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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
What's the going rate for a teenage babysitter?
It's been over about 1 1/2 half since we've used a non-family member for a babysitter. What do you pay a teenage babysitter per hour to watch two kids?
Children Photography Photo Credit: Heather Barta Photography
Re: What's the going rate for a teenage babysitter?
The big sister, and Momma 30 weeks along with baby sister
Food Blog, Family and Baby Blog
Does your new sitter have experience or a first aid class? If so, I would pay him/her a bit more...
I think $5/hr is a good rate, but it has been over a decade since I babysat. I do remember though, that my families gave me a "tip" since I cleaned their house after the kids went to bed...
It depends... I'm assuming at least one of your two are still in diapers- judging from the tickers
I'd say $5/hr is fine if they're going to be awake and need active entertainment. My sister usually charges like $6-$10/hr, but she's babysitting 2-3 kids/babies usually, and she works at a daycare, so she has actual 'training'.
I haven't babysat in a long time, but I think I usually got like $20 for a night (5-6 hours), but I always cleaned up the house and stuff too.
Eat.Drink.BeMarried. Blog.
I pay our 14 year old sitter $7/hour.
My plan is to bump it up once she is 16 and can get herself to our house herself.
FWIW, we pay our adult sitters (ie - daycare teachers) $13/hour - rounded up.
Also, if you have a quality sitter, pay for her time, not necessarily just her duties. (when I was a sitter, I turned down jobs where the parents thought it appropriate to dock my pay just because their kid was sleeping)
A Little Bird and a Monkey Butt
Boy/girl twins born at 37w1d and 37w2d
My sitter has the babysitting class, as well as first aid and is 17. I asked her when we interviewed her her rate, she suggested $5. Once we have another kid we will pay more. We do also live a ways out of the cities, if we lived in the cities I would pay more as well.
The big sister, and Momma 30 weeks along with baby sister
Food Blog, Family and Baby Blog
If she suggested $5 then that's perfect. If she ends up doing a fantastic job and asking for more then you can revisit it. I think that's good for out of the cities rate - I grew up in SoDak so I'm thinking they are comparable communities.
I have no children, but $5/hr seems crazy low to me. I think I made $9 per hour in 1993. I would pay her at least minimum wage. And none of the "less while sleeping."
We're kind of going out.
Agreed. In my little town Up North kids get at $6 an hour and more. I'd pay more for more than one child too.
I babysat throughout middle school and h.s. in a small town. In the late 90s I was thrilled if I got $8 an hour for 2 or 3 kids. However, I wouldn't go back if the family lowered my pay if the kids were sleeping. I was still giving up my time whether or not the kids were sleeping. I would always leave the house cleaner than when I came if the kids went to bed before I left.
Start with $5 per hour but if you like her and don't want to lose her, up her pay or give her random gifts (if its a longer day or really late night, throw in an extra tip or give her a gift card to a store she likes). Make her want to always say yes. There were 2 families that I would always say yes to because they did things like that. Made me want to babysit for them! Also if she is driving more than 5-10 minutes each way, pay her for her drive time too! The little things like that will make her want to come back.
Photo taken at 16 months old
OMG, I didn't realize you are pregant with baby #2! Congrats!
Children Photography Photo Credit: Heather Barta Photography
I am a nanny (and considerably older than teenager) but when I was in high school I was making $12-15 an hour! Granted I was sitting in affluent neighborhoods, I was older, and CPR certified etc. But I think you should pay at least $8-10 for a responsible high school student. A middle schooler, $6-8.
And don't dock pay if the kids are sleeping, it's still their time. And if the sitter is any good, they're cleaning up dishes from dinner, folding laundry or tidying up. Remember, you get what you pay for.