I have been struggling with this question for a long time. My husband and I go on dates every Friday night but as you can imagine getting a babysitter and paying for it week after week is hard and expensive. I have been paying $8 an hour lately for my four kids, which averages to $2 an hour per kid. In my book that is cheap but collectively as a group I think it's fine (and I think it's about the same as minimum wage in the US). But even that I think is a little pricey. Because if we go for 2 hours, that's $16 for one date, which times four in a month is $64 so it adds up. Anyway, I am wondering if I can get away with paying less than that... :mellow: How much do you pay for babysitting if you don't mind me asking?
Babysitting... how much do you pay?
- Thread starter yari
- Start date
Every time I tried to find a babysitter they usually wanted 5$ an hour per kid. For my very self sufficent kids this seemed over priced to me. I'd be so happy with the idea of 2$.
My mom does childcare for a living. She charges 30$ a day per kid(That averages to an hourly about 3.75$.) or 125$(That averages to an hourly about 3.12$.) a week per kid. And thats for a usual 5 day week. I think you're getting a heck of a deal at 2$ personally. But I'd also love to go on a date some time this century.
My mom does childcare for a living. She charges 30$ a day per kid(That averages to an hourly about 3.75$.) or 125$(That averages to an hourly about 3.12$.) a week per kid. And thats for a usual 5 day week. I think you're getting a heck of a deal at 2$ personally. But I'd also love to go on a date some time this century.
We only use a babysitter once or twice a year so usually pay a bit more since its just random. 
I think what you are paying for 4 kids (all still being young) is a good in all honesty but prices could be different down where you live compared to here
If you are worried about costs I wonder if there is a way you could have date nights at home every other week or so? once the kiddos are in bed perhaps you could set something up nice at home? feed the kids first at dinnertime and maybe have something small with them and then when they are asleep perhaps you could have a nice dinner for just the two of you? rent a movie and cuddle on the couch
I think what you are paying for 4 kids (all still being young) is a good in all honesty but prices could be different down where you live compared to here
If you are worried about costs I wonder if there is a way you could have date nights at home every other week or so? once the kiddos are in bed perhaps you could set something up nice at home? feed the kids first at dinnertime and maybe have something small with them and then when they are asleep perhaps you could have a nice dinner for just the two of you? rent a movie and cuddle on the couch
This! We pay $5 an hour when we have to pay a sitter. Luckily, we have friends we swap childcare with. The girls hang out with them when we go out, and their kids hang out with us when they go out. It's when we go out together that we end up having to pay someone. lol
See this is eye opening for me because I was wanting to pay less and thought that maybe I could get away with it so these are awesome responses. Thank you! The whole idea of trading with someone is great. I have thought about that but there's not that many families I know that have 4 kids too making it fair for them. And the dates at home are a great idea if we could actually stick to having some of them. When we go that route we typically end up just spending time at home as usual and nothing that has to do the two of us. I was thinking it might be good to just go every other weekend and the in between do a date at home but one of my husband's resolutions for this year is to go on 52 dates with me. LOL um, that's going to be a little difficult (a lot) once baby #5 is here!
Well I think if you plan in advance for date nights at home you could make it work. An Idea would be to each of you have your own date coupon book and maybe switch each week take turns with picking what date you have at home. It could be fun and make things nice. Just as long as you stay committed to making the effort to do what the coupons say
That's a good idea. I wonder if there's a site out there that has ideas on home dates, perhaps even on pinterest. Off to look! The hard part IS staying committed to making it a date that's for sure. Perhaps after doing it several times we can get used to it and get really good at it.
NeverendingJen
Active member
I remember my parents having date nights at home a lot growing up, they'd set the dining room table with nice dishes and order takeout from a restaurant and they'd set us kids up with a pizza and rented movies and sometimes hire a teen/tween from church to supervise us.
Awww that's actually really sweet! I actually love that idea!
The babysitters I get are always teenage young women from church.
NeverendingJen
Active member
Lavendaria. it's one of my two favorite script fonts, I am obsessed.
taracotta7
New member
Totally this.
SeattleSheri
Sweet Shoppe SugarBabe
I would say $10-12 per hour is the going rate in our area, however, we only have 2 kids and they are 6 & 8.
Yari, have you ever been to the Dating Divas site? They have some fun ideas there. At least, they used to. I haven't visited for quite awhile. I *think* they have some ideas for at home. We often play games or watch movies together--but we LOVE games. And usually have a yummy snack or treat. (oh, just found the at home section: http://www.thedatingdivas.com/date-night/at-home/)
Also... with the trading, it is nice if it's 4 and 4, but that isn't always possible! I have many friends with 3 kids that would happily trade with us, so maybe that could work for you?
Also... with the trading, it is nice if it's 4 and 4, but that isn't always possible! I have many friends with 3 kids that would happily trade with us, so maybe that could work for you?
dana
New member
i don't have too much to add because i think the trading w/ friends is a great idea, as is doing dates at home. in our area, babysitting is much more expensive - we pay $15/hour for two kids (6 and 4) - my friend with three kids pays $20/hour.
another thing we try to take advantage of is Parent's NIght Out at our YMCA and gymnastics/ballet studios. they charge $15 - 20 for 3 hours i think - per child and that includes pizza for dinner.
another thing we try to take advantage of is Parent's NIght Out at our YMCA and gymnastics/ballet studios. they charge $15 - 20 for 3 hours i think - per child and that includes pizza for dinner.
Beth Swann
New member
Yari, I usually pay about $3 per kid per hour and I am up front about what I pay. But I do usually round up once the hours are added up (i.e. 3 hours=$24 dollars so I will just give $25). So if my babysitter doesn't agree, she can back out before the evening arrives. I've checked with daycare facilities around here and they charge less than that so I figure I am paying pretty well. I also take into consideration how much work my kids are to watch factoring in age, etc.
Also, yes, it can be expensive. Sometimes we trade with other couples as well. However, my hubby and I always say it's cheaper to hire a babysitter than to be paying for couples therapy, LOL! We consider date night therapeutic for our marriage and we'd much rather spend it on a fun date than on a counselor or psychiatrist because we weren't spending enough time together and started having issues. Just my two cents...
Also, yes, it can be expensive. Sometimes we trade with other couples as well. However, my hubby and I always say it's cheaper to hire a babysitter than to be paying for couples therapy, LOL! We consider date night therapeutic for our marriage and we'd much rather spend it on a fun date than on a counselor or psychiatrist because we weren't spending enough time together and started having issues.
Just my two cents...
hummie
New member
Wow. Interesting read.
I made a lot of money in my teens babysitting (enough for my first year of college) and I receive a $1 an hour regardless how many children there were. I think minimum wage was around $3 back then.
So considering inflation, and rounding minimum wage down to $7 for calculation purposes, one-third of minimum wage is $2.33.
I made a lot of money in my teens babysitting (enough for my first year of college) and I receive a $1 an hour regardless how many children there were. I think minimum wage was around $3 back then.
So considering inflation, and rounding minimum wage down to $7 for calculation purposes, one-third of minimum wage is $2.33.
Ronisdragon
New member
I think part of it is where in the country you live. I was getting $10 an hour for 1 child 11 years ago. If I was babysitting 3 kids I would definitely not take the job for under $12 and I would really be looking for more. There are so many factors though. I think if you have a young teenager you can pay less than if it is an adult with experience or college credits in child development or education. I think swapping child care with someone else with kids is a great idea!