[sillygirl]

Originally Posted by ngdawg

I would suggest, if you don't really know whomever you find, that you take them in a time or two as a 'mother's helper'-she plays with and watches the baby while you do things around the house, or take her with you shopping so she can walk with the baby, etc. Makes everyone a bit more comfortable.

I've already decided to at least do this, as it'll be my first time leaving Aric with someone who isn't already a friend or family member. (It's so hard convincing myself to do it!) But we have two big dogs who are overly friendly yet still protective of the baby and I want to make sure that she gets along with not only Aric, but the dogs too. I don't want any phone calls that the sitter got bit while she was trying to do something with the baby. It's not in their nature to snap or be aggressive, but I've seen my Dane go nuts when he thought I was in danger.

[Lizra]

I wussed out ....after trying a neighborhood teenage sitter once or twice....I decided it was grandma or nothing. So it pretty much became nothing. (an occasional weekend at grandma's for must do stuff)
Luckily, I had waited till I was 29 to have my first child, and had gotten "going out" pretty well out of my system. Having fun at home became the focus.
It was just too weird paying someone you didn't know to come into your home while you weren't there and be in charge of your children and have access to all your stuff

[absorbentishe]

I can't help too much. We've always used friends or family. In a pinch, we used a friends friends daughter. She turned out to be a slob, and didn't do anything! That really soured us as to who we used. My oldest is old enough to do it for us, and we pay him handsomely when we use his service (unless all he did was use the PS2 or computer while we were gone).

[sillygirl]

The problem I'm having is that we don't know anyone with teenage daughters. I've thought about posting an ad at the nearby jr high and high school. When I was in school they had a student work center where you could go and look for jobs.

My parents live about 40 minutes away and my SO's parents aren't allowed to babysit, which sucks cuz they live like five minutes away. I spend all day every day in the house with Aric, and I love him to death and love that I can work at home now, but I really do need to get out once a week to maintain some sanity.

I found a young girl a few days ago that might work out fine. I'm just waiting for a call from her mom, who wanted to talk to me.

[Sultana]

Dang, if they want $10/hour, they better be CPR and First Aid certified, as well as some kind of child care certified. I don'tknow many 13 year-olds who are. Hmph.

Maybe you could contact a couple of nearby daycare centers, and see if they provide the service, or can recommend someone?

[sillygirl]

I found a 13 year old who I'm meeting with Sunday. Her mom's coming too. She's cool with $4/hr. Still almost double what I ever got, but I think it's fair.

I spoke with her mother today, and she seems like a pretty cool lady. They own a pet sitting business, so I'm less concerned about how she'll be with the animals. Hopefully it'll work out. Not many people are great with two large dogs (One's about 140lbs)

There's another girl, about 21 who's willing to come over too, but she emails me every few hours if I don't respond and it's annoying me. We may need to meet with her and possibly use her on nights that our roommate will be home. That's another issue though.

[sapiens]

My wife recruited a few undergraduate students from her work as babysitters. Most of them are 10-12 dollars an hour. I think that $10 an hour is insane for the task. During the day, maybe. At night, my daughter goes to bed and the woman watches movies on her laptop. We use a babysitter once or twice a year.

All of our relatives live hundreds of miles away. So, we don't get out much. We have traded babysitting with other parents before. That's fine with me as long as the other kids are reasonably well-behaved.

[analog]

Even if they get minimum wage or thereabouts, you should still insist that they hold a current CPR card.

Anyone who cares for children should have CPR training (I recommend from the American Heart Association because it's good for 2 years instead of 1), which includes teaching how to clear foreign body airway obstructions (the Heimlich maneuver, obstructions for children and infants). Anyone can choke on food, etc., but children more so due to their different anatomy and other factors.

I've never understood having kids watch other kids (like a 13 or 14 year old) unless they're really mature for their age or something.

[sillygirl]

This is one of my definite requirements. Before I ever started babysitting, my mom signed me up for a babysitting course which included this certification. Also, every year in swim lessons we were trained, in order to have a massage license I had to be trained, and in order to work in group homes I had to be trained.

Considering that I'm making my SO go through the training with me when I get mine renewed, I won't allow someone in my home who isn't trained.

[Elphaba]

Sillygirl, thank you for this thread. My stepdaughter has an eighteen month tottler and is looking to get out of the house a bit more. I'll share with her the posts here. She lives an hour away and doesn't have transportation, so this grandma can't help.

[pornclerk]

Sorry but there is no way in hell I would pay a 13 year old ten dollars an hour to babysit! I remember I was around that age and I babysat my aunt's kids (she has four of them) and she paid me $20 for like 6 hours. I thought that was pretty cool at the time.
Teens these days are way too spoiled in my eyes.

