How much should I charge for this?

[Anonymous]

Not sure if I should have posted this on the Nanny forum or not. I'm babysitting/nannying four kids for a whole week. I rarely babysit or watch anyone's kids but it just worked out that I could this week. I mostly just have to drive the two younger ones to school in the morning and then pick them up in the afternoon and then take to other activities. These two also have activities very early on Saturday that will require a lot of driving.

Will it be fair for me to ask for $100 a day as my pay for staying the night and my time, plus mileage? (Watching the miles on my car times .545 cents? Does that sound correct, someone explained to me that's what the government pays) or should I ask for more? This is a lot of driving, waiting around, traffic etc. The youngest child is the only difficult one and I think has "special needs" and has already been a big frustration to me on day one.

[Anonymous]

I've had to now drive the youngest to the library in rush hour and the parents are now expecting me to help her with a project

[Anonymous]

Are you responsible for the kids 24-7 for the week? Like are the parents out of town?
If this is the case then you need to charge hourly for anytime they and you are awake. Even if they are in school.
I would then charge $50 for the overnight portion ( 11pm-7am ish).

If the parents are around but working and you are just working a few hours a day then that is different. Can you clarify?

[Anonymous]

I have done this for my one charge and get $350 a day (or any portion of a day). It is my traveling rate and We use it anytime I am needed for overnights or weekends. Plus expenses, of course.

[Anonymous]

You did not negotiate this in advance? How?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you responsible for the kids 24-7 for the week? Like are the parents out of town?
If this is the case then you need to charge hourly for anytime they and you are awake. Even if they are in school.
I would then charge $50 for the overnight portion ( 11pm-7am ish).

If the parents are around but working and you are just working a few hours a day then that is different. Can you clarify?

Yes I am responsible for them 24/7, the parents are out of town. So I'm staying over night at their house with them so I can drive the two younger ones to school in the morning, then pick up. Then three of them need to be driven to evening Actvities

Ok, how much would an hourly rate be? Then plus either mileage or gas, and for any food if I buy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You did not negotiate this in advance? How?

Ugh I don't know. But now I'm glad I didn't because it sounds like I can get more than I was thinking. This is a lot of work and driving and basically affecting my entire weeks schedule

[Anonymous]

Assuming you are in DC area I would charge around $20 an hour for the hours you are awake. So from 7am until 10-ish. Then charge an overnight flat rate for sleeping hours. Anwyhere from $50-$100 is the norm.
Depending on what the parents are like I would write all this down too, so that when you tell them how much they owe you at the end you can show them how you got the amount.
I personally would not charge for gas unless I was driving them out of town but thats just me. Anything else you buy for the kids I would keep receipts for and add that to the total.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you are in communication with the parents while they are gone. Perhaps you could mention something to the fact that there seem to be extra duties to the daily schedule ( trip to the library, project help, etc. ) and ask that there be additional compensation for that.

I think you're probably going to be stuck with whatever they're willing to pay though since you didn't iron out pay details first. I know it's an awkward conversation but it was definitely going to be less awkward if you mentioned upfront, "and what is the rate you usually negotiate with your overnight sitters?"

[Anonymous]

Straight $500/day = $3500 for entire week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Straight $500/day = $3500 for entire week.

Um ... no. Definitely charge IRS rate for mileage (54.5 cents/mile). That will make you feel much better about the driving. And then figure out an hourly rate you are happy with, plus an overnight rate. Charge the hourly rate for all hours you are with the children, and that way if an emergency comes up in the middle of the day, you can add those hours in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Straight $500/day = $3500 for entire week.

Um ... no. Definitely charge IRS rate for mileage (54.5 cents/mile). That will make you feel much better about the driving. And then figure out an hourly rate you are happy with, plus an overnight rate. Charge the hourly rate for all hours you are with the children, and that way if an emergency comes up in the middle of the day, you can add those hours in.

Ok yes that's what I was wanting to do- charge for milegage. It's SO much driving and time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Straight $500/day = $3500 for entire week.

Op here that sounds really high

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you are in communication with the parents while they are gone. Perhaps you could mention something to the fact that there seem to be extra duties to the daily schedule ( trip to the library, project help, etc. ) and ask that there be additional compensation for that.

I think you're probably going to be stuck with whatever they're willing to pay though since you didn't iron out pay details first. I know it's an awkward conversation but it was definitely going to be less awkward if you mentioned upfront, "and what is the rate you usually negotiate with your overnight sitters?"

Yea I hope not. I had been waiting for them to bring it up but now I'm glad I didn't because I would not have asked enough

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Straight $500/day = $3500 for entire week.

Um ... no. Definitely charge IRS rate for mileage (54.5 cents/mile). That will make you feel much better about the driving. And then figure out an hourly rate you are happy with, plus an overnight rate. Charge the hourly rate for all hours you are with the children, and that way if an emergency comes up in the middle of the day, you can add those hours in.

$500 for 24 he day is less than $21/hr. She is in duty 24/7 for a week. $500/day is a bargain.