Home Babysitter/Mother''s Helper: How much do you pay?

[KimberlyH]

If you have a babysitter or mother''s helper -- someone who comes over and gives you a hand with the kid/s so you can get stuff done -- how much do you pay him/her?

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

I can say how much I earn for doing this... On average 10/hr for one child, 12/hr for two/three, 15/hr for four.

The rate remains constant whether I''m with a family for 2 hours or 8, babysitting or actually nannying, or whether or not a parent is home/present. And it doesn''t change based on a child''s age, though I work primarily with babies and toddlers.

I''m located near a metro area & know people who charge both more and less. The highest rate I''ve encountered is 15/hr for one child.

 

[KimberlyH]

Thanks, PPM. I had a teen in the neighborhood come over and give me a hand the other day and I was suprised by how little she charges, $5 an hour. I figure if someone makes $8 an hour to flip burgers I can pay her $10 an hour to take care of my kiddo. She was really happy to be offered more money, of course, and I''m happy to pay her to more as she is very good with the baby, and a super sweet girl.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

How many kids do you have? Most teens around here charge $8 for two kids. One mom I know found a teen who charged $10 for her three kids.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I pay $10. I think it is fair and always a good idea to keep the babysitter happy

I don''t tip though. I remember decades ago when I started babysitting I would often get tips. Probably b/c they didn''t have the exact amount. I think my first few jobs I got $2 an hour for multiple kids.

 

[Mara]

my sister did this for the last few years while in high school, and she would get $9-10 an hour. personally i thought it was a bargain for what she did! and i agree, keep the babysitter/nanny happy!

 

[Kaleigh]

My daughter charged $10. I think that''s fair..

 

[CaliCushion]

I think the answer depends on two factors---

1. how many kids you have
2. The age/level of experience of your sitter

Here in LA, it seems like high school kids charge about $10/hr. Collee-aged (or older) sitters, who often have experience with children and are also able to drive kids to school, playdates, appointments, etc. charge $14-$20/hr.

 

[PumpkinPie]

when I nannied during university a few years ago, I made between 15$-17$/h - I worked with one family with 3 kids, and one with 2 kids

 

[oobiecoo]

I ALMOST took a job as a nanny but it was more of a mother''s helper type job. The mom worked from home (in the living room) and had a 5 year old and a 2 year old that she needed watched while she worked. She was going to pay me $30/day which equaled out to $3.75 per hour!!!! Things didn''t work out for a couple of reasons and I was thankful since the pay was so low anyway! It seemed outrageous to me.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

eep! Oobie, glad you passed on that!


For a nanny I would pay $10-$25 (probably $15)

for a mother''s helper (probably someone younger like in high school) I''d pay $5-$10.

 

[TravelingGal]

I pay my most excellent nanny $15 an hour in LA. I''ll probably give her a raise sometime this year.