What to Pay Babysitter When Adding a 2Nd Child to the Mix...??

Updated on October 15, 2006
J. asks from Macomb, MI
14 answers

Hi!
I have a wonderful sitter, actually two wonderful sitters that my son loves. I pay them $4 an hour and normally give them a little extra when they sit. My question is... I have a 2 month old daughter now also, and I don't know what to raise the pay rate to now that they'll be watching two rather than just one child? My son is no work, he's 3 1/2 years old with no seperation anxiety at all. But I know a 2 month old is a lot of work. What do you suggest??
Thanks for any help at all!
J.

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So What Happened?

Wanted to thank everyone for their responses! I went the easy route and just asked her what she wanted... She said to start $8 an hour, because the baby can be a handful right now. But then she said when she gets a bit older and not so hard to handle, it will go down to $6 an hour :) So I believe that's fair.
Thanks Again!!

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N.K.

answers from Toledo on

I would say to go up at least another dollar, if not two dollars. I think $6 would be good. Hope that helps.

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P.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

Sometimes the pay depends on your going rates in the neighborhood. It also depends on the age of the sitter. Mature adults and older girls...You know they can get a job making 10 bucks an hour just about anywhere...where the pay / hours are steady and no one calls to cancel, resulting in a loss of anticipated income. If you like your sitters, pay them well so they continue to want to come back to your house. I'd pay 6-7 dollars an hour for a younger sitter, up to 10 an hour for high school seniors on up. It's expensive, but totally worth it for reliable help. P.

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C.P.

answers from Cleveland on

well i only charge $20 a day for 2 kids so if u need a babbysitter im here i live in ellet and i have a 10 month old son my name is C.

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A.O.

answers from Columbus on

Our base rate has always been $3 for one kid, $5 for both, but then tip an extra hour at the end of the night, plus include dinner (like spaghetti and salad with the kids). So an average deal for the sitter might be 6pm-10pm: 6-8 dinner and play with kids, 8-10 time alone to read or tv, and go home with $25. It's always been reasonable all the way around :-)

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J.

answers from Detroit on

my son is a freshman and gets 5.00 for one kid and 8.00 an hour for 2 kids (one is in diapers but is 1 yr old)

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J.D.

answers from Columbus on

Wow! $4 an hour! Where are you from? I thought this sight was local. If you are from Logan, Ohio that is way too much.

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D.N.

answers from Columbus on

i pay my baby sitter 25 dollars a day and that is for a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old and when she started watching my son he was only 6 months!!!

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H.B.

answers from Detroit on

Coming from someone that was babysitting not too long ago, if you want a good sitter and want them to take good care of your children I would suggest paying $10/hr for 2 kids-no matter how difficult or easy they are-otherwise you may find they are not available to sit for you very often. Once you find a good sitter, treat them well, you don't want to lose them.

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N.W.

answers from Detroit on

I would increase it at least 2$. The baby will be a lot more work and you still want her to play with your 3 1/2 year old. Further, there have been a few comments regarding the hourly rate at daycares. You can't really base a baby sitters rate on that. The daycares have one provider for every 4 to 8 children and make very little profit. It is not a comparable situation. It also depends how much you can afford and how happy you are with your sitter (and if they are highshcool or college). We pay 10$ for one child 2 1/2 but only use college students who are education majors. I am more than comfortable with them, they all know CPR and have lots of experience with children-- and because we pay well, I always can find a sitter.

Good luck.

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P.J.

answers from Columbus on

$4.00 per hour raise it to $8.00 to $10.00 thats what my child care provider did she charge the same price per kid no matter what the age

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T.

answers from Toledo on

Hi J.. I would raise it to at least $6/hour given the ages of your children. I also think that the 3 1/2 yr old could be a handful trying to entertain for some so take that into account. Good luck!

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M.

answers from Kalamazoo on

I am confused as to why you would pay someone that much. daycare providers who make watching children their buisness only get between 2.50 and 3.00 an hour. I know that I have tried to look for a sitter since moving here and they are charging up to 6.00 an hour. something I wouldnt and cant afford to pay. i know this is no help to your situation but if you can afford 4 for one child. i would maybe say 6 or even ask your sitters. sorry if that seems mean.

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B.M.

answers from Detroit on

It really depends on your income.
I watched my aunt and uncle's 3 kids (3,5,8) full time and got $4.50/hr per child... but they had 2 six figure incomes. I also did light housework and took the kids out to lunch once a week with the money they paid me for watching them.

Now when I watched my neighbors 2 kids, I got $7 an hour. They only made about $60,000-$70,000/year.

I've even babysat my mom's friend's 2 kids for $4/ hour for about 5 weeks because she couldn't afford anymore then that.

So, if you can afford $7/hour, then I would do that. Talk it over with the main babysitter and see what she thinks. She may even say only $6.50/hr!

~B.

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J.

answers from Detroit on

Hi J.,
I recently asked the same question and the resounding answer for two was $7-$8/hour.
J.

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