Anonymous wrote:to 36 yr old nanny with 15 yr experience: how can you even suggest such a low rate? This rate is from 6-7 yrs ago! Maybe this is why you always find jobs quickly - you accept lower than market rates?

I suggested this rate because OP was starting at $18, which is obviously lower 🤨

to 36 yr old nanny with 15 yr experience: how can you even suggest such a low rate? This rate is from 6-7 yrs ago! Maybe this is why you always find jobs quickly - you accept lower than market rates?

Anonymous wrote:I’m a mom of 3 who would love to make a little cash by babysitting. Changes in employment between DH and me have led me to this decision (and kids are expensive!).

I live in a neighborhood with tons of families always looking for a sitter. I have shown interest and availability but families seem to be choosing local teens/ nanny. My rate is $18/hr for up to two kids and $20 for three or more which seems low/average. I have offered to help people looking for pre-school help/driving, late nights and all in between.

I haven’t shared I need the money publicly as I don’t want pity jobs, but what’s the deal? I am not bringing my own kids so that’s not the issue. Do people just prefer teens to help them out?

Often the husband pays for the sitter and prefers a younger babysitter.

There are definitely a few trolls on here, ignore them.

OP, I'm a 36 year old nanny. I don't have kids but have been doing this for 15+ years and have always been able to find work. Definitely agree with making profiles on sitting sites like Care dot com, Sitter City dot com, Urban Sitter, etc. Outside of your acquaintance/peer group as others have mentioned sounds good. Start at $20/1. Ask for a 3 hr min in consideration of your time, convenience and opportunity costs. Include that you have a clear background check, own transportation, non-smoker, comfortable with pets, Up-to-date on vaccines like Tdap/MMR/Flu shot....if all this applies to you. Also, getting CPR certified and adding it is a plus as well. Good luck!

I used to hire babysitters from an agency because I often had last minute needs and they always came through and they had background checked them. They were often older retired women. Not elderly, just older, but also younger women making extra money. They cost more but I always was happy with them. Try getting hired at an agency.

You should also consider in-home elder care. Lots of need for these people.

Anonymous wrote:OP back. I appreciate all the feedback. Even if some stings a little.

I’m not a creep, just trying to offer services I so often see needed and requested. My DH works at home and will get my older kids off the bus for hw time while my youngest is in daycare until 5:30ish. I don’t want to be anyone’s parent (I have my own kids to parent!), just offer help. But now I see how that’s problematic as I’m a peer to the parents in the neighborhood that I see at soccer games and at the pool.

Why is your youngest in day care if you aren't working?

I would have much-preferred someone older for a reasonable price. Advertise.

I suggest you get some experience with special needs children. We are always looking for sitters.

OP,

Once you have a few clients your business will snowball.
Hold your head up high about looking for side work.

The $18 per hour is probably a bit too low.

Work is always honorable.

As a PP said above there is a huge demand and many parents in my neighborhood twist themselves into knots and spend thousands of dollars to have someone drive Suzy to dance after school. But I hate to agree that there’s still no way they’d hire a parent in the neighborhood. If it’s a neighborhood parent it’s expected to be offered for free because no one needs money. If it’s a college student that’s flakey they pay $35/hr.

Anonymous wrote:It feels kind of creepy like why would this person with their own kids and another job want to spend time with more children for 18 an hour? I’m not saying you specifically have bad intentions, but it would put my antenna up.

You are weird.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't hire a parent - I don't want you telling me how to parent my kids. A teenager knows they know nothing and are more open to taking direction.

You sound very insecure. Our babysitters have always been our preschool teachers who have kids of their own and we are able to have adult conversations.
OP, I don’t know where you live but $18 is very low for the metro DC area. We pay $25/hr.

This whole discussion is very interesting in light of the recent posts by SAHM/WFH moms asking "Am I being taken advantage of?" by fellow parents who want to ask others to facilitate school pick-up/drop-off.

Clearly, there is a huge demand for a kind of "Substitute Mom" service--but nobody wants to pay for such a service because they feel entitled to the unpaid labor of their peers. Many posters were attacking the OPs saying they were selfish for prioritizing her own time and family's needs over the neighbors' request for regular unpaid babysitting services.

I would think about repackaging your services into a kind of enrichment "class." You're not babysitting, you're teaching "baby music" or "baby yoga" or "after-school arts and crafts." In my area, those classes cost like 25-45 dollars per 45 min session.

Anonymous wrote:OP back. I appreciate all the feedback. Even if some stings a little.

I’m not a creep, just trying to offer services I so often see needed and requested. My DH works at home and will get my older kids off the bus for hw time while my youngest is in daycare until 5:30ish. I don’t want to be anyone’s parent (I have my own kids to parent!), just offer help. But now I see how that’s problematic as I’m a peer to the parents in the neighborhood that I see at soccer games and at the pool.

Yeah, it’s the peer to peer issue. Try other neighborhoods.

OP back. I appreciate all the feedback. Even if some stings a little.

I’m not a creep, just trying to offer services I so often see needed and requested. My DH works at home and will get my older kids off the bus for hw time while my youngest is in daycare until 5:30ish. I don’t want to be anyone’s parent (I have my own kids to parent!), just offer help. But now I see how that’s problematic as I’m a peer to the parents in the neighborhood that I see at soccer games and at the pool.