Typical Babysitting Rates
Going out on the town with your spouse so that you can have some time between the two of you is very important to keep a relationship healthy. One way to get away from the kids is to hire a babysitter. One of the most common problems with hiring a babysitter is figuring out how much to pay them.
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Hourly or Day Rate
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Depending on how long you will be gone throughout the day, you may want to consider an hourly or a day rate for your babysitter. If you are only going to be gone for a couple of hours, it might be beneficial to set a day rate for your sitter. That way, if you come back sooner than you expected, your sitter won't be making out with only a few dollars. Alternatively, if know you are going to be out all evening and might end up returning later than you expected, consider an hourly rate; that way she will get paid properly for her time.
Experience
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Another matter to think about is the age and experience of your babysitter. If the sitter is younger or less experienced, you may want to start out by paying her less until you both form a sense of trust with one another. If your babysitter is older or more experienced, you should probably give her a higher rate.
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The Age of Your Child
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You should also think about the age of your child when figuring out how to pay your babysitter. If your child is younger and at a more difficult age that requires constant monitoring, you should pay your babysitter more. But if your child is getting a bit older and is responsible enough that he or she doesn't need constant monitoring, then you can pay your sitter less.
Average Hourly Rates
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As you assess all of the factors of your babysitting situation, knowing what the average pay range for babysitters is can aid in your decision. Most hourly rates for babysitters range from $5 an hour to $15 an hour. Obviously, if your situation calls for a different rate, you can pay whatever you like.
Talk About It
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One of the best things you can do before setting your rate with your babysitter is to talk about it. First, talk about it with your spouse or partner and come to a consensus between the two of you as to how much you are looking to pay. Then, when you choose a babysitter, ask what he or she usually charges. These discussions will help you determine how much to pay your babysitter.
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References
- Photo Credit baby image by Yvonne Bogdanski from Fotolia.com
