Daycare cost?

Question

My grandmother is a babysitter and is going to be watching my little girl. She has asked us not to pay her, but I feel that it is only right that we do. If she charges her clients $15/day, what do you think is a good amount for us to pay her? I don't want to take advantage of her and I feel that she deserves to be paid. After all its not easy finding someone to watch your child. We are extremely lucky!! Any ideas?

Answer 1

I would say at least 1/2 of what she gets from other clients. If she absolutely refuses to take money from you another good idea would be to take that money and put it in savings/college account for your daughter and let her know that's where it is going.

Answer 2

Even if you handed her the money, she probably wouldn't take it. When my dad watched my son before I relocated to join my husband in another city, he wouldn't accept the money. So I would buy things for the house, he and my mom talked about getting, buy him dinner, and other things I thought he might like.  But most importantly I never took advantage of his generosity and thanked him.

Answer 3

I agree with $10 per day. I think that would be nice, to give her at least something.

Answer 4

Good grief, where are you guys located?  Daycare around my area is $150-$200 a week!  *I'm jealous!*  LOL

I'd say at least $10 a day, $50/week.  I think it's really cool that you still want to pay her even though she's said not to pay her.

Answer 5

Maybe pay her half of her usual rate. If she won't take the cash money from you, figure out a "sneaky" way to pay her. Maybe put the money aside and when there is a decent amount buy her something you know she has wanted or get her a gift certificate for a restaurant or store or a gift card for gas or pay money toward her gas or electric bill.

YOu are right that you are incredibly lucky to find someone  you trust to watch your child. And I think it is admirable that you are concerned about not taking advantage of it. Some folks would just presume that it is "grandma's" obligation to help out.

Answer 6

$15.00 a day????? She can watch me!!!!

My daughter paid $145.00 a week!!! And my granddaughter was 3,4,and 5...

Answer 7

Wow!  I agree w/ at least $10/ week.  I don't pay as much as most other areas of the country pay but I still pay over $800 a month for a 3 year old and a (almost) 5 month old.

My parents paid my grandma to watch us.  When she passed away they found all of the money they had given her; she never touched it.  (She, too, didn't want anything in return.)  Some family members even get offended if you try to pay them but I would feel obligated.

Answer 8

I say pay your grandmother what everyone else does...$15 a day.  

How nice of her to keep your daughter for you!

Answer 9

write her the check and don't push if it isn't cashed.  otherwise, send the same amount to the power company in her name.

Answer 10

How about bringing over groceries and supplies, snack supplies, diapers, wipes, etc.

Answer 11

Well-if she is just a sitter then that is a deal. But I am paying $465 a month for a 3 year old full time in day care (daily schedule includes lessons, circle time, art, outdoor time, snacks and lunch, etc). This summer the theme is "Travel the World" and they are learning about different environments (last week they were in a woodland forest, this week they are in the plains). So if she is offering that type of environment you need to cover her costs for her continuing education and CPR courses, her aides, her materials, etc at the least. When my son was in infant care in a slightly larger city, I paid $650 a month for day care.