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How often do you and your spouse get a sitter and go out for the night? What is recommended? I would be happy with once a month. How much does your babysitter charge? I am wondering what is typical these days. I remember I got paid $2.50 an hour when I babysat in high school. Either I was super cheap, or inflation for sitters has skyrocketed in 15 years. According to babysitter.com, the average rate is anywhere between $5-$15.00 an hour, depending on the number of children, the age of children and the geographical area. I saw a blog post from someone who lives in the gulf coast and pays $20.00 an hour. That seems pretty steep to me.
Lets say you have a sitter that only charges $5.00 an hour. You go out to eat and to a movie. You have spent around $80 for 4-5 hours. Wow, am I grateful for grandparents!
If you are hiring a babysitter for the first time, babysitter.com has a check list you can print off to make sure she has all the important information. The website is actually a resource for finding a babysitter. They have some good, general tips, but I don't know anyone who has ever used the actual babysitting service. Do you?
How much do you pay your sitter per hour and how many kids to do you have?
-NewsAnchorMom Jen
11 comments:
When our son was a baby..(34 years ago)...we paid ONE DOLLAR an hour. That was the going rate back then. I'm certainly not making 15 - 20 times as much today as back then...so, I can't imagine paying 15 or 20 dollars and hour!! Wow!! That's nuts.
jen, we have 2 girls, 9 & 4, and pay $5 per hour. we are also very thankful for grandparents. only couple more years until the oldest can babysit for us
I was thinking this morning, how long will it be before my oldest can babysit. I didn't watch my brothers much when I was younger. I am assuming I was a horrible teenager and refused to do so. I will have to ask my mom. Shame on me!
Well we pay $10 an hour for 4 year old twins. However, we have started utilizing the YMCA daycare which only charges $2 per child and my husband and I work out together for an hour or so. It's great for talking, getting in shape, and having some time away from the kids. It's especially nice since it doesn't cost an arm and a leg, they are socializing, and they can come get us in an emergency. We still go out, but it's usually once every other month if we're lucky. It's just SO expensive!
Dan, $1! I hope your old babysitter doesn't read this. She will probably call you and ask for the rest of her money. That is cheap. How funny how times change!
I really like the working out together idea. My husband and I would like to do that more. Our schedules don't match up very often. Great Suggestion!
Yep, I remember getting paid a dollar an hour for babysitting. I'm sure at the time, though, it didn't seem like a bargain to the parents paying it.
My kids are too old for a babysitter now (unless we had to go out of town overnight, then I would have someone watch them) but, a few years ago I worked 3rd shift and had a teenage girl watch them in the mornings while I slept. I paid her $6-$7 an hour.
I pay the college aged girl about $7/hour, high schooler just under that, and a friend who is a nurse $10/hour. It seems to be the going rate around here...
I was paid $1/hour/kid when I was growing up.
Wow, I thought I was cheap when I charged $2.50 an hour when I was a teenager. I guess not! I think $7.00 an hour is what I have heard the most. Does it matter how many kids we're talking about?
My husband and I have a 2 yr and 6 month old. We don't get a chance to go out much but when we do it is for a few hours. Our babysitter doesn't charge us a set rate but we pay her between 8-10 an hour depending on a few things. We also buy pizza for her and snacks. My husband is in the army so when we get the chance to go out it is important for us because he is being deployed for the 3rd time overseas this year.
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