Let’s get one thing straight here: We’ve all been a babysitter at some point and would’ve appreciated being paid for the work that we did. Babysitting isn’t exactly the easiest job in the world, especially if the kids are wild, demand lots of attention and care, and require special things. So when we become moms and dads and hire babysitters to watch our kids while we work or go out on a date, shouldn’t we be paying them for their work?
This cyclical system of paying a babysitter $20 for an entire evening of babysitting needs to end. They are being YOU while you’re gone and isn’t the care you’re providing your children worth more than $5 an hour? YES. I love the two babysitters I’ve had throughout Fox’s life and I will admit that when I was poor I couldn’t afford to pay them gobs of money – if any. So, I was upfront with them in saying, “I can only afford to pay you $X, is that okay?” Now that I have a salary, and can afford these things, I pay my sitters $10 an hour, minimum.
Some of you are probably reading this thinking, “Well I just don’t think a babysitter is worth that much..” and you’re totally wrong. How many times do we need to have the conversation about moms and how they work a more than full-time job raising their kids and teaching them morals etc – doesn’t that demand a salary? HELL YES IT DOES. In turn, wouldn’t your surrogate deserve the same salary? Yes.
Here are three ways you can approach the conversation about payment with your babysitter:
1. Start the conversation off with the truth about $$$. If you can’t afford to pay your babysitter a fair rate, be up front with them and make sure they’re cool with it.
2. If you can’t afford a babysitter ask a family member. There are (maybe) plenty of family members who are willing to watch your adorable kid(s) while you have some time to yourself.
3. When there’s no family around you ask a neighbor you trust or have befriended. Check with your local church, the preschool your kids go to, and join a local MoPS group. There are tons of safe, free, and super helpful programs out there to help you. Explore your options.
This is a touchy subject – I get it. But as someone who values the care of their kid, do yourself and your babysitter a favor, and pay them a solid wage. If you have your own opinion, disagree, or want to share solid support on this matter leave a comment!
