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ADVICE | ON THE JOB | BABYSITTING

Babysitting 411: What's normal?


When it comes to babysitting, what’s normal? I had my first babysitting job ever last night and I got home at 1 a.m. Is it always going to be like that? I’m worried that it will affect my schoolwork and my social life. I’m also having trouble deciding on a reasonable price--$5 an hour, $10 hour. What’s normal?

“Normal” depends on the situation. For example, some families have a parent working the night shift and need someone all night long. Others need someone during the day, or right after school. Most date nights are on weekends, and only last a few hours.

Be proactive
What you need to do is clarify with the parent beforehand what times you will be expected to babysit. Make sure you ask before agreeing to the job, and let them know if you need to be home by a certain time. Usually if you do this, the parents will respect your wishes and be home in time.

Cha-ching!
As far as pay goes, that’s negotiable and is dependent on how experienced you are, how many kids you are babysitting, what day and time you are babysitting, and how big the city is that you are babysitting in. For example, for someone with 5 years of experience in a mid-size to large city, one child on a weekend evening would cost the parents about $8.50. The same person in a smaller town would expect to be paid a little less. You can usually search on the Internet for babysitting pay calculators to help you decide.

BY SHELBY CONQUES ON 2/11/2011 7:00:00 AM

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19 Comments | Add Yours
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As soon as school starts im going to babysit two kids , kindergarten and second grade every other Wednesday is 10 dollars enough?

by KEEPCALMANDCARRYON on 8/25/2011 3:39:46 PM

 
 



MOD!!!!!!!!
Ok so I babysat today for the first time and it went awesome but when It came time for pay the woman gave me $25 for 2 1/2 hours is that ok? I feel like she paid me too much she said I earned it though and wouldn't take no for an answer.




Hey girlie,

Yeah, that's a good price! That's $10 an hour, which is a couple dollars over the national minimum wage (which I usually say should be your example when you're deciding how much you'll charge for babysitting). It might be a little high, but she paid you that much because she trusts you with her kids and thinks you did a good job. Be proud of yourself! Smile
Lauren C.

by BluePolkaDots on 8/15/2011 10:35:16 PM

 
 

I would love to babysit but when I'm babysitting babies I feel unprepared and irresponsible and scared what should I do with my baby prob?

by tennkait on 8/3/2011 2:37:54 PM

 
 



Mod
I live in California. How much should I charge a family of two kids if I'm 13 years old? My mom paid $10 an hour , but the family I babysit for only pays $5 an hour. Thanks!




Hey babe! I would definitely charge more than 5 bucks! Especially if it's more than one kid. I got $10 an hour too, but if the family is giving you 5 maybe they don't have much to spare, I would ask for minimum wage, which is $8 in California. If it's more than one kid I might even ask for 9 or 10. Good luck xoxo 
Jess W.

by Doodle600 on 7/1/2011 11:53:16 AM

 
 



MOD MOD MOD
I got a babysitting job for a girl in my church. She's about six, but she isn't a princess-y girly girl type. I'm not sure what games or activities to do with her. Got any ideas???




Hey babe,

She'll love getting outside and having fun by playing soccer, catch, softball, or frisbee. She'll also probably love getting dirty in a sandbox or running through a sprinkler! Still, even non-girly girls like to unwind inside, so try reading books with her, coloring in coloring books, or take the advice in this article Smile
Lauren C.

by sophlida on 6/20/2011 7:02:37 PM

 
 



MOD~
I'm trying to get babysitting jobs but can't find any. So, I'm trying to save up $200 for camera lens, and I already have 100. Are there any other tips on saving, besides babysitting (fast?)
Thanks!




Hey girl,

Of course! Try doing a spring cleaning (or maybe a "summer" cleaning is more accurate) of your room, putting together clothes, books, toys, and other objects you don't need/want anymore. Then have a garage sale on a cool weekend day to sell the stuff. You might only get a few bucks for some of the items, but every little bit helps! You could also ask around to see if any of your family/neighbors needs yardwork, house cleaning, garage cleaning, or chores done. Charge a small fee for each and make sure you work hard to ask around - you'll add it all up in no time!! 
Lauren C.

by iluvlax99 on 6/9/2011 8:01:53 PM

 
 

I always let the parents decide my pay!

by hbmsbraceface on 5/28/2011 3:37:52 PM

 
 

GL, I wish you had this article about a year ago. Its a help but it would have answered more of my questions then.

by luckykel on 5/14/2011 10:13:47 PM

 
 

MODMOD: I babysit these kids and I never can find anything to do with them. They have tons of toyse buth the two boys act like athey are nothing and are alwasy super bored. I want to be a good sitter but i d k w=hat 2 do.

