babysitter over the summer

[Anonymous]

How much do you pay a teenage babysitter for summer care? (14/15 years old) for 1 kid. We live in Maryland, and we are looking to hire a babysitter for 5 days a week 3 hours a day. I want to pay a fair wage but I don't know what that is... My DC will be 10. Both my husband and I will be home but we need someone to entertain him while we work. Can you tell me what you pay for similar care?

[Anonymous]

$20/hr

[Anonymous]

that's an interesting job, it's not really babysitting but hanging out with a kid four years younger than you.

If it were eight hours a day, I'd say the hourly rate would be lower. Three hours isn't very much, on the other hand, it's not very difficult, either.

So, if you get a 14 year old boy, are you OK with them just playing video games during this time? If so, I'd think you could find someone for $20-25 per day (for the three hours).

Or are you going to insist that they do something constructive and educational or whatever, that might cost a little more.

[Anonymous]

Last summer we paid $20/hour for a nanny who could drive and do CPR, and who had been a camp counselor. We used a payroll service to take taxes out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$20/hr

only if you like throwing money away.

[Anonymous]

If your kid is 10 and there's three free hours, I'd just give the 10 yr old a schedule of what to do then. I wouldn't hire someone.

[Anonymous]

$15 plus gas money if they drive plus all expenses (lunch, museums, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is 10 and there's three free hours, I'd just give the 10 yr old a schedule of what to do then. I wouldn't hire someone.

I hear you on this, but since he's an only child and COVID has limited his outside of the family interactions. we're hoping to have some structured time without worrying if neighborhood kids are available to play. So, we're hoping for someone who might be willing to play with him (board games, outside stuff, ping pong while we work) but on a committed daily schedule (plus it gives that teen cash and work experience).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$15 plus gas money if they drive plus all expenses (lunch, museums, etc.)

This feels right to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$15 plus gas money if they drive plus all expenses (lunch, museums, etc.)

This feels right to me.

I'm the PP - I should add, it sounds to me like you have a person, and it's just a matter of coming up with a fair wage (since you specified 15 year old, not like "a high schooler" or something). If you're trying to FIND someone - that's a whole different kettle of fish.

[Anonymous]

We just hired someone to start in April and go thru the end of August. It’s only twice a week for 3 hours ( 3-6). Ed are paying $40 a day, some days they may not start til 4, some days they might be done at 5. But we said we would pay $40 regardless. DD is almost 9 and we will not be home. I posted on our local Facebook page and had 5 people send me messages.

[Anonymous]

Above PP again. We are in Silver Spring for reference

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is 10 and there's three free hours, I'd just give the 10 yr old a schedule of what to do then. I wouldn't hire someone.

I hear you on this, but since he's an only child and COVID has limited his outside of the family interactions. we're hoping to have some structured time without worrying if neighborhood kids are available to play. So, we're hoping for someone who might be willing to play with him (board games, outside stuff, ping pong while we work) but on a committed daily schedule (plus it gives that teen cash and work experience).

Okay, I understand. I still wouldn't go the route of hiring someone right away. I'd ask around to any of his local friends to see if their parents are in the same boat.

[Anonymous]

3 hours and you don't need driving? Why can't the 10 year old entertain herself for that long?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$15 plus gas money if they drive plus all expenses (lunch, museums, etc.)

$15/hour is fair to generous. That's what I'd do, OP. Understand from your post that there's no driving or activity fees.