Comments on: things babysitters wish we knew: part three http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/ a place for your soul to breathe Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:38:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ever wonder what your babysitter is thinking? http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-30754 Ever wonder what your babysitter is thinking? Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:31:17 +0000 http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-30754 [...] tell her what information they want us to leave and also clue her in on the question of what to pay your [...] [...] tell her what information they want us to leave and also clue her in on the question of what to pay your [...]

]]> By: GinSpaghetti http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-19514 GinSpaghetti Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:03:00 +0000 http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-19514 I just found your blog (love it by the way!) and this is an older post but since it's been freshly linked I thought I'd comment! <br/><br/>When I was in undergrad I babysat for my job, I had about four families that I helped on average. One was weekly.<br/><br/>I'm in NC and I was paid $11/hour. I wouldn't even think of sitting for less than $10. For me, it didn't matter how much work was involved, the point was it was my *time* and my time was valuable to me. <br/><br/>I am really *shocked* at how many people have commented that $8 and $10 is too much. I think that if you have a GOOD sitter who truly cares about your child and you can trust, why would you *not* want to pay them? If I was paid less than $10 I wouldn't even go back. It's not worth it to me. And if it isn't worth it to the family to pay me then that's okay...<br/><br/>I've not babysat in years but I'd assume that the rate is still about the same here... if you can find a good sitter, pay them well. Is there really a price tag for good care for your children?<br/><br/>Oh! And also, I was never afraid to tell a family how much I charged. Better to do that than to be disappointed on either end. It would be sad if they liked me but I kept my mouth shut and then didn't go back just b/c they didn't pay me what I wanted when in fact they could have but didn't know. <br/><br/>Just my two cents! :)<br/><br/>GREAT posts about sitters!<br/><br/>(and also, newborns were my favorites! but all my newborns grew up, and I still loved them the same :)) I just found your blog (love it by the way!) and this is an older post but since it’s been freshly linked I thought I’d comment!

When I was in undergrad I babysat for my job, I had about four families that I helped on average. One was weekly.

I’m in NC and I was paid $11/hour. I wouldn’t even think of sitting for less than $10. For me, it didn’t matter how much work was involved, the point was it was my *time* and my time was valuable to me.

I am really *shocked* at how many people have commented that $8 and $10 is too much. I think that if you have a GOOD sitter who truly cares about your child and you can trust, why would you *not* want to pay them? If I was paid less than $10 I wouldn’t even go back. It’s not worth it to me. And if it isn’t worth it to the family to pay me then that’s okay…

I’ve not babysat in years but I’d assume that the rate is still about the same here… if you can find a good sitter, pay them well. Is there really a price tag for good care for your children?

Oh! And also, I was never afraid to tell a family how much I charged. Better to do that than to be disappointed on either end. It would be sad if they liked me but I kept my mouth shut and then didn’t go back just b/c they didn’t pay me what I wanted when in fact they could have but didn’t know.

Just my two cents! :)

GREAT posts about sitters!

(and also, newborns were my favorites! but all my newborns grew up, and I still loved them the same :) )

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-19447 Anonymous Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:52:00 +0000 http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-19447 My 17 year old daughter babysat a few weeks ago for two boys (relatives) - she drove to & from their home (paying for her own gas) and spent the night - they paid her $2.00 an hour. They must've thought the time spent "sleeping" (they were not at home - they spent the night at a hotel) didn't count. I know she'll NEVER babysit for them again - she gave up a weekend night (and morning) to earn money to buy Christmas presents. I always paid well when my kids were young, plus had "teenage" snacks - and we rarely had anyone say no!<br/>L. My 17 year old daughter babysat a few weeks ago for two boys (relatives) – she drove to & from their home (paying for her own gas) and spent the night – they paid her $2.00 an hour. They must've thought the time spent "sleeping" (they were not at home – they spent the night at a hotel) didn't count. I know she'll NEVER babysit for them again – she gave up a weekend night (and morning) to earn money to buy Christmas presents. I always paid well when my kids were young, plus had "teenage" snacks – and we rarely had anyone say no!
L.

]]> By: angie http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-17639 angie Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:53:00 +0000 http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-17639 Stefanie sent me over. GREAT babysitters tips. I've haven't finished my whole installment, but the question I want asked is, "do they clean up?" Not messes I've made, but say a snack if they fed the kids. Cuz' my babysitters NEVER do and it DRIVES me INSANE! Stefanie sent me over. GREAT babysitters tips. I’ve haven’t finished my whole installment, but the question I want asked is, “do they clean up?” Not messes I’ve made, but say a snack if they fed the kids. Cuz’ my babysitters NEVER do and it DRIVES me INSANE!

