Friday, December 09, 2005

Paying the Sitter

My wife and I are going out 2 nights in a row. Tonight a friend of the family is going to watch my kids for about 5 hours. Tomorrow night the church is watching the kids for FREE as a ministry to those with kids. My question is: How much do you pay someone to watch your kids in the evening? I know that I've asked this before, but I've got a short memory. It seems like a year and one half since I've gone out with my wife since we really can't afford to pay a sitter that often. My sitter services come from trading out with friends: yardwork, auto details, watching other friend's kids, etc.

5 hours, 2 kids. How much?

I'll share what I actually paid later!

10 comments:

Jennifer said...

For two kids,depending on how well behaved they are, I'd pay 5 to 8 bucks an hour.

I'm not saying your kids are not just simply charming, but if they are difficult than most, I'd pay more. Sitters are hard to come by and you don't want to burn your bridges by being cheap. I had to cancel a sitter recently and I paid her half of what she would have earned.

KauaiMark said...

Lessee!

As a substitute teacher, I get $115/day. Divide that by 5 hours (not including lunch)then divide that by an average class size of 25...Carry the 1...mental math rounding...that comes to $1/hr

Do you provide dinner?

;)

The MAN Fan Club said...

Reply to jennifer: We paid $25 cash for 5 hours. This twin girl tandem is always asking to sit so we must pay pretty good.

The MAN Fan Club said...

reply to kauaimark: Wow, the subs here only make $90 a day. When I subbed in 97 it was $65 for teacher and $40 for paraprofessional.

I provided dinner: baked fish, but she brough Quiznos.

Artistic Soul said...

Back when I used to sit as a teen, I made about $4-$5 an hour. Given inflation, I might bump it to $6-$7 depending on the age of the sitter. Older high school and college students, who are traditionally more responsible, I would probably go to $8 since they could be working somewhere else for minimum wage at the same time.

Pigs said...

Heh. I have no idea. But I'll tell you that I made $5/hour babysitting in high school and $7.50/hour as a nanny in college with an almost teaching degree. What's minimum wage now...$6.15ish? Think about what they would get after taxes. I think what you paid is very fair. How old was your sitter?

The MAN Fan Club said...

Reply to wiccachicky and pigs: looks like I may need to bump my paying or work some more trades.

Bill Victor said...

if I sub here in Camdenton, I will only make 65$.

Bill Victor said...

I think $25 is about right, plus an offer of food and maybe a tip.

Anonymous said...

I think it depends on the sitter. Younger ones don't expect too much as older one's expect more. Last time I babysat I got $2.50 an hour and I am sure it has gone up so I would say at least $6-7 an hour. Again, depending on the age of the babysitter.