[doodlebird]

i pay my sitters $10 / hr.

they're mostly friends of mine (late 20s / early 30s)
who have low paying jobs or are going back to school - or both.
i don't mind chipping in for their savings.

i know that's not an option since you said you don't know anyone,
but i'm just letting you know that the price is not unheard of.
but my sitters are adults.
for me, the big distinction is that they can drive themselves to and from the job. i'm not playing taxi service.

BUT there are some friends of mine with kids
who've posted ads at the local university,
particularly in early education / childhood development depts.
they've had success there.

[sillygirl]

Originally Posted by pornclerk

Sorry but there is no way in hell I would pay a 13 year old ten dollars an hour to babysit! I remember I was around that age and I babysat my aunt's kids (she has four of them) and she paid me $20 for like 6 hours. I thought that was pretty cool at the time.
Teens these days are way too spoiled in my eyes.

Thank you!!!!

[snowy]

I currently work in childcare, and make $11/hr. But that is because I am educated, have infant/child CPR and first aid training, and have experience. Furthermore, that pays for two children. So $11/2=$5.50 per child per hour.

Given that baseline of a per-child number, we go from there: subtract .50 if the candidate does not have infant/child CPR/first aid, subtract another .50 for education, and subtract another .50 for lack of experience. That is $4/hr--which is a reasonable rate to pay someone under 14, who cannot work for minimum wage. For someone 14 or over, you should pay the minimum wage consistent with your state.

I say that because some teenager babysitters are better trained and better prepared than you might expect, so it's good to pay an established, consistent wage across the board. You pay for what you get.

Where to find a babysitter? Call local churches. They will be able to give you a referral. Call local high schools. They can put an ad up on their job board for you. Also, check if there are local parenting newsletters, local community listings of some kind, and advertise your need there. In my town, the local co-op has free community listings, and childcare workers here frequently advertise in there. Finally, there are professional referral services you can call, and those would be in your local YellowPages.

Personally, my employer found me (or I should say I found them) because the sitter who was leaving posted on the LiveJournal community of the local university about the job. So there are a lot of resources out there--even Craigslist has childcare listings.

[surferlove007]

I began babysitting at age 14 for several kids in my neighborhoods and I charged $9 to $12 depending on the kids. The reason the parents paid it was because they knew I wouldn't be irresponsible and knew what I was doing while they were away. My parents paid my sister and I's babysitters roughly $8.00 and hour (back in the early 1990s) and more when they went out because they wanted quality and the sitter to come back. She was wonderful to us and we loved her. She even asked us to be in her wedding, I was the flowergirl and my sister a junior bridesmaid. We're still in contact today too. She has little girls of her own and she jokes that we should babysit for hers now.
As I got older (16) I charged $10 and hour for one child and $18 for two. Kids are alot of work especially when they're not yours. Eventually I adjusted to the families but if the kids were brats often I would tell the parents why I didn't want to return and be done with it.
Also I became lifeguard certified the year I turned 15 therefore I was certified in CPR Pro, Oxygen Administration, First AId, AED, and Lifeguarding. I paid good money and worked for those certifications and did not feel bad about charging the prices I did. It showed I was highly qualified and I never recieved a complaint.
Highly paid sitters tend to be much more reliable than not. Being able to trust someone else with your kid is a huge thing but it also comes at a price.

Don't freak when a teen asks for a hefty per hour, ask for a list of certs and if you still feel it is unreasonable then negotiate or find someone else.
That price is totally fine if you ask me.

[Deltona Couple]

I have to agree with ghost, if you want a quality sitter, who is responsable and will be happy about their job, then shell out a few extra bucks. The most common phrase when purchasing an item or service is " you get what you pay for". I had no problem shelling out the extra 20 to 40 bucks when my girls were younger to find a babysitter that I could trust. It all boils down to what you want out of a sitter, cheap cost, or quality care....personally I go for quality, and just didn't go out as often.
On a side note, sometimes you can negotiate for an evening, rather than a per hour basis. If the figure it's $10 per hour, and you call the night short, they only get 10 bucks, but if you agree on a set amount, say 25 or 30 for the "evening" no later than say midnight, then sometimes you can work it out that way.

[amonkie]

I charged what Deltona mentioned - If it was a typical dinner and a movie night, I would get usually between 20-25 for the night instead of a per rate - they usually left around 6-7pm, and got back between 10:30-12am.

If there were more than 2 kids it would go to 30 - they may be easy for YOU, but i have had more than my share of kids who wouldn't sleep for a stranger, or they have to test your limits for the first 3-4 visits.

