Need help with something..

Boys r us wrote: Most of the time when we go out we have family who watches the kids for us, but we have plans for St Patrick's day thursday night and since it's a school night, we don't want to have the kids away from home, so I hired a sitter to come to our house and watch them. But given that I've never had anyone watch them that I had to pay, I don't know how much to pay her. I should also say that this is my little brother's long time girlfriend..so feasibly, she could be my sister in law one day, I don't want to make bad water with her! She's also coming home from college to do this for me(which is about 45 minutes away) So I want to make sure that I pay her enough to cover the babysitting and for her gas.

We're leaving the house about 7 and will be home by 1am.

kit_kats_mom replied: I pay the teenager that watches K $5/hr & we usually have a pizza delivered for her...but that's cheap. She's one of DH'S co-workers kids & she told us to not give her more. I'm not sure what the going rate is. I'd just ask her what she thinks is fair.

mammag replied: For 2 kids/6hrs. I'd probably do about $30-$40. Is she leaving at 1 and driving 45mins back? And I would also recommend the pizza.

Hope you have a fun time out.

My2Beauties replied: I agree with the $30-$40, and a pizza or something she likes delivered!

Becky74 replied: Jaz's daycare provider told us she'd watch Jaz for $10/hr, when we asked how much more for J she said it'd be up to us, we will be using her in April. Have you asked her what she would like to be paid?

Boys r us replied: No, she's spending the night and I will have take out for them, she likes the olive garden, so maybe I'll grab something from there for them.

mckayleesmom replied: 10 dollars an HOUR? ...Thats crack talk. No way...I would stay home. Heres a thought Nichole...just call her and ask her what her going rate is...that way you can have the money available for her when she is done. I have had people ask before and vice versa.

Kaitlin'smom replied: me I would pay $60 plus the take out, that adds to $5 per kid per hour.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I was told to pay around $5-$7 dollars per child/per hour around here. I've never gotten a sitter for the kids, either.

Alice replied: For our 3 kids we pay $7-8 per hour.

You might consider asking her if she wants to spend the night. That way she's not out on the roads at 1am on St. Patrick's night, when there are wayyyyy too many drunk drivers out there.

mammag replied:

Can I come babysit for you some time???

ediep replied: I've never hired a sitter either, but I was going to say 40 plus dinner for jason, so maybe 50 since you have 2, I wouldn't give more than that

DVFlyer replied: I like the idea of asking her what she thinks would be good. Dinner would be a given. Maybe rent a movie unless the kids have their favs already.

Have fun on your night out.

Boys r us replied: thanks for all of your input! I asked her via email today how much and she said.."Oh you don't have to pay me, I love your 2 guys!" Hmm..yeah!
No help there!LOL

I just talked it over with Rick we agree that we would pay her 10/hr (not sure exactly how many hours it will be yet) and then give her 15 bucks for gas over and above that. She really is doing me a HUGE favor by coming home to sit for me, since I don't know anyone else to ask and I want to make sure she keeps me HIGH on her list for the next time I need someone!

amymom replied: You know if you think you don't want to give her money, 'cuz she said you don't need to ... You could give her a gas card then she will think of you all when she gets her gas coming from and to college. College kids always need gas money. Or pizza money or some such gift card.

loveydad replied: I would figure out how much it would cost if they were at daycare for the time you're going to be gone. I can't do the math but you could lol.

Or get her a nice gift certificate that's nice.

I'm no help I pay the teenagers that babysit $10 dollars an hour -thats only a 2 dollars for each kid per hour unless they have the 3 little ones, then I hire two kids and pay them each 10 per hour. Sorry that makes no sense.