My husband and I are invited to an adults only wedding this Sunday. It is two hours away and we are staying for the weekend. Normally the grandparents would babysit but they are all unavailable. We have two children, aged 4 and 2, who are pretty well-behaved. How much would you expect to pay a 21-year-old cousin to babysit for 8 hours on Sunday afternoon, including money for gas (2 hours each way)? Thanks in advance!
To elaborate, we are able to be with our kids for most of the weekend (they are even invited to a pre-wedding event on Saturday night). We just need babysitting for 8 hours during the wedding on Sunday.
i agree with the majority so far. $75 at an absolute minimum (i don't suppose she wants to drive up with you and stay?)
$100-$120 is probably fair.
khairete
S.
$10/hr is the going rate. However, if she is expected to drive 2 hrs each way plus stay with your children I would pay around $150 to cover her travel time and gas.
CASH
Have fun
OK, do I have this straight? You and your kids will be at the wedding location already. The ousin will drive to where you are and babysit the kids while the wedding/reception is going on, and then drive home.
$10/hour seems to be a reasonable amount. ( 8 hours of sitting + 4 hours of driving ) x $10 = $120 + gas... now, that will vary depending on what gas costs where you are and what kind of car the cousin has, but I think $30 is reasonable. So that gets you to $150, which seems very fair to me.
I would go with 150 for the day as well.
boy, that's a lot of expectation for a 21yo....following a "Saturday" night. :)
Basically, she's going to put in a 12 hour day (minimum), if you include the driving.
If you include the gas, I'm thinking easily $100 or more. Holiday weekend, long day, + 4 hours of driving. Yep....you owe her!
So, that's 12 hours + gas.
$120 plus a gas gift card for $25
Your staying for the weekend and it's only EIGHT hours?
$100 - 150 for the weekend!
I think I get it - you're going for the whole weekend, and you need her to drive up and take the kids during the wedding and reception, and then she can drive back.
Because it's going to be a long day for her with so much driving, I'd pay the $150 which includes gas money.
Dawn
$10 an hour.. I would probably round up to $100 and call the $20 extra a tip.. maybe she is in college and can use the money.
I do $10 an hour for date nights. But this is an all day thing, so I'd offer $50 for the day. I'd give her gas money, and maybe throw in a little bonus for the inconvenience. But the kids will take naps and it's family. I think $50 plus gas is low, but my sitters are fabulous and they would do it for that price.
Is she going with you? I would give her $100 for the babysitting. She can take the kids to the pool and then back to the room for naps. I would make sure there is a refrig and microwave in the room. Bring along snacks and whatever you want for drinks. If you have something she can re-heat in the microwave for dinner that would help also.
I worked as an on the road salesperson and always took my picnic basket with dishes and flatware, a sharp knife (just in case) and napkins. It's also nice to have something to clean-up spills with, and a small bottle of dish detergent. You can wash up the dishes in the bathroom sink. Paper plates are easier but with kids can be more prone to spills.
I think I would find someone in the town the wedding is going to be in. That way you would save a lot of money. Otherwise just take the babysitter with you and pay them $XXX for the whole day.
I pay a lot less than others do. I do not pay a babysitter more than minimum wage, I think that is a slap in the face to every person who works as a professional in child care. They have hours and hours of training and take care of groups of children. They get paid just over minimum wage.
I would just make offer to the person you are considering and give her certain hours she will be expected to watch the kids and then how much money you are offering her to do this. Plus she rides to and from with you so that you are sure she is going to show up and not break down of get lost.
