Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm in Kensington. I would never pay that rate. Our nanny's overtime rates are less than that.

I have a couple of babysitters I use (both adults) and I pay them $13/hr. Most of the time the kids are sleeping but they are twin toddlers so no light task when they're awake!

I think $25/hr is ridiculous. Ask on your listserv for recommendations...

You pay an adult $13/hour to watch your twins toddlers? $25 is ridiculous but so is that.

Yep - I knew that was coming. Rant away...

Just wanted the OP to know that I'm probably less than 2 miles from her and have absolutely zero trouble finding babysitters (good ones) for waaaaay less money than she's considering.

I'm not ranting. But I'm kind of sad for you that you think its some kind of accomplishment, undervaluing the time of others, taking more than you give. How unhappy you must be.

I agree with 14:44, but maybe OP is poor to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm in Kensington. I would never pay that rate. Our nanny's overtime rates are less than that.

I have a couple of babysitters I use (both adults) and I pay them $13/hr. Most of the time the kids are sleeping but they are twin toddlers so no light task when they're awake!

I think $25/hr is ridiculous. Ask on your listserv for recommendations...

You pay an adult $13/hour to watch your twins toddlers? $25 is ridiculous but so is that.

Yep - I knew that was coming. Rant away...

Just wanted the OP to know that I'm probably less than 2 miles from her and have absolutely zero trouble finding babysitters (good ones) for waaaaay less money than she's considering.

I'm not ranting. But I'm kind of sad for you that you think its some kind of accomplishment, undervaluing the time of others, taking more than you give. How unhappy you must be.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm in Kensington. I would never pay that rate. Our nanny's overtime rates are less than that.

I have a couple of babysitters I use (both adults) and I pay them $13/hr. Most of the time the kids are sleeping but they are twin toddlers so no light task when they're awake!

I think $25/hr is ridiculous. Ask on your listserv for recommendations...

You pay an adult $13/hour to watch your twins toddlers? $25 is ridiculous but so is that.

Yep - I knew that was coming. Rant away...

Just wanted the OP to know that I'm probably less than 2 miles from her and have absolutely zero trouble finding babysitters (good ones) for waaaaay less money than she's considering.

Anonymous wrote:I'm in Kensington. I would never pay that rate. Our nanny's overtime rates are less than that.

I have a couple of babysitters I use (both adults) and I pay them $13/hr. Most of the time the kids are sleeping but they are twin toddlers so no light task when they're awake!

I think $25/hr is ridiculous. Ask on your listserv for recommendations...

You pay an adult $13/hour to watch your twins toddlers? $25 is ridiculous but so is that.

OP here. She just called me back saying she will do it for $20.

I'm in Kensington. I would never pay that rate. Our nanny's overtime rates are less than that.

I have a couple of babysitters I use (both adults) and I pay them $13/hr. Most of the time the kids are sleeping but they are twin toddlers so no light task when they're awake!

I think $25/hr is ridiculous. Ask on your listserv for recommendations...

How many hours are you offering at a time? If you phrased the job as "we need someone for an hour or two every now and then" I would charge a high hourly rate as well. If, on the other hand, she will get paid for at minimum 4 hours when you use her, that rate is too high. Perhaps she is expecting you to counter, so she went in high. Offer her what you are comfortable with and assure her that it will be worth her time.

$20 would be a fair rate.

OP here. She lives 4 minutes away (according to Google Maps) by car or 20 minutes walk. So, not far away.

She is about 60 years old and has a few years of experience

Meeting her for the first time last night, she seems pleasant and the 3 year old started playing her right away

How old and how much experience does this person have? I typically charge $20 for babysitting from time to time, but I also have over 15 years of experience. The girl is asking for too much money.

She might be charging more if she has to travel far to get to you or if she will only be working for a couple of hours. Is this for a Saturday night babysitting job?

$25/hr seems high to me, but if I had to travel far for the babysitting job and it was only 2-3 hours that will ruin any possible Saturday night plans, I might charge that much.

That is a very high rate to me.

For two children who will be sleeping half of the time, I would say fifteen an hour.

Rates range from 10 for a HS/college kid up to 30 for a seasoned pro. If you don't like her rates, get someone else in your preferred price range. You can always get yourself a cheaper person, right?

I charge $20 per hour

Just interviewed a potential babysitter to look after my two kids who is 3 and 1. We live in N. Bethesda. We were quoted a firm rate of $25/hr. Is that normal?
Our nanny charges us much less per hour and on top of engaging with kids she also does some light housework while the babysitter will just watching our kids who would be a sleep half of that time
Never hired babysitter before and would appreciate your response