Showing appreciation for our babysitter

[Anonymous]

Our date night sitter has been watching DD typically twice a month for almost a year now and I am wondering how to show her my appreciation for her and when. She makes $15/hour and typically makes $60-75 in a night. Last December, I gave her a $100 holiday bonus and I plan to do so again this December. I was thinking of giving her a raise and think $1/hour would be appropriate, but will she appreciate the extra $8-10/month? Or would it be better to give her a larger bonus at Christmas, like $150?

[Anonymous]

Give her a bigger raise, so that she's making an extra $10-$15/night. It's not that much more for you, and closing in on $100 for the evening would probably make her very happy. Unless this is a teen, you're getting a great rate now for a very reliable sitter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Give her a bigger raise, so that she's making an extra $10-$15/night. It's not that much more for you, and closing in on $100 for the evening would probably make her very happy. Unless this is a teen, you're getting a great rate now for a very reliable sitter.

This is OP. I do think she is worth the higher rate, but I also don't want to give her the wrong impression that I'm loose with my money, which is what I'm afraid I'll do if I offer to up her from $15 to $18/hour, as you're suggesting. Plus, while she has been overall reliable in that she's been with us as long as she has (and I am truly grateful), she cancels on us pretty easily because she knows that our plans are flexible. She'll reschedule us if she can, but it can be disappointing to look forward to our date night then have it cancelled a few days prior. In any case, I'm thinking I'll give her a $1 raise at our next date night, then give her a larger bonus come the holidays.

[Anonymous]

MB here. I'd up her rate to $16/hr and keep the Christmas bonus the same. That would show her that you appreciate her and give her a motivation to keep the date since she makes more per gig, but not that you are "made of money".

[Anonymous]

OP- You sound like an awesome employer!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Give her a bigger raise, so that she's making an extra $10-$15/night. It's not that much more for you, and closing in on $100 for the evening would probably make her very happy. Unless this is a teen, you're getting a great rate now for a very reliable sitter.

I'd do this, op. Seriously. I'll bet she puts you closer to the top of her priority list. Wouldn't you if you were in her shoes?

[Anonymous]

$150 bonus,you think this is a lot?,