How much should I pay a babysitter for 3 hours of babysitting 4 days a week?

Question

A co-worker's 16 yr old daughter is watching my son (almost 1 yr old) for 3 hours a day this week. Tuesday-Friday. When I talked to her mom she said to pay her daughter $30-$35 for the week which I think is too low. I don't want to go against what her mom said but that is like slave wages. She does an excelent job and my son loves her. I would also like her to babysit again if I need her. I went out today and bought her a bottle of her favorite perfume to go along with her money. How much hourly should I pay her?

I should also note that she walks here and does not drive.

Answer 1

Well if she is working 4 days a week, 3 hours a day, i would give her like $50 an hour!! So in a week that is $120, and in a month that is $480, in a year it would be $5760!! It is the perfect amount!!!

Answer 2

I would think around $5 an hour is good, i worked a few years back as a sitter making $8 but i was in college and then for a bit out of college with likely more experience than your sitter, but i agree that $35 seems low for 12 hours of work

Answer 3

I pay my babysitter $60 for a 14hr week and $40 for a 9hr week per her request and she is state certified. Sooo if you are having her for 12 hours i would say around $50.

Answer 4

Her mom is probably just giving you a low rate because you work together and her daughter's a teenager. But I would not let this keep me from giving her more if I felt she deserved it.

I personally would not expect anyone to watch my child for any less than $15 a day, simply for the trouble of having to come out to my house. I would therefore suggest giving her that much, which is $5 an hour. Just perfect. The perfume is also a great, personal way to show that you appreciate her. Hope this helps, good luck!