So I'm perusing the AU Jobs board, horrified that sitters expect $17 an hour

[Anonymous]

Or more.

We haven't paid for babysitting in a few years, and the last time we did, it was $13 an hour (AU sitters). For one elementary-aged child, who gets his own food, handles bathroom by himself, programs the DVR himself, etc. Basically, the babysitter is there in case there's a fire; she doesn't have to do a thing.

So maybe I'm out of touch and you parents in Ward 3 can clue me in here. Is the going rate for a 1x a month gig really $17 an hour for one kid?

[Anonymous]

$15 is what we pay.

[Anonymous]

I pay $12 for GW students. Baby sleeps, they just come do homework--or probably facebook.

[Anonymous]

We pay $10 an hour for Marymount students. $17 is insane - most nannies start at $10-$13.

[Anonymous]

Our sitter asked $14, and I generally do $15. 2 kids 2.5 & 5, and this is often for a number of awake hours too, plus managing dinner/bedtime.

[Anonymous]

I paid $20/hour last week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We pay $10 an hour for Marymount students. $17 is insane - most nannies start at $10-$13.

Go take a look over at the nanny discussion section, they will whole-heartedly disagree with you on that one...

[Anonymous]

Yes, that's absurd. Can you post a job on that board? If you post and state your rate, I bet you will get several inquiries.

[Anonymous]

$15 to $20 is standard (ss it should be- Imo.)

[Anonymous]

Were you thinking they just need beer money, or were you aware they're facing a crappy job market with crippling debt and less family support?

If you don't want to pay sitters, swap with other families.

[Anonymous]

The cost of living goes up for everyone. Years ago when I was in school (HS and college), I had.a four-hr minimum and after 1:00AM, hourly rate went up. I was very good, kids loved me and I turned down jobs. Stop being so cheap.

[Anonymous]

I'm also finding that $15-$20 and even $25 for a Saturday night is pretty standard.

A lot of us on our street have started swapping.

[Anonymous]

It's absurd. I used to use that site and then it just jumped the shark. It's not legit anymore. I've got a neighborhood girl that will watch my two kids for $12 an hour. Go ahead and contact some of the AU kids, offer them what you're willing to pay, and let them decide what they will work for.

If she decides $13 (or whatever) isn't worth her time, fine. She can find someone else or go out with her friends instead of working. Whatever. $17 an hour is not worth a night out for us. We've got wine and on demand at home.

[Anonymous]

I have been shocked that people are paying my Bethesda 13 year old $10-12-even $15 an hour so $17 for a college kid could well be the norm around here. Parents that hire my high schooler tell me it's hard to get someone so you need to keep them happy so they'll come back reliably.

[Anonymous]

You cannot really compare to nanny wages as you employ them full time. When you hire someone for 3 hours after school, then the cost of transportation and transportation time may not be worth it for $30. So you have to pay $15 per hour to have someone there reliably.