4Real Forums: babysitter $ ?

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Topic: babysitter $ ?

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Barbara C.
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Joined: July 11 2007
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Posted: Jan 10 2008 at 3:45pm \| IP Logged

I should know exactly how much the minimum wage is since I was making it this summer. In Illinois I believe it went up to $8.50. Of course, I don't know if babysitters should be expected to be paid lest for a very important job; I really think it's a sad commentary that lawmakers actually think that people can get by with such a low hourly wage.

I will note that probably the best age of babysitters to get is between sixteen and eighteen. At this age, their other job opportunities are more limited and they probably still have enough child left in them to enjoy playing lots of pretend with little ones.

My last two years of college I babysat for my favorite professor. Now since my job included picking the child up from a daycare program and keeping a key to their house, I can see why they would rather leave the responsibility with a college student. But I must admit that I had crossed that age of being able to really get into tea parties and such. It's kind of sad to think about the ways we unconsciously say goodbye to Neverland. But maybe that's food for another thread.

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Barbara
Mom to "spirited" dd(9), "spunky" dd (6), "sincere" dd (3), "sweet" dd (2), and baby girl #5 born 8/1/12!!
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Fuzzy
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Joined: March 07 2007
Location: Virginia
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Posted: Jan 10 2008 at 4:17pm \| IP Logged

I have only hired a sitter once, since I am so blessed to have family close. I told her I was going to give $6 an hour, and that was because I checked with some other ladies locally and asked what THEY pay. I was very politely told that "the class I took told me to charge $8"! This young lady is 13, and I was quite taken aback! Granted, I LOVED that she cleaned my kitchen while I was gone, as well as the play area, but it still made me feel funny.

I was trying to remember how old I was when I babysat, which I did a lot, especially when I was able to drive. I wish some of you ladies lived closer, as it helps so much to know the families.

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Fuzzy
Mom to DS 12, DD 10, DS 7, and DS 4, and DD 1!
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kingvozzo
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Joined: March 28 2005
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Posted: Jan 10 2008 at 4:47pm \| IP Logged

I think there's a big difference between occasional babysitters and professional child caregivers. I absolutely believe that professional child care workers should be better trained and better paid. also, people ought to be able to sustain some kind of modest living working at a min. wage job.
I think the idea that occasional baby sitters, who are not relying on this work to support a family or even live independently, earning $8 and up an hour seems to be a bit much.
I agree with 16-18 being the best age for a sitter...but we haven't had any luck finding one in that age range. They're all too busy! Or I'd love to find a youngish grandma-type for an occasional night out.

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Noreen
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