 

 

Hey girly! Now that the weather's nice, you can take them outside to play. Sometimes, no matter how many toys kids have, they still have the most fun doing simple things... like kicking around a soccer ball, or playing classic games like tag, freeze tag, red rover, etc. outside Smile

xxx

Becca G.

by RicharA on 4/24/2011 9:09:27 PM

 
 

Hi! Ok, I am 12 years of age and I was wondering, am I too young to babysit? I love kids, and kids seem to love me! I asked my best friend to recommend me to people- and she told me she wants to know babysit (thanks to my "idea") and she can't give her "business" to me. But I totally understand what she means. Any tips?
Thanks

by goinggreen444 on 4/18/2011 4:38:09 PM

 
 



MOD i have an odd question: is it normal to not do anything while babysitting? like if your just sitting there watching the kids play or watching tv with them? please answer! thanks(:




Hey girl,

Yeah it's fine as long as the parents never asked you to do any specific activities with them.  The important thing is to make sure they are safe! 
Ruth S.

by singergrl702 on 4/9/2011 9:21:15 PM

 
 

MOD!
I'm 13, and my friend and I want to start babysitting together. She's 14, and I'll be 14 in July. We don't know if people would hire us if we were together though. We also wanted to know about an average pay too, we live in Oregon so...

Bonjour chicky! Here are some tips that can give you and your friend an edge on the competition: http://www.girlslife.com/post/2011/01/11/babysitting-for-a-group-with-friends.aspx

Jessica W.

by llamas1_1_1 on 3/24/2011 11:36:50 AM

 
 

MODDDD*******
I'm babysitting at a church thing today with my friend, the only problem is I don't know to do! I thought probably coloring or something. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!! and plz answer soon cuz it's at 11:00am today! xoxo Sabrina

 

Hey girlie, coloring, reading a book, watch a video or there favorite show. 

Paige T.

by JpnGrl~4ever on 3/19/2011 10:33:49 AM

 
 

SUCH a strange picture at the top....

by ellebelle15 on 3/12/2011 4:36:21 PM

 
 

I do 5 an hour.

by peacelovejesus on 3/11/2011 6:24:27 PM

 
 

MOD MOD MOD!!!! On Wednesday I'm babysitting an 8 year old boy. His mom contacted me and I'm meeting with the family today so that I know where everything is in their house and so that my parents can meet them. I'm a little nervous because this is basically deciding whether or not I get hired. What kinds of questions should I ask? What do you think they'll ask me?? I want to be really prepared because this is my first babysitting job outside of my friends or family!!

by purpleluver716 on 3/5/2011 8:37:09 AM

 
 

MOD MOD MOD MOD !
OKay, so Im turning thirteen super soon, like in a month. I really want some cash and Im thinking of babysitting. I am great with kids, since I've been taking care of even infants since I was around ten. I have taken a first AID course since it was mandatory in school, so i know CPR and stuff. How much should I charge, and do I have the qualities of a good babysitter ?
Thanks !
xxx

by charliethedancer on 3/1/2011 7:31:27 PM

 
 

MOD MOD MOD OK so I'm trying to save up but i just can't find a job. My parents don't believe in getting money for chores so thats out of the question and I live in a rural area so I really don't have many neighbors. What can i do?

 

 

Hey girly girl! Do you have any way into town? Or,  is your school close enough that you could walk into town afterwards? If so, you can try and get a babysitting jobs, or a part-time job at a store or restaurant.

xxx

Becca G.

by ladygagayo24 on 2/27/2011 6:19:28 PM

 
 

MOD MOD MOD
I need help! I'm trying to save up enough money to help with the fee for my summer camp this year. Times ARE tough and every time I try to get a job, or even if my parents try to find something, NOBODY takes me seriously. Any tips?
Thanks

 

Hey girlie. Are there a lot of kids in your neighborhood? If not, ask your teachers if they need a sitter for their kids on the weekends! It's a great way to make some extra cash!

Elizabeth P.

by izzywolf1417 on 2/22/2011 4:57:36 PM

 
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