[sillygirl]

Originally Posted by amonkie

I charged what Deltona mentioned - If it was a typical dinner and a movie night, I would get usually between 20-25 for the night instead of a per rate - they usually left around 6-7pm, and got back between 10:30-12am.

If there were more than 2 kids it would go to 30 - they may be easy for YOU, but i have had more than my share of kids who wouldn't sleep for a stranger, or they have to test your limits for the first 3-4 visits.

I've actually talked with a few people about doing the flat rate. It's probably what I'd do anyway with this girl I just met who doesn't charge much. It's not like I'd count the hours and give just that.

Trust me A, I've had my fair share of those turds too! There was one family that I kept sitting for even though one of the kids was a total brat for the first five or six times. She just learned not to push me around, and then was amazed at how much fun we had!

[Antikarma]

I try and remember that my kids smell weakness like blood in the water. My daughters can seem like the sweetest, most innocent children on earth while convincing you its a swell idea to bust out all the sugar in the house and then to take a drive to McDonalds.

I've been blessed with family nearby me that will normally babysit, but I have no problem paying ten or 12 an hour if I've met a babysitter that can "match wits" with my kids.

That being said, any TFP'ers from BC here? I'm moving down there in a few months and I've been told that babysitters now are covered by minimum wage and work laws?

*edit* Just thought I'd throw it out as a sidenote, how much do you folks pay on New Years Eve??? My wife and I wanted to go out, but the cheapest reasonable sitter we could find was $125 a kid, from 9 PM till 1AM. Yegads

[snowy]

Originally Posted by Antikarma

*edit* Just thought I'd throw it out as a sidenote, how much do you folks pay on New Years Eve??? My wife and I wanted to go out, but the cheapest reasonable sitter we could find was $125 a kid, from 9 PM till 1AM. Yegads

As a babysitter, I would probably charge you at least $50 for my services on New Year's Eve per child. Even the family I work for wouldn't expect to pay me my normal rate on New Year's.

[Antikarma]

I'm not saying the normal rate should be expected, but theres a fine line between performing a service at excess rate and making 250 dollars off me when you're not even legal to drink (speaking of the teenagers in town of course)

[Sage]

Vote with your wallet.

For me, if I had a child, I would figure out what it was worth to me to have someone come take care of my kid. If I really really wanted to go out sans child, I'd come up with the amount of money that would be equal to how badly I wanted to go out. So, if hubby and I really wanted to take a date night, and came up with being willing to spend $35 to do so without the kid, then I'd do so. It's all about the moneys.

Check and see if your local YMCA has a childcare program. The YMCA here in Asheville does, and once a month they'll have a "parent's Night Out" where they will keep the kids from 5:30-9pm. It's somewhere around $15-20 per kid, and even if you don't have a membership you can get one cheap or almost free. The Y really wants members, and is against turning people away for not having enough money to pay... at least the Y here in Asheville.

[CookieCutter]

I am 23 and babysit for a couple with three kids (twins age 4, boy age 6). They are VERY well behaved. I get paid minimum wage, which is perfectly reasonable to me. I go there, play with the kids, have fun, make an easy dinner they usually have planned out, give them baths, put them to bed, babysitting is more fun than work.

They found out about me through a mutual friend (my cousin). Is there a college in your town by any chance? If so, you can probably find reliable college-aged babysitters.

[jRuntlets]

As an expirenced babysitter, with a CPR/First Aid and expirence watching 12 children at a time I expect to be paid at least minimum wage. I feel it's fair to ask minimum wage or more because I've paid for the certification courses and have extensive expirence. Not to mention I'm 21, I have to pay for things like my car and insurance to get to the person's house that I'm babysitting.

Babysitting prices should be contingent on the expirence of the sitter, the age of the child(ren), and the behavior of the child(ren). If the child(ren) are horrible I think it's more than fair to call the parent and offer them two options: 1. Come home and take care of the child or 2.Pay me $x more an hour, or $x more as a flat rate.

I'm also a stickler for payment upfront.

Keep in mind a good babysitter is priceless. Treat them well, pay them well and they will take care of your most important investment. If you nickle and dime the babysitter the more likely they'll do a bad job.

More and more I'm concerned about the liability of babysitting (I also train horses - and have my clients sign a lock tight release form). I only babysit for people I've known for along time or family. A child is someone's life and it's scary to hold that in your hands even though you do your best to keep them safe.

[tinfoil]

Do also remember that it's not so much about the amount of work being done, but the amount of responsibility & accountability you are placing on the person doing the work.

[Daemon1313]

Man $10/hour would suck. The going rate is $5/hour in my neighborhood.