How much should you pay a babysitter who watches your kids Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.?
Over on the Mamas Uncut Facebook page, our robust community of moms is always having a conversation about topics that matter. We like to highlight those conversations from time to time. Important questions. Thoughtful answers. This is our Community Questions feature!
A member of our community asks:
Just wanted to ask other mamas: What’s a good amount to pay a sitter who watches my daughter 5 days a week from 9:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.?
– Mamas Uncut Community Member
The Mamas Uncut Facebook community rushed in with a ton of good advice. Here are eight great answers to consider.
It Depends on Your Location
“It really depends where you live and the average rate in your area. We pay $460/week for 3 days 7:30-5:30.”
Cost-Per-Kid
“I pay $20 a day per kid. My kids are at the sitter’s house from either 6 or 6:30 am until 3 or 4 pm. Just depends on your area.”
Advice from a Babysitter
“At least $35 a day. That’s what I get for a 10-hour day.”
More Money for Full Days
“I pay $250 a week from 8-5…. 5 days a week for my 1 year old.”
Another Childcare Provider’s Rate
“In my area I got paid $70 for 5 hours. My sitter’s sitter pays $100 a day for 8 hours.”
A Flat Rate
“$200 a week.”
A Flexible Rate (with Perks)
“I use to sit (while very pregnant) for my fiancé’s co-worker’s two younger kids (junior and senior kindergarten). It sometimes included bedtime (I started as soon as they were off the bus). I was tight on money and she drove me back n forth, so regularly $40 and sometimes $45 a day.”
Consider the Workload
“$150 to $200 if you provide all the needed food and supplies. Those are long hours and a decent amount of days.”
It Depends on Your Relationship With the Sitter
“I paid my sitter $10 an hour. She was my friend though. Daycares around me are around $175-$250 a week.”
It’s a Full-Time Job, So Factor That In
“Thats basically a full time job so that definitely should be considered”
All good answers, even though they vary wildly. So what to do? We recommend considering the following questions:
- How many children need to be watched?
- What is the average day/hourly rates for babysitting services are in your geographic area?
- Does the babysitter have to provide anything (food, snacks, car, etc.)?
- Do you need to factor in the sitter’s commute?
- How much does daycare cost in your area?
After answering those questions, hopefully you are able to get a better idea of what works for your location and your family.
Do you have a question you’d like answered? Submit it to the Mamas Uncut Facebook page, and we may feature it along with some of the best answers on this site! You can remain completely anonymous while still getting the information and support you need from other moms who know what it’s like.
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