This Friday my husband and I are going away overnight. We will basically be gone from 5:00 p.m. Friday night and come home at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. We have some close family friends who are going to come and take care of our four children, ages 13, 9, 4 and almost 2.
I just don't know what to pay for this type of care. I understand that taking care of that many children is a lot of work and deserves a high pay rate, but I really don't know what we should pay. Does anyone have any suggestions/tips/ideas that can help me?
My husband and I will only be about 15 minutes away. We aren't leaving the city, just trying to have a short time out.
First of all, THANK YOU so much for your responses and suggestions. We got back this evening from our 24 hours away and had a wonderful time. We ended up paying $150 to these friends. They are good friends, but we also know that they are struggling financially. Of course, they probably would have done it for free, but this was a good way for us to help them financially and for them to help us have a night away.
After all was said and done, the friends told us that we paid too much and asked if they could return some of the money. The oldest son of this friend is 21 and getting married next month. Of course we refused to take any of the money back.
I really appreciate everyone's assistance and suggestions. Obviously in different parts of the country, prices range drastically.
Thank you again.
I have offered to watch friend's kids for weekends I would never expect or take money from my friends.
That long and that many kids, I'd offer $200. We paid our kids' daycare provider around $150 to watch them overnight, from one afternoon to middle of the next morning.
If they refuse the money, I'd then send them a generous gift certificate to a nice restaurant in your area and offer to watch their kids for free.
ETA: Night shift isn't guaranteed down time. Our son was around 7 at the time we did this and got disoriented going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. He didn't make it there in time and peed down our babysitter's carpet. She was scrubbing carpets at 2 am.
If they are close friends it would be awkward to pay them, I think. But I WOULD offer to do the same thing for them, if they have kids. If not, I would for sure give them a really nice gift, like a really good bottle of wine along with a good size gift card ($75-$100) to a special restaurant, some place they wouldn't normally go. I vote for Ruth Chris!
Also leave plenty of food, drinks and snacks on hand for them as well as the kids before you leave.
Have fun!!!
They are close friends. Are they expecting to get paid? I would give them a gift card to their favorite nice restaurant
100 - 150.. I imagine the kids will sleep for about 10 hours.. so the caregivers will get a break..
I would leave money for pizza or quick easy dinner... also maybe a rental movie for the kids to enjoy.. make it as easy as possible.
I was ready to say at $10 per hour, that's $240 max. But with sleeping and a larger paycheck you could probably offer $100-$150.
But four kids?
Let's discount the 13yo and 9yo - they likely can be somewhat self-sustaining for 24hrs. I'd say offer $200-$300.
We'd probably offer our babysitter $200. Maybe $250.
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missed the close family friends. I'd buy a restaurant gift card for $200.
Ditto CAWriterMom, I'd do the same.
My niece watched our 2 boys for a similar length of time for $175. Since you have 4 but two are a bit more "self-sufficient," I would say $250. I agree that since they are friends, maybe a $200 gift card. Unless there has already been discussions about payment (like they are really happy they have an opportunity to earn some extra cash, for example).
4 kids? Definitely $300 or so. $250 if you are super close and they will let you bring them dinner sometime.
I would suggest $200. That seems like a nice amount for 24 hours. If you had an hourly sitter for $20/hour for 10 hours, that's the same.
They may be uncomfortable taking cash (unless that was already part of the agreement).
I would suggest $200- $250 gift card to a place they would enjoy or use (like Target) with a handwritten thank you note. If you can't afford that amount, then give what you can afford but don't forget the thank you note!
My babysitter charges $150 the first night and $100 for each night thereafter.
