OT: Babysitting Rates

Well, we have figured it it wouldn't pay for me to find a part-time job right now due to the fact that the sitter that comes in to take care of mom charges $16.00 pr/hr, so we would actually be out money.  I have decided to go back to babysitting.  What are the going rates anymore?  I have no idea, usually when I babysit, it is my niece's and nephew..lol Dee

I pay my babysitter 10-12 bucks an hour for a 2 year old and a 4 year old.  Babysitters are expensive lol....

I have one question. I know it is a bit nosey but how much do you make to be able to afford that? I mean it would bring my hubby's pay down to like $5 and hour and gas for commuting would eat that up. Sorry but I just can't phathom paying a sitter that much. My mind and in this area is more like $20-30 a day so about $100-150/wk. Now I know why I am glad I have teenagers. lol this world gets more expensive all the time. Beth

im not talking for a weekly rate, i was just talking when we go out at night to dinner or something...If we were to take our children into a daycare it would be well over 300 for the week though.  I am just talking hourly.  I make good money WHen I am working.  I am a union laborer...

Dee, when my daughter had child care a couple of years ago, it was 120 a week for one and 80 more for each additional child.  It sure beats what my mother charged when she ran a daycare in East St. Louis. She charged 15 for one, and 25 for 2, and her people thought she was robbing them. Of course, this was back in the 50's.

OMG!  There is no way I can afford another kid.  I never realized that daycare cost that much.  ~Michelle

Dee, I babysitt kids 4 days a week and there is a shortage of good babysitters out there.  When I first started babysitting, I charged $15 per kid for all day.  That included all meals and snacks.  I was not breaking even.  Then when I told the family that I could no****ch the kids any more, they came back and asked if they doubled my pay, would I stay babysitting them.  So....today I watch 3 kids plus my 1.  The 5 month old is $30 a day and the 2 year old is $30 a day and the 6 year old is $10 after school or $15 all day.  So average is $70 a day for 3 kids.  Not bad in a days work, but every penny deserved!