Yep, I'm totally nuts.

Let me guess. The $8-10 should be paid on the books, right?
You DC women are off your rockers. I thank god I live in a different city with reasonable people. If I were a SAHM, why the hell would I want to watch someone else's kid for less than what people now earn working at McDonalds?

OP, do you really want to help your friend out or were you just trying to get an idea of what to charge? I think it's a bad idea but if you need/want the money- find a rate that sounds reasonable to you since you are the one who will be responsible for another child every day.

I am the PP who said 8-10. I am not saying this is similar to a home day care, but more like a casual babysitter. A SAHM caring for another Mom's child is not a nanny situation. I am a MB who pays my nanny very well ($19 an hour) however I would never ask a friend (or even casual mom acquaintance) for more than $10 an hour nor would I ever accept more than that.

$8-$10 tops. PP is nuts.

For $8-10 an hour it's not worth it to watch someone else's child every day for a "casual friend".

The last two PP's are incorrect. This is not a daycare situation. This is a SAHM who was asked to take on another child and doesn't even know what kind of compensation she should be asking for.

I said $15-20 an hour, but I'm thinking more along the lines of $15 as long as the friend provides her child's lunch, etc.

I am a professional nanny with no children and I take offense to the ignorant MB on here who is constantly comparing every post to the one nanny who may or may not bring their child to work. Please get over yourself.

Anonymous wrote:This is an unlicensed, casual home daycare situation, not a nanny, and the OP's own child is involved.

$8-10 / hr

+1 I agree, the other posts are ridiculous! You're not a nanny, you're a casual friend helping out...

This is an unlicensed, casual home daycare situation, not a nanny, and the OP's own child is involved.

$8-10 / hr

OP I can't tell from your post whether this is something that you want to do or if you are just considering because the other parent asked.

The PP are very off base suggesting normal nanny rates for this type of care. $12-$15 is standard for one child with a nanny but you aren't providing the same level of care as a nanny. I suspect you are hearing from the chorus of nannies who want to bring their children to work but can't find positions that allow this. You would basically be providing unlicensed in home daycare with a smaller enrollment. On top of this, you would be watching your own child and doing your own errands/housework while you are being paid. This doesn't even happen at in home daycare.

Except for a situation where the friend know your family needs money and wants to help you out financially without embarrassing you by offering a loan, regular nanny rates just don't make any sense.

Given the circumstances, OP, anything from $12/hr-$16/hr would make sense, so go with your gut on that.

I'd also recommend that if you agree to do it, you explicitly agree to a two week trial period to make sure it's working and after that to reevaluate every month whether or not the arrangement still suits both of you. You want to have a built-in way to bring up ending the relationship so as not to sour your casual friendship/children's relationship if it gets to be too much for you.

I agree with $15-20/hr. If you aren't getting licensed, OP, you need to require cash payment, as this might be illegal depending on your local legal requirements.

$15-$20 is outrageously high for watching a child in your home with your own child. The rates would be more in the $9-$11 and even $11 is high for this. For $15-$20 she could hire a professional nanny who would be in her own home. In your home, its your house, your rules and the other mom would have no expectations that you would change your routine around or not do your own housekeeping/activities whatever.

This could work and the upside is that you get extra a money and she gets to avoid dealing with searching and hiring a nanny. If you are both laid back this will be easier. There are downsides too for both parties.

She will be depending on you for childcare so you need to think through whether you can do this reliably. Do you go out of town early often and leave early on Fridays? Working parents rely on their nannies to keep kids home or around the house when they have a cold. The only take off work if the child is very sick. Will you be OK during cold season with a preschooler around that has a cold? Do you keep your kid home often from school and will you be OK picking up the other child if you aren't already going over to school? How much notice do you need to give her when you go on vacation?

Do the kids get along? They will be together everyday. Do you do other play dates during the week and would you be fine with multiple kids over or be annoyed?

She probably expects this but I would make sure that she realizes the other child would blend into your day. If you go to the grocery store, do your laundry, watch TV or whatever.

OP. if you value this friendship, do not do this. She will pile on new "tasks" and start treating you like her employee as opposed to a friend.

To do*

$15-20 an hour.

Things to discuss:
What happens if her child is sick?
What if you go on vacation, does she have backup?
When school is on break for holidays, will you not need to provide child care?
Will she be sending lunch for her LO daily?
How many hours a week does she need help?
Where will her child nap?
Does she want to pay you cash or on the books?
If you want to to an activity with your child, will she pay for her LO to join?

IMO, it's a sticky situation mixing friendship with business. If you are looking for some extra cash and feel it's a good fit, by all means go for it. Just make sure you iron out all details before agreeing to this arrangement.!

$15 an hour. Will she be providing the extra booster seat, and the food for the lunches?

I'm a SAHM and have a casual friend (know her through our children) and she has asked if I can pick up her son from preschool in the fall when I pick up my own child. I would take her son home with me, give him lunch, and keep him for a few hours and she would pay me. I have no idea what sort of compensation I should ask for. Can anyone suggest an hourly rate that makes sense? Thank you!