How much to pay a babysitter?

Question

Our family recently moved to a new town away from all of our family. My husband and I are planning on going on a date tonight and this is the first time we have actually hired a babysitter that isn't a family member to watch our 2 1/2 year old daugther. The sitter is a high school senior and we will be gone for about 3 hours. I have no idea what to pay her, any reasonable suggestions? It would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

ah maybe 60-80 because shes 2 1/2 and thats the terrible twos  

Answer 2

$30 .....$10 an hour

Answer 3

That will be something you will have to agree on with her, and would also depend on the area, but $8-15 an hour is about what they pay around here depending on the age of the person babysitting. I would think $10 would be reasonable, but like I said, it would depend on where you live, what experience she has with children, and what she is accustomed to receiving.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 4

10 dollars hourly is reasonable.

Answer 5

will she be asleep all or most of time ur gone??? or will the sitter have to do dinner play and bedtime??? i would say no less than $40 and you could also ask the sitter what she charges!!! she might charge less than what you would pay

Answer 6

OMG, these must be teenagers answering this question.  $60-$80 you have got to be crazy!!  I don't know where you live at but where I live at, 60-80 is what you pay for the whole week, Monday thru friday.  I have two kids ages 14 and 5.  I have paid $30 for a friday night but my 5 year old actually spent the night.  I dropped her off at 6pm and picked her up at lunch.  These were the hours that my babysitter gave to me, so I don't want anyone to say that I took advantage of her.  This was her price and her hours.  Normally on a friday or saturday night we pay about $15 or $20 tops.  Good Luck!!

Answer 7

I would say $25 to $30 at the most. She is in her terrible twos but that is a reasonable amount for anyone for that many hours. A high school student will think that is alot of money  and would appreciate it.  

Answer 8

since you have a terrible two maybe 60+ good luck

Answer 9

15-20 dollars i would say for three hours

Answer 10

First, minimally paying a sitter is a guarantee to find a minimal sitter meaning you get what you pay for.  Do you want her to say yes to you next time you need her?  Pay her well..  She could get a job making $10  an hour, not handling your child.  How often will you be using her in the future?  AND, pay close attention to how your child behaves around her and after.  She'll be the biggest indicator of if you're getting your money's worth.  

Answer 11

Three hours, maybe $20.  $25 would be a lot.  I usually try to figure out how much her time would be worth.  It is a friday night, which means that she is missing out on going out with friends on a friday night, which makes her services worth more.  Also, is she going to have to cook, or put your child to bed?  I try to go out early, say at like 5, so I am home by 8.  Then I know the sitter can still go out and have fun for the evening and I would give her $20/enough to go out with.  If I go out from say 7-10 or 8-11 then I ruined her whole evening...I would probably pay a little more at least $25.  I have a 15 yr old daughter and this is what she expects to be paid.  

Answer 12

I would say $20-30 2 year olds are toughies!

Answer 13

I agree with $60-80. Its reasonable for the age of your daughter, and for a high school girl.  Have fun on your date!!! :)

Answer 14

I would only pay about 50...25$ for each child. She's a teen and could use the money also 2 and 1/2 year olds are hard to handle