What to Pay My Sitter? (Overnight for My Surgery)

Updated on October 16, 2012
M.D. asks from Washington, DC
5 answers

I have surgery next Thursday and we just found out my hubby can stay overnight with me. My family is not so great about helping with the kids, so I already have my sitter lined up to go with my kindergarten son on his field trip that day, and then stay with the kids until 9 or so, after bed time. She would be back at 615 in the morning to get them off to school, but she has agreed to just stay the night so mu husband can stay with me in the hospital.

I pay her $100 a week for the mornings, so the "extra pay" is outside of 615-815am. I am paying her an additional $100 for the field trip and then the after school-bed time hours. How much more should I pay her to sleep there?

Let me just add a note that she is AMAZING. We have been so blessed to have her come in and take such good care of our kids. She is SO patient with our youngest and has not been late one time in over a year, when the start time is 615. Normally I'm running a few minutes late and she beats me to the living room area. I definitely don't want to short change her, but budget is a factor because the surgery and all of the supplies I will need are pricey.

Thanks in advance!

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So What Happened?

Holy cow, Robin! You're nice!! That's more than $10 an hour when they are all sleeping :).

My sister called and wants to do it. So she will come as early as 615 and relieve my sitter...so the sitter will make out with $100 from 815-615 and then my sister will stay with them overnight :).

More Answers

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S.R.

answers from Lincoln on

i would tt her about this. come to an agreement on payment so that there is no confusion on anyone's part. I would even offer a gift card to one of her fav restaurants just because you feel she is going above and beyond. i know how you feel. we dont have any family where we live either so when my babysitter goes above and beyond for me i always make her feel appreciated! i would rather spend the extra few bucks even though it might hurt us a little on a person that i totally trust with my babies! sitters are so hard to come by these days and i hear of so many horror stories of sitters abusing kids. good luck on your surgery!

2 moms found this helpful

M.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

An extra 30 bucks? I think the 100 you are paying her is generous so I would just add on a little more for the extra hours. She prob. will not sleep as well in your house so it is a bit of an inconvenience for her.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

I would ask her what she thinks is fair. When I went into labor in the middle of the night, I called my home daycare provider and she let me drop my son off at 3:00 am. We offered her money but she wouldn't take it. Of course, my husband is taking her son to baseball practice tonight because she can't, so it kinda works out.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.M.

answers from Cumberland on

An additional $100??

1 mom found this helpful
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P.K.

answers from New York on

Wouldn't is just be easier if your husband came home and took care of things. Certainly cheaper!! He could stay for a while after the surgery and then go home and take care of his kids. After he gets them off to school, he comes to get you. Seems less complicated this way. You will have nurses for your needs.

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