How much should I pay a babysitter?

Diane,

My wife and I have babysat for several parents at her pre-school. These have ranged from 4-5 hours to 3-4 days. (Clarification: My wife was the one paid to do the babysitting, I simply went along to help). She has never been paid less than $50.00. The times she has worked for 2-4 hours, she has been paid anywhere from $50.00 to $120.00. The times whens she has baby sat for severl days, she has been paid anywhere between $150.00 to $250.00, plus expenses (food, etc...).

I guess it depends on what you want. Do you want a teenager or an adult whom you know and trust. IMO, if you want the teen, I wouldn't pay more than $30.00 for a couple of hours. Personally, I am not sure that I would ever allow a teen to be responsible for my son, but that is a personal choice. If you would rather have an adult you know, I would not pay any less than $50.00.

Hope this helps,

Joseph Botwinick

 

growing up in a town full of babies - one hears a thing or two

I dont know how widespread it was - but there were and are babysitting course offered - this allowed the people who took it to get higher rate

with course(s) without course
13 and under 6-8 5-6
13 - 16 8-10 7-9
16 - 18 8-12 7-10
18 - 10-20 7-15

Of course these rates were average assuming one kid - more then one kid had some wierd formula that i dont recall since i never babysat or took the course

There was however the brat fee of 0-5 dollars.

Of course all these were about 10 years ago and are in Canadian funds

 

Diane, I am glad to hear you are so cautious. I guess you aren't all that liberal, (just kidding)! We are in the same place. We normally take our children or don't go. However, now my oldest is getting to be in his late teens and so we leave them home on an occasion.