Babysitting rates for tonight

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MB here. I absolutely set the rate and have my pick of sitters every day of the week. There are many more sitters than jobs.

When we have a really good sitter, I'm happy to pay more, provide food, and pay for her ride home.

We'd tip well as well, if she distinguished herself as an above average sitter.

I'd also like to know where this fairy tale land is!

I charge $16-$20/hr for babysitting and am fully booked two months in advance - perhaps around here there is a massive shortage of trustworthy caregivers?

Look, when I was 13 I made $5/hr. If you have older kids and can hire a teenager who you trust to get them out of the house in a fire, by all means, you should! My parents hired local HS kids for me after I hit elementary school. But if you have small children who might choke on dinner (I have needed to use my first aid training with a choking baby once - hopefully never again) or who might wake up inconsolable, you want someone experienced and focused. Definitely don't find that in anyone taking $5/hr.