1 babysitter for 8 kids

[Anonymous]

My sisters and their families are coming in to town and we want an adult night out. There will be 8 kids total in the home. Ages:

12
11
9
8
8
7
3
3

The 3 year old twins will be in bed before the babysitter gets there. All kids will have had dinner and baths, and ready for bed. The 9 and under kids(not including 3 yo twins) will go to bed an hour after we leave. The 11 and 12 yo have to be in their room by 11 and lights off by 12.

Our day time nanny agreed to do it(she occasionally does date nights for us): That doesn’t sound like too much for one person does it? The older kids keep to themselves(preteen boys) and the girls will be in bed within an hour. The only one who might cause an issue is the 6 year old but at most she might just whine for her mom. All the other kids are fine with babysitters, especially mine since they know her well. She’s worked for us for 8 years so the other kids have met her a few times.

She would be there from 8:30pm-1:30am(we plan to be home by 1 but just in case). She’s welcome to spend the night or go home. In the past she’s pretty 50/50 on staying the night. Sometimes she will fall asleep early and stay, other times she leaves when we return.

We were thinking of paying 300 for the night. 100 per family

[Anonymous]

Yes. Yes it sounds like entirely too much for one person.

[Anonymous]

Dangerous if there is an emergency. You need two babysitters regardless of what your nanny says or how great the kids are.

[Anonymous]

Maybe your nanny has a friend that would be willing to help?

[Anonymous]

It is dangerous, I agree. You always hear about house fires or other emergencies where the one caregiver can’t get all the kids out safely.

[Anonymous]

I would not agree to this. You should hire at least one more person.

[Anonymous]

That seems like a lot--can you hire a second sitter, or at least a helper if you know a local college student?

[Anonymous]

Op, where are you located?
I get paid between $20-$25 an hour for date nights. So for those hours I’d make roughly $125- for one family. Eight kids to make $300- I would be pissed.
Whatever you decide talk about compensation before the event.

[Anonymous]

It’s hard to say if it would be too much not knowing how the kids are. However, based on the ages of the children, it should be fine and the 8, 9, 11 and 12 year olds should be able to entertain themselves and capable of behaving and even helping out with the younger ones if needed!!

I would actually have out some games, snacks and a movie prepared for everyone to have a good time and hangout. It really shouldn’t be that chaotic.

[Anonymous]

I think its fine. And the $300 is good too.

For those of you that says its dangerous, you know some parents have this may kids right? I know its rare and im not doubting its a lot of work, but its not 8 2 year olds.

[Anonymous]

OP, ask yourself if you could do this and the smswer would be NO. Are you truly this stupid? Hire another sitter with the nanny and pay PREMIUM ($50/HR TO EACH ONE).

[Anonymous]

It's not too many kids. Most day cares are licensed for 8-1 ratio. $300 sounds OK, I would say more like $350.

[Anonymous]

I would never risk this. Never. Get a second babysitter.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s fine. Plenty of 12 year olds babysit, so I consider the 11 and 12 year olds to not even really be included in the count.

[Anonymous]

I could totally handle it. And I think $300 is too low. You're paying $20 an hour for each family. Up it to $400 plus an Uber home and I'd take the job.