How does teen babysitter tactfully raise rates?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s rude. Babysitting is like a contract. Some families pay more than others. You either agree to the terms, or you don’t. End of story.

I think it’s rude to take advantage of a teenager!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is ridiculous and IMO the families are taking massive advantage unless you live in a a very LCOL area. She should charge $15 at a minimum and probably more like $18-$20.

This. It's $15 minimum and I live in the exurbs (Loudoun.) How to tactfully address that I have no idea. Obviously with new families you just tell them it's $15.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is ridiculous and IMO the families are taking massive advantage unless you live in a a very LCOL area. She should charge $15 at a minimum and probably more like $18-$20.

This. She has years more experience now. $15 an hour MINIMUM, more if there are multiple kids.

[Anonymous]

We have had a similar problem with my DD who is now 17. I believe it is very important, especially for a girl/woman, to advocate their worth in a job and be assertive in their rate.

What I had my DD do was when a family would reach out to see if she could sit, she would reply (based on the time and number of kids involved) something like: Yes, I can babysit Jack and Jill (siblings) for four hours on June 1. My current rate is $20 an hour for two siblings. I also now take Zelle and Venmo if that is more convenient for you. I will see you on the 1st. Have a great day.”

I helped her write the text but she sent it. Recently she had an older siblings come home while she was babysitting to she was relieved early and wasn’t paid because the parents weren’t there. I also helped her draft a follow up for the next day after the parents never reached out to pay her. Having a Zelle and Venmo account has really helped over the last year with parents “forgetting” or not having cash. At the end of the day, your daughter is a business woman. Time is money. She could be doing something else with her time. Show her her worth.

[Anonymous]

Next time a family asks if she is available she should reply with her new rate. It should be at least minimum wage.

[Anonymous]

Shoot, 12 years ago I had an 8th grader in McLean ask for $20/hr to babysit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s rude. Babysitting is like a contract. Some families pay more than others. You either agree to the terms, or you don’t. End of story.

I agree about arbitrarily changing her rate. But in fairness she isn’t locked into the same pay rate forever. I wouldn’t send out a mass text. I think as families that have been paying $10 reach out to her to book, she can let them know, “Yes, I am available Saturday, but I want to let you know my rate is now $12. Please let me know if you would like still like to book.” $12/hr is a steal and no one is going to quibble about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s rude. Babysitting is like a contract. Some families pay more than others. You either agree to the terms, or you don’t. End of story.

I think it’s rude to take advantage of a teenager!

Oh please. Teens and grown adults make avg $13/hr at McDonald’s. And I guarantee it is far harder and less pleasant work than eating pizza, watching a movie, and tucking a couple kids in bed. Babysitting is probably the cushiest, easiest teen job there is

[Anonymous]

It has to be at least $15/hr, OP. And tactfully just means sending this text:

"Hi! I am raising my rates to $15/hr starting from June 1st, 2025. Thank you for your support!"

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks all. Upon reading all the replies, I agree the approach of individually responding with her new rate when she's next contact by each client makes the most sense. FWIW, I believe the minimum wage was $10 or so in VA when she began, and part of selecting that rate was my feeling that a middle schooler new to babysitting probably shouldn't be making more than an adult in a minimum wage job, potentially supporting dependents. Of course, she probably should have updated the rates sooner, so we'll consider the input on how much her new rate should be!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s rude. Babysitting is like a contract. Some families pay more than others. You either agree to the terms, or you don’t. End of story.

I think it’s rude to take advantage of a teenager!

Oh please. Teens and grown adults make avg $13/hr at McDonald’s. And I guarantee it is far harder and less pleasant work than eating pizza, watching a movie, and tucking a couple kids in bed. Babysitting is probably the cushiest, easiest teen job there is

Unless otherwise stated, all DCUM discussions are for the DC metro area. The minimum wage is $12.41 in VA, $15 in MD, $17.50 in DC. But for VA, it's for the entire state. NoVa wages are higher. For a teen, I would go with $15 an hour. It's reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s rude. Babysitting is like a contract. Some families pay more than others. You either agree to the terms, or you don’t. End of story.

I think it’s rude to take advantage of a teenager!

Oh please. Teens and grown adults make avg $13/hr at McDonald’s. And I guarantee it is far harder and less pleasant work than eating pizza, watching a movie, and tucking a couple kids in bed. Babysitting is probably the cushiest, easiest teen job there is

Unless otherwise stated, all DCUM discussions are for the DC metro area. The minimum wage is $12.41 in VA, $15 in MD, $17.50 in DC. But for VA, it's for the entire state. NoVa wages are higher. For a teen, I would go with $15 an hour. It's reasonable.

She welcome to get a crappy minimum wage job flipping burgers, dealing with rude customers, and smelling like grease. And pay taxes on that minimum wage as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s rude. Babysitting is like a contract. Some families pay more than others. You either agree to the terms, or you don’t. End of story.

I think it’s rude to take advantage of a teenager!

Oh please. Teens and grown adults make avg $13/hr at McDonald’s. And I guarantee it is far harder and less pleasant work than eating pizza, watching a movie, and tucking a couple kids in bed. Babysitting is probably the cushiest, easiest teen job there is

Unless otherwise stated, all DCUM discussions are for the DC metro area. The minimum wage is $12.41 in VA, $15 in MD, $17.50 in DC. But for VA, it's for the entire state. NoVa wages are higher. For a teen, I would go with $15 an hour. It's reasonable.

She welcome to get a crappy minimum wage job flipping burgers, dealing with rude customers, and smelling like grease. And pay taxes on that minimum wage as well.

If a real job would even hire you at 16. The pickings are very slim.

[Anonymous]

Several years ago, the typical rate in Atlanta for high school aged babysitters was $25 an hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s rude. Babysitting is like a contract. Some families pay more than others. You either agree to the terms, or you don’t. End of story.

I think it’s rude to take advantage of a teenager!

Oh please. Teens and grown adults make avg $13/hr at McDonald’s. And I guarantee it is far harder and less pleasant work than eating pizza, watching a movie, and tucking a couple kids in bed. Babysitting is probably the cushiest, easiest teen job there is

Unless otherwise stated, all DCUM discussions are for the DC metro area. The minimum wage is $12.41 in VA, $15 in MD, $17.50 in DC. But for VA, it's for the entire state. NoVa wages are higher. For a teen, I would go with $15 an hour. It's reasonable.

She welcome to get a crappy minimum wage job flipping burgers, dealing with rude customers, and smelling like grease. And pay taxes on that minimum wage as well.

Why are you spamming the thread with this? Obviously there's a population of well-to-do families how can afford to pay a babysitter $15/hr. It has nothing to do with the adults who need to work at McD's because they have no other option. Teen girls from neighboring families, whom homeowners have seen grow up, will always be more trusted than a random adult. Hence why these teen girls can command at least minimum wage or more for babysitting than other people. Know your market and take advantage of it!