I’ve written before about the importance of parents going out for regular date nights. Having a great babysitter is your ticket to a bit a freedom, and a healthy dose of reconnecting with your spouse. If you are lucky enough to find a great sitter, she is worth her weight in gold! I recommend you treat her well so she will stick around.
One question I hear over and over from new Moms is “how much should I pay the babysitter?”
Many factors will decide the appropriate hourly rate:
- Region: Find out what the going rate is in your area. In regions with a higher cost of living, the rates will be inflated.
- Number of kids: While summer sitters charge a single rate for their time, others may charge more for more children.
- Age: You can expect to pay an adult or college student more than you would pay a high schooler.
- Job requirements: Will the sitter be expected to drive the children around? Make dinner? Or will she spend an hour putting them to bed and then watch TV for the next four hours? (Some parents may ask a babysitter to do housework, personally I feel this is out of the scope of their job. The exception would be if it’s directly related to the children, like assisting the children with picking up their toys or preparing food for the kids.)
Of course you can always simply ask the sitter what she charges and go from there. Go in with a ballpark price range based on other Moms in your area and adjust as necessary.
It’s also important to distinguish between a weekend date night babysitter, and a regular daytime childcare provider. The first I consider a babysitter, and the latter a nanny or daycare provider. The expectations and rates vary greatly between the two.
17 comments
I find this to be a helpful tip for those who don’t what what to look for or where to start! Reconnecting is very important!
My little one’s only 4mos old and we have grandparents here in town that will watch whenever we need or want to go out. I have no idea what the going rate is for babysitting, but care.com tells me it’s around $15/hr in Omaha, NE.
Good idea to check a site like that, Jenn! That way people know what the rate is specifically for their area.
I always felt that sitters should get paid minimum wage unless a set amount is agreed upon for the night or day.
I always hate trying to figure this out. Good list!
It can be a little awkward especially with a new sitter when you haven’t hired one before.
I agree, I don’t think the sitter should also be responsible for chores around the house. Unless they are being compensated for that as well. Great tips!
I remember babysitting all through high school and college and having tons of great experiences and then starting with this one new family… they asked me to fold their laundry and between not really knowing how to fold and having to handle the dad’s underwear I was pretty horrified. That job didn’t last!
I have no idea. I usually have a family member that will do it for free. My 15 yr old niece has watched my kids (6 & 10 at the time) & I had no idea what to give. I gave her I think $20 for less than 2 hrs. Hopefully you can compile a price list!! We’re in PA. Help a mudder out!
Haha! I will try! I think some people are reluctant to give out the info! I will tell you that for me, $15/hour seems to be a good rate for my brood and it keeps them coming back. I know others in my area pay more like 10 (and they have fewer kids). My sister in law outside of Boston says the going rate there is 20-25/hr! So you see there can be a huge range!
We haven’t gone this route, though I’m starting to consider it. I’m just anxious leaving my son with food allergies with someone I don’t know very well. I remember when I babysat I charged $3/hr. I think it’s about three times that much now where I live!
You’re right, it’s so important to have date nights but unfortunately it really bumps up the cost of a date night. But as the saying goes….babysitting is cheaper than divorce! Rates are high around my place and I do find it annoying to pay $15-$20/hour when they only have to sit and watch tv all night! Maybe I should throw in a little housework chores? 🙂
I am amazed at how much some sitters charge. We are fortunate to have friends that we trade out the favor of watching each other’s children from time to time.
I remember how much I used to love baby sitting! I’m lucky that right now I have grandparents that can watch the kids.
We have 2 sets of grandparents within 15 minutes of us…our favorite babysitters!!
For the one or 2 times we have paid for a sitter I believe we did $12/hour.
Great tips…settling on a price is so hard!!!
Awesome points for a babysitters price. As long as they are cooperative and trustworthy I don’t balk at their offer.