[jessibird]

DH and I do not get a sitter very often, but our main sitter is reaching that age where sports and boys is making it hard for her to sit often. So, we are in the process of training/getting used to a new sitter and I am not sure if I am clueless to how much I should pay her per hr.?? What is the going rate? With my old sitter I usually pd her about $3 and hr for 2 kids. Should I be stepping that up a bit or is that still current enough?

[amyfk]

Jess,

I live in NJ. I am not sure where you live. I dont have a sitter yet, but look at the ads. I dont think it's uncommon to pay a sitter $10/hr these days, at least where I live. It's very expensive just to have a few hours to yourself.
Amy K, NJ

[jasonsmom]

I haven't used a sitter since I came home but before I went to China, I occasionally used a sitter for Jason between the time he was 5 and 8 (before 5 only family had watched him). I paid $5.00/hour for the one child and I was told by others that was a bargain (I'd had 2 teen babysitters and each told me $5.00 when I asked what they wanted for pay).

Paula

[ElectricGypsy]

When searching for daycare, I came across many people that also did babysitting services. The average was about $10, but then again, these were adults and not teens doing it in high school and I live in California (everything seems more expensive here!)

[prechrswife]

Since my dh is a pastor, our girls have so many "honorary grandparents" that we rarely have to pay for a sitter. When we do, we pay around $10/hour for 2 kids. The sitter we pay is a college student, not a high school student.

[jessibird]

Oh my - At $10/hr I am way off, but if I paid a 15 yr old that kind of money in my small town I bet I would have teen beating down my door to watch my kids! Plus, I can't offord that. It would be $40 just to go out to dinner and a movie! I may have to ask our new sitters mom what she thinks she should get-we are friends and teach together. When I babysat 15 years ago I got $1/hr for each kid, so 2 kids would be $2 and hour. I would sit for 5 hrs and get a ten dollar bill! Maybe I should babysit next summer for some extra money-LOL Thanks for your input ladies. It helped me see that I may need to increase a little.

[amyfk]

Yes, it's sad how expensive it is just to go out for a quick dinner and drinks.
Amy K, NJ

[thundrrds]

ohh to be able to only pay a sitter (regardless of the sitter's age) 'only' 4 or 5.00 per hour.

[ashmilf]

We pay $10/hr. for two kids, or I suppose $5/hour. We asked both of our sitters and this is about average around here (I live in a small town in TX). It's insane. My husband and I don't get to go out very often simply b/c we can't afford a sitter! This past thursday was our anniversary and our appt. at USCIS to be fingerprinted. We spent $60 just on a sitter so we could go to "the city", eat some lunch, and get fingerprinted. Nothing says love like mexican food and and a background check!

[mschaefer]

We are in DE. We pay $10/hour for two children -- sitters are college students. Although 20 years ago I can remember making $5/hour for two to three children in and around this area.

[jessibird]

Originally Posted by ashmilf

Nothing says love like mexican food and and a background check!

LOL
Only to us would that be a 'perfect' date! People will think I won the Lotto when I get my appt. letter!

[karla-k]

Another option to look at is trading babysitting with friends...you watch their kids one week, they watch the kids the next week, etc.

Babysitters are expensive, but we are blessed...the lady who did in home daycare for my kids when I worked charges $2 an hour per kid. She does work some evenings with advance notice, so in a pinch we could get a good qualified babysitter that our kids knew for $6 an hour.

Karla

[mkinzie]

I pay $8 to $10/hr per one child. I wish it were cheaper but babysitters are in high demand where I am. Needless to say, we don't go out without her very often! Not only because of the price but also because it's hard to get a sitter!