Babysitting Guidelines. What Do You Think About Free?

The gracious thing to do would be to offer payment for them to babysit. In my opinion, it really needs to be their choice as to whether or not you return the favor. And...it should be cash. If you offer payment first, it is likely they might decline it due to the situation and, at which point you can give the "Oh my goodness, thank you! That is so kind of you - I definitely owe you one big time!"

Yes, it would be an expensive night but if finances are that tight you can always have a few alternatives:

-Don't go to the wedding and just send the gift
-Go to the wedding ceremony only (to reduce babysitting costs)
-Go to the reception only (to reduce babysitting costs)
-Go in with another family member who is also attending the wedding, have the same babysitter for all the kids and split the cost

I 100% agree is M.R.

We do trade babysitting from time to time with another family, and it's almost always and even trade where we put dates on the calendar to keep things even. I would NEVER leave anything assumed especially when it comes to returning the favor...don't leave that in their court to initiate.

My family does not charge for sitting. My husbands, brothers wife (was girlfriend at the time) charged us when I was going to school for my 3 month old. I was shocked and will never babysit for her for free. My brothers MIL watched him while I was in class and she did not charge me. So I got a gift certificate for her for Christmas. We too rarley go out with out him. I would anticipate paying this person, but if they are a "real" person they will just want you to sit for their child/children in the future. I have also watched my friends kid several times and I would never dream of charging. Now If you go with a teen, they are looking for payment as this is likely their only job.

Good Luck and have fun at the wedding.

Sometimes I offer a bottle of wine (depending on age) and have dinner for them that night.