How much to offer a mother's helper?

[nigele]

I am planning to find a mother's helper for a few hours a week. I plan to be in the house while the helper is here, trying to catch up on housework, etc. What hourly rate do you think is fair to offer?

TIA!

[C99]

Well, it depends on where you live, but I'd probably offer at least minimum wage and prob. more like $8-10/hr.

[twins r fun]

Is it a teenager or adult? I think you can get away with paying a teenager less. We pay teenager babysitters $10/hour (which I think is ridiculous). But that is for two kids and we usually end up with 2 sitters who split the money. If it was one child, I think we'd pay $7. I wouldn't think it would matter if you are in the house or not-it's still the same amount of time they are giving you. Also we are in a high cost area so you might be able to get away with less.

Nicole

BTW, love the new picture!

[newbelly2002]

We just started with one today. Yeayy!!! I agree that it really doesn't matter (to the sitter) if you're there or not, you are paying for h/his time. Childcare is pretty cheap over here and FWIW we offered our MH 6 Euro an hour (12 hours a week). She has 2 years Au-pere (pair?) experience, Red Cross certification and is about 30 years old.

Good luck. It was amazing to be able to write without worrying about DS for a luxurious 3 hours today (and I only checked on them once. Well, twice. I sent DH out once to check for me).

Paula

[LisaS]

I was a mother's helper from the time I was 12-14 for a family with 3 little boys. I worked there 3 afternoons a week. The mom would usually be home doing housework, cooking, bills, etc - I never thought it was weird.

Now, this was 14/15 yrs ago...I got paid $3/4 hour. With inflation and all, I think $8 would be fair to pay a teenager. The mom I worked for was also very generous with gifts. An adult I think should get $10.

I actually think if you're going to be home - having a teenager is sometimes better than having an older person - as they will really play with your child differently than someone your own age will. I remember thoroughly enjoying running around the backyard with the boys. I also remember changing diapers and feeding bottles, but mostly, we played. I became very close with the family and became their regular weekend babysitter as I was older as well (and then got paid more abt $6/hour)