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-16501 Anonymous Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:46:00 +0000 http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-16501 I had a babysitter bring a paper for me to fill out. It was great because you don't really know what they need to know. I had a babysitter bring a paper for me to fill out. It was great because you don’t really know what they need to know.

]]> By: SuellenA http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-16420 SuellenA Thu, 07 Aug 2008 02:25:00 +0000 http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-16420 The first sitter we hired, we asked the money thing and got the "whatever". We then asked what she normally got paid-$6 and paid her $1 more-just so we could get dibs on her. She is the most dependable, reliable person and she truly loves our little guy. I'm already sad about her going to college next year. The first sitter we hired, we asked the money thing and got the “whatever”. We then asked what she normally got paid-$6 and paid her $1 more-just so we could get dibs on her. She is the most dependable, reliable person and she truly loves our little guy. I’m already sad about her going to college next year.

]]> By: paperjunk-lc http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-16398 paperjunk-lc Tue, 05 Aug 2008 17:46:00 +0000 http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-16398 My daughter is 17 and babysits a lot. 7-8 is the going rate esp. for more than one child. I usually call her when she is babysitting and remind her to pick up after the kids. Not clean the house but whatever was gotten out while she was there like pizza box, dishes, coke cans etc...I always hated coming home to a house I had to re-clean because the babysitter could pick up after herself. My daughter has gotten a lot nice comments and repeat business because of this. My daughter is 17 and babysits a lot. 7-8 is the going rate esp. for more than one child. I usually call her when she is babysitting and remind her to pick up after the kids. Not clean the house but whatever was gotten out while she was there like pizza box, dishes, coke cans etc…I always hated coming home to a house I had to re-clean because the babysitter could pick up after herself. My daughter has gotten a lot nice comments and repeat business because of this.

]]> By: Amara http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-16382 Amara Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:39:00 +0000 http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-16382 Yeah, around here (Utah) I pay 5.50 an hour, but I've got a ten year old that practically does the sitting. I never have trouble getting one of the 4 or 5 girls around me that are really good. I agree you should pay well, but if they are happy to say yes repeat times I think you're doing OK by them. Yeah, around here (Utah) I pay 5.50 an hour, but I’ve got a ten year old that practically does the sitting. I never have trouble getting one of the 4 or 5 girls around me that are really good. I agree you should pay well, but if they are happy to say yes repeat times I think you’re doing OK by them.

]]> By: Hannah http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-16313 Hannah Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:31:00 +0000 http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-16313 We pay our babysitter $10 an hour for four kids. As soon as the wee one can go without Mama milk for a while, it'll be five kiddos.<br/>I know we pay her way more than anyone in our area. Why?<br/>1. Finding a good babysitter who is trustworthy is a priceless thing. I don't want to loose her. I'll wine and dine her her entire life if I must.<br/>2. Having gone a year or so without a reliable babysitter is NOT fun with many small children. My time alone with my husband is priceless!<br/>Love all your tips!<br/>Blessings,<br/>Hannah We pay our babysitter $10 an hour for four kids. As soon as the wee one can go without Mama milk for a while, it’ll be five kiddos.
I know we pay her way more than anyone in our area. Why?
1. Finding a good babysitter who is trustworthy is a priceless thing. I don’t want to loose her. I’ll wine and dine her her entire life if I must.
2. Having gone a year or so without a reliable babysitter is NOT fun with many small children. My time alone with my husband is priceless!
Love all your tips!
Blessings,
Hannah

]]> By: Jennifer P. http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-16311 Jennifer P. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:43:00 +0000 http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2008/07/30/things-babysitters-wish-we-knew-part-three/#comment-16311 Holy cow! $8, really?! Maybe it's because my sitters mostly sit around watching movies and playing wii with my kids AND I order them pizza that I feel $5 is generous. I mean they're not paying taxes or FICA or anything.....guess I'm just a cheapskate and if you get a really good sitter--pay 'em what they're worth :)!<br/><br/>Your toilet-paper deterring post was the BEST! Eat some ice cream for me, but I'll skip the seafood...<br/><br/>Come home safe! Holy cow! $8, really?! Maybe it’s because my sitters mostly sit around watching movies and playing wii with my kids AND I order them pizza that I feel $5 is generous. I mean they’re not paying taxes or FICA or anything…..guess I’m just a cheapskate and if you get a really good sitter–pay ‘em what they’re worth :) !

Your toilet-paper deterring post was the BEST! Eat some ice cream for me, but I’ll skip the seafood…

Come home safe!

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