Please help! How much should I charge?

[Anonymous]

I'm a SAHM whose DC are in school during the day. Some other moms have asked if I would babysit their kids when they have doctor's appointments and other errands from time to time. I have NO idea how much to charge. My DH and I can't really afford to go out so we haven't hired a babysitter ourselves so I don't know the going rate. This is in NOVA. Sometimes sitting for one child (6-8 months) sometimes two (infant and age two or three). Suggestions welcome! And thanks!

[Anonymous]

If you guys can't afford a babysitter I'd do what a lot of my single mom friends do...exchange babysitting services

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks, but that wasn't my question. DH and I don't even really want to go out. We are homebodies. But I would love to pick up a little cash helping out these other moms and they want to know how much I would charge.

[Anonymous]

15 an hr

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:15 an hr

For two kids, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:15 an hr

For two kids, right?

I would charge 15 for both 1 child or 2 children.

[Anonymous]

$15/hr for one child and $17/hr for two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$15/hr for one child and $17/hr for two.

This. If the youngest is a baby, I'd charge $20.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a SAHM whose DC are in school during the day. Some other moms have asked if I would babysit their kids when they have doctor's appointments and other errands from time to time. I have NO idea how much to charge. My DH and I can't really afford to go out so we haven't hired a babysitter ourselves so I don't know the going rate. This is in NOVA. Sometimes sitting for one child (6-8 months) sometimes two (infant and age two or three). Suggestions welcome! And thanks!

$8-10 an hour. Face the facts, you are in NOVA, you aren't a professional babysitter, and you are pretty broke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a SAHM whose DC are in school during the day. Some other moms have asked if I would babysit their kids when they have doctor's appointments and other errands from time to time. I have NO idea how much to charge. My DH and I can't really afford to go out so we haven't hired a babysitter ourselves so I don't know the going rate. This is in NOVA. Sometimes sitting for one child (6-8 months) sometimes two (infant and age two or three). Suggestions welcome! And thanks!

$8-10 an hour. Face the facts, you are in NOVA, you aren't a professional babysitter, and you are pretty broke.

What the hell does this mean? Why does she have to be a "professional babysitter" to get market rate? I don't even think that high school students would accept $8 to $10 an hour. And why is it even relevant what her financial situation is?

OP, I'm a PP here and again I would say that market rate is at least $15 for 1 kid.