hourly rate for 13 year old Mother's Helper?

[Anonymous]

Any suggestions as to the appropriate hourly rate for a thirteen year old Mother's Helper? For now, she'll help take care of my 4 month old while I'm at home. I want to make sure I build in room for raises. Also, am I supposed to pay her a different rate depending on whether I am at home or not? I hope to be able to leave him with her for short periods of time in the near future.

[Anonymous]

22.00 per hour with benefits. Please be sure to stock the fridge with soda pizza vodka and fruit roll ups or you could ask her mom

[Anonymous]

20:45 What a super helpful reply!

Our 13 year-old charged us $5/hr to play with our 2 1/2 year-old while I was home. I did occasionally drop them off at a playground for a couple of hours but never had her give him a meal (she wasn't CPR certified) or put him to bed. I would ask her what she charges and if she says "whatever you think" you can talk to her mom and see what she thinks.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the response. I wanted to have some idea as to an appropriate starting point -- I can remember having the same conversations when I was young and dreading telling people what I "charged" for sitting.