Monday, February 16, 2009

Forget date night. forever.

I was talking with some friends about babysitters and the average cost now-a-days. Apparently, its customary to pay $15-$20 an hour with a 3 hour minimum, regardless of how long you need them. And playing with them will cost you extra.

What?

I remember when I was babysitting (of course I remember, its not as if it was that long ago, yall) and on a good night of 4 or so hours of babysitting 2-3 kids, I would bring home $20 and that was GOOD. I mean, $20 when you are a teenager is bank, right? And I would never even THINK of having babysitting policies that my "clients" had to adhere to. Its not like I was a member of the Babysitter's Club or anything (although, I often wished...). Basically, the deal was, I watch and play with children, put them to bed, and then raid the pantry for as much junk-food as possible, fall asleep on couch or watch something on primetime I wasn't allowed to watch at home (90210, anyone?), and then get paid enough to buy taco bell for lunch for 2 weeks, and then go home. That was standard, and acceptable. It was actually a pretty sweet deal in my opinion. Now babysitters require a 3 hour minimum payment at $20/hour??? That's SIXTY dollars people. And probably all you did was go to walmart. or maybe, if it was a special night, a movie.

All I have to say is thank GOODNESS for grandparents. Thank you thank you thank you, mom, dad, Nana, Pa-Pa; yall are the best.

9 comments:

Sweet T said...

I've heard that babysitting these days is quite a bit of coin. (I was happy to get 10 bucks total back in the day.) $20 an hour is ridiculous. So far, we've been lucky having family and friends to watch R for us. Here, we exchange childcare with friends we know well that have kids. Works great...and it's free!

Anonymous said...

You do realize there is no statute of limitations on channel surfing by teenagers don't you.

We need to talk about this 90210 business.

Laura Sue said...

Yikes. I gave a friend $30 the other day for 2.5 hours. I hope she didn't think I was being cheap!! This is definitely a good reason to leave close to your parents.

Anonymous said...

Now, imagine what I would have to pay, with four kids. We went out to eat some time last year, and I had to sell a kidney on the black market to pay for the babysitter. I saw her the other day, being driven around town in her stretch hummer. Thirteen and she has a driver! What kind of world is this?

Kidding. I did NOT go out to eat last year. I haven't hired a babysitter in about four years. The kidney market has been kinda slow, and you just can't get what you used to for it. Maybe next year.

Melissa said...

We have paid 12 an hour if they were still in high school and 15 an hour if in college. It did include playing with them. The very best sitter I had was an early ed/speech major who would spend her time with all kinds of fun projects she learned in school that she used all the info on how my kids liked the material to write her research paper on. Yes it is very expensive. Also I have a friend that had to up to 20 an hour to just keep the good sitter because she was being recruited by so many others for more pay. We have offered vacation bonuses and paid vacation time to keep a good one. Crazy I know, now with two kids and living closer to my parents we do get out more than once a yr. Thanks to my parents! Going to dinner now does not require saving for a year in advance!

Anonymous said...

I know it's been a long time ago (the 70's), but I only got 50 cent per hour and that included babysitting, playing, cleaning house and cooking dinner! WOW, times have changed!! I had to work many nights to get to buy a new outfit.
But now being the grandparent the best things in life is getting to babysit! I love every minute! Just like today my little angel said "Nana I luvs you" what else could a Nana ever want more!
Ashley thanks for being the best daughter in law ever to allow me to have this time with Adler.

Anonymous said...

After time considering this post, I am willing to overlook the whole statute of limitations thing.

In related news, your Mom and I think we may be able to retire at 55 after all.

Anonymous said...

I wish I lived close enough to babysit for y'all... oh, how I wish... what a blessing and privilege it would be... sigh...

p.s. retirement at 55... that's awesome... I think I'm going to be able to manage it at about 86... maybe a little later... lol...

Anonymous said...

Oh how I wish!! 55 is just not that far away!! I remember a babysitting job I had as a teenager, turned into 3 days and I made 20.00, back in the '70s' too!