How much to pay a babysitter?

[mamaoftwins]

So, I've recently gone back to work per-diem. Yay! :) It's for a few days every month. So, I'm getting a sitter for the boys for two full days, like 8-5ish (those are DH's hours, as mine will be much longer). She's a friend from a club that I belong to, and a former gradeschool teacher, now a SAHM, and will be bringing her son along (he's 16mos, my guys are 12 mos). I totally trust her and am really happy to have her stay with the boys while I'm off at work.

Is $10/hr a good rate for her? I really have no idea as we've not had a sitter besides visiting family for the boys yet.

Thx for any thoughts!

[elephantmeg]

it really depends on the area I gather. I work part time and pay by the day (at her home not mine). $20/day per child for full days (8:30-6). I know others pay much, much more. If she were watching kids at my home and thus only had my 2 I would expect to pay more in the $5/hr range. But I live in hick-ville....

[trales]

I pay $7 per hour at her house with my DD and her DD. It was cheaper and more flexible than the day care at work since my hours are very odd and irregular.

[Momof3Labs]

I think that $10/hr sounds about right since she is bringing her son. If she weren't, I'd say 12-14/hr.

[lizajane]

sounds good to me. i offered to do the same for a friend for $10/hour. (not twins, but she has 2 and i have 2 and she has the youngest of the 4- still in diapers.)

[Melaine]

I think that $10/hr sounds about right since she is bringing her son. If she weren't, I'd say 12-14/hr.

:thumbsup: I agree.
I do think it depends on the area that you live in, but that would be about right where I am from.

[niccig]

$10 here is for 1 child and no teaching qualifications. Teachers charge a little more. But I'm in LA and everything is more expensive.

She is bringing her child and it is for all day, which is different from night babysitter.

You could ask her what does she think is fair?

[mamaoftwins]

Thanks, ladies! I'm gonna go with $10 then. We're in a big city in the Midwest, so I'm guessing it should be fine.

Thanks again! :)

[arivecchi]

FYI, since you say you are in the Midwest, child care for 1 child (no other children in tow) in Chicago would be $12-15/hour. If you are in a smaller city in the Midwest, I would say $10/hour is perfectly appropriate.