How much do you pay for babysitting?
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| Mon, 10-30-2006 - 2:32pm |
Hello All,
Thought I'd give an update... well no more free babysitting for me. My mother moved out (which in and of itself was not a bad thing). I have three children so that makes for very expensive babysitting. I found a person who will do it for $9 an hour ($3 dollars per child). So my Saturday nights out will now be only 4 hrs long at $36. Yeah, I won't be going out as much anymore... and no overnights. :-(
I suppose if I meet someone nice, I can always do a lunch date or something so that I don't have to pay for a sitter... at least in the beginning while I'm trying to weed out the losers...lol. I figure in my budget I'll be able to go out 2 - 3 times a month (but that's a big drop from what I WAS doing). Thankfully, I've already got a sitter booked for Halloween night after the children trick or treat.
Loonybunny

Don't despair. It is a bummer that you lost your mom as your "free" babysitter. I don't know the situation but perhaps she will fill in a few times in the future?
I think that you will find a way to get out no matter the circumstance - perhaps a friend will exchange babysitting? Or you will find a cheaper teenager nearby?
The bigger deal, in my opinion, is to meet someone nice you like. After that the rest is easy - where there is a will, there is a way.
I do like your idea of lunch dates to start. Good luck, okay? And keep us posted!!
Wow. I've always been lucky, I guess, but is there some way to find a sitter-swap or something? How old are your children? COuld you leave them with a responsible teenager? I typically pay about $20 for a night- and that's from around 8-9 til the same time the next morning. My sitters are great, and I have no idea what the "going rate" around here is, that's just what I've always paid. So far, no complaints, and it is never hard for me to find a sitter.
Sometimes my parents will watch them, but I hate to ask them. I also would rather they not know all of the details of my life. It just works out better for me to arrange my own childcare, and the kids usually have a great time with the sitter.
I typically go out 2-3 times a month, and although it may take some getting used to, you may also find that you really value the time you do get to yourself. I know for me, I really look forward to "my time", especially since school has started- I need the release, and the kids need a break from me, also.
Moody- counting her blessings
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I'm thankful that I have my parents near to babysit when I want to go out. But for those times when they can't, I hire my best friend's daughter- and it's about $7.50 an hour for 2 kids. So when I was dating randomly (before Hiker), it was always a case where I'd have to decide if the guy was "babysitter worthy" because one evening out might cost me up to $50, depending on how early we started! If I didn't think the guy was worth that much, I wouldn't go out unless my mom was available. lol
Now that I'm seeing Hiker, it's usually well worth it to me if I have to hire a sitter. :-)
Wow Moody- I need to borrow YOUR babysitter!! What a great price you're getting for that much time! Hang onto that- and shhhh don't say a thing or you might have to start paying ALOT more!
~shrimpy
~shrimpy
"A man who wants something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." ~Stephen Dolley Jr.
~<
Sheesh
For overnites (about 14 hours) I pay my teen sitters anywhere from $35-40 (depending on age)_ & the college sitters, $50 overnite.
>>I'd have to decide if the guy was "babysitter worthy"<<
I find myself thinking about this now... and I also find myself putting pressure on myself to enjoy a night that's cost sooo much..... Needless to say I'm not having as much fun because I thinking tooo much. Always been a problem for me.
But the good news is that I will be spending more time with the kids. A change I think that will benefit us all in the end.
And I have another story to tell (later when I get a free minute) that will explain WHY I want to avoid my usually hangout. I'm so embarrassed. And it wasn't worth the $40. :-(
Thanks for everyones suggestions!