$500 per kid seems reasonable. I watched my 2 nephews for the same amount of time and I was given $1,000 for expenses. We used that money for fun outings and meals. The thing is, we ended up spending a lot of our own money because DH and I had to also pay for ourselves for activities we wouldn't do otherwise (jumping places, special tours/museums etc,)

She keeps whatever wasn't used.

As a single childless aunt who has done this, I wouldn't expect a penny. I get a week of fun with my niece and nephew and I have the funds to cover basic expenses. I would find it insulting to be paid for my 'childcare' hours.

My sibling and spouse usually leave $200 that they tell me to use as needed but I never do. I will only use it if they ask me to specifically buy an item for their child - as in "we ran out of time to pick up the materials Sally needed for her science project this week". Then I will use their money to buy that item.

They always give me a gift - something small from their travels usually.

I’d leave $500 total. But if I were the aunt I would think that too much. I would do it for free if my kids had cousins. I have watched friends kids for free for weekends but those were emergencies. I think it’s karma and they’ll pay it forward.

When my parents watch my kids for a week I also leave: FSA credit card, insurance cards and a credit card.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$500-700

Each? For 8 days???

Including payment for 16 hours a day of childcare, why do you think that's unreasonable?

If it wasn't an aunt you'd pay more than that.

She isn't paying for child care. She's leaving money for food and extras. After they return, she can get her a nice gift card for her time. So, they need dinner out and an activity or two for the weekend days they are gone.

She specifically said the money was to pay her for her troubles. So, yes, she's expecting this money to cover paying for childcare.

I watched my sister’s kid for two weeks and she gave me $200 to cover food and incidentals, which was fine. I think $500 would be plenty altogether if they are in camp all day and paying her for her time is not an expectation. That’d buy some meals out and perhaps a fun activity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$500-700

Each? For 8 days???

Including payment for 16 hours a day of childcare, why do you think that's unreasonable?

If it wasn't an aunt you'd pay more than that.

She isn't paying for child care. She's leaving money for food and extras. After they return, she can get her a nice gift card for her time. So, they need dinner out and an activity or two for the weekend days they are gone.

Unless you can leave her a CC that she can use, I think $1500 for the week for expenses is cautiously generous. I'm assuming that you fall into one of two categories here: 1) it would be outrageous to offer to pay her for watching your kids because that's what family does and she would be genuinely hurt by the offer, or 2) you are generously compensating her for the work already.

Whichever category she falls into above, she shouldn't have to dip into her pockets once this week, not for activities or outings or food (for the kids or herself).

Anonymous wrote:Why are you figuring this per child? I’d give her $500 for the whole shabang.

And I would feed your kids nothing but water for 8 days.

I was going to say $100 a kid but apparently that's wrong. She's family, not a sitter but I don't know.

Why are you figuring this per child? I’d give her $500 for the whole shabang.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$500-700

Each? For 8 days???

Including payment for 16 hours a day of childcare, why do you think that's unreasonable?

If it wasn't an aunt you'd pay more than that.

If there's an emergency, will she have money to solve it until you can pay her back?

I agree that $500 - $700 sounds good. I might round it to $2000 for the three.

Is she going to feel obligated to use it all up? If I was using a babysitter, I'd be paying her and leaving money for their expenses, not mixing the two like that.

Anonymous wrote:$500-700

Each? For 8 days???

$500-700

Leaving 3 kids with their single, childless aunt for 8 days. How much money should we leave per child to cover expenses and just for her troubles (taking and picking them up from camp)? They will be in camp all day and it provides lunch. She needs to provide dinner 6 days (2 days they have dinner plans paid for) and there is a weekend involved.