Babysitter

[alotofyarn]

I'm leaving E at home with a babysitter for the first time tonight! It's research night at the hospital, and I have to be there to present my poster. Hubby is, of course, on call, plus he wouldn't be home in time anyway. My mom is out of town with my grandma, and my dad has a meeting. So, I'm hiring the children's minister at church to come over for 2-3 hours. She's also a seminary student, and I know she's trying to raise money to go on a mission trip, so it works out for both of us. I'll leave dinner for E, and I'm hoping I'll get home before bedtime - otherwise she can just stay up late, although I'll tell her if she's really sleepy she can put her down if she wants. We'll skip bath time. Any advice? I have no idea how much to pay her. I asked, and she said she's just raising money, so she'll take anything I want to give. $10-15/hour? I hope E cooperates!

[oceanchild]

We pay our (very occasional) teenage babysitter $10/hour, plus we usually throw in an extra $10 or so. And if she's there through dinner, we have dinner available for her (which she never eats).

[scrub-jay]

Ask someone local, babysitter rates are very regional.

[OrionGrad]

We've had 2 babysitters, one was $12/hour the other was $15..

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

I would pay $15-20 for someone raising for a mission trip that is very part time (i.e. they're doing a handful of hours for you, not nannying). Regular rates at least here would be $12-14 for one child.

[alotofyarn]

I left my thing early, so she was only here for 2 hours. Hubby actually got home right before me and told her she could leave, and he ended up paying her $40 because that's all he had, so I guess we paid her well! I was going to pay $30, but since it was a short notice, one time thing, and she was raising money, it's fine. She said E was really good, and E was definitely happy when I came home, so all is well. We survived our first non-family babysitter (other than school and church)!

[ladymoreta]

Awesome! A good babysitter is worth their weight in gold! I'm glad it went well. We also pay $10 an hour, plus an additional $10 or so (usually just round up to the next $10 or $20, depending on what I have in my wallet).

[oceanchild]

Glad it went well! The last couple times we've used our babysitter, it's only been after DS was asleep. He's gotten SO bad about separation anxiety. It's great you have someone she knows and likes!