How much to pay a teen sitter?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
How much to pay a teen sitter?
8
Sat, 07-03-2004 - 1:04am
Being new parents, DH and I don't really know how much to pay a teenage sitter per hour for our 7 month old. Just for daily or evening outings for a few hours, not on a regular basis. Just wondering if anyone would be willing to share what would be appropriate. I wouldn't want to over or under pay. Thanks!

Jill
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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2004
Sat, 07-03-2004 - 9:57am
I have not had a babysitter yet, but I was one as a child...
I think the rate now is about $3-5 a hour??
I really also think it depends on the person who is babysitting and how much they ask and how well they do and how much they have to do when babysitting.
Good luck.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Sat, 07-03-2004 - 1:44pm
It depends on the area. $6 - $8/hour is the going rate here.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2004
Sat, 07-03-2004 - 10:45pm
My girls are 6 and 2, and I've yet to hire a teenage sitter. In my area most want *at least* $3-$4/child per hour. I could take them to a drop in center for the same price. Really, I'm too paranoid to hire a teenager. I usually "trade kids" with other families. We get free daycare and the kids get a few playdates or sleepovers out of it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2004
Sun, 07-04-2004 - 9:50am
Good idea about trading them with other familes you trust...
But I do not know anyone who is willing to do the same, so babysitters are the only choice if we decide to go with one.

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Avatar for lisacolette
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Registered: 10-25-2003
Sun, 07-04-2004 - 12:42pm
In mid-Michigan, we average about $3 - 4 an hour. I'd call your local Red Cross office. They have a babysitter's training course for teens that certifies them in CPR and child care. Our office even gave the sitters a sitter's "survival kit" with CPR instructions and games, etc.

Funny story:

I asked a few parents at work and around town what they pay, found $3 - 4 was a fair price, then we gave the Red Cross a flier with our baby's picture, a description of our family, our son and his favorite things to do. We then specified we only needed a sitter every now and then for a couple of hours at a time. One girl in particular called indicating she was interested so I asked her what she wanted per hour. Since this was her first job, she'd never negotiated before and she lowballed herself at $2 per hour. I said, "No, I don't think that's a good amount." I could hear her gasp (knowing she thought I was going to ask lower). I let her off the hook quickly saying I wouldn't do it for any less than $4 an hour since our son was only 18mos old and VERY active. She surprised me by refusing my offer saying that was too much money for her and she wouldn't do it for that much. I counter-offered with $3 and she accepted.

She turned out to be a great sitter and we missed her when we moved. All in all, it was an excellent way to get a sitter and we really got an honest one at that.

Hope this helps!

Lisa

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2004
Sun, 07-04-2004 - 1:49pm
It is pretty interesting what different areas pay for babysitting. Here in So. Cal. I have found anywhere from $5-$10 dollars per hour, sometimes more. We have used family for almost the first 2 years--we have b/g twins will be 2 in Sept. But we are during the summer finding a lot of college girls that are interested. They seem to be closer to the $10 price--which I can understand, they have more expenses. Anyway, I started babysitting at 13 y/o, but don't know if I would want a 13 y/o watching DS/DD. Maybe 2 teens but they can be very demanding for me sometimes. I think calling the Red Cross is a great idea. If you attend a church, I would look into some of those kids as well. Sometimes they offer a 'babysitter' class for them to become certified.

Good luck

Heidi

Thomas and Abigail--09-12-02

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
Mon, 07-05-2004 - 7:58pm
Thank you for all your replies. This gives me a good start. The trading idea sounds great if we could find someone else willing to do that with us. I really like the Red Cross idea, I think I will call them. We have had lots of offers from teens we know, but I would feel more comfortable knowing they have taken babysitting classes and especially CPR! It would be worth it to me too to pay a little more if they have had some type of training.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 07-06-2004 - 5:59pm

Wow! I paid $5 for just 1, and now $7 for 2 kids. My neigbhor pays $10. You need to pay well since good babysitters are hard to find, and you want them to babysit for you.


We found a family of 3 girls that adore our boys, and take turns sitting. The boys adore them, so it works out well.


Debbie


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