Charging too much for babysitting?

Question

I agreed to babysit two boys overnight for 6 nights. The boys are 1 and 2 years old. The times are from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. except one night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. I've watched them both before and the 2 year old is definitely a handful. Plus, the family has 2 dogs that I would have to let out at night and in the morning. Given all this, I thought $500 would be a fair price but when I mentioned it to two of my friends, they both thought it was too high. What do you think? What would you consider a fair price for both parties?

Answer

If I figured  it right this puts you at making less than $8 per hour.  That's not enough.

Answer

I babysat a few times in my life (a lot) lol. I'm 28 with two kids ages 2 and 5... My advice::  since they will be sleeping most of the time while your there since it's overnight I would think $300-$350 would be reasonable honestly because you're only having to watch them for 2-3 hours before bed time and then they sleep through the night and you get to leave... I think $500 would be more acceptable if you were watching them for 12 hours during the day time but not at night when they are sleeping a few hours after you get there.

Answer

I used to be a nanny. So for me your price is kind of low, BUT it’s overnight and they’ll be asleep, and you won’t have as much responsibilities. I think it’s an ok price when you break it down hourly.  
6 nights. 
1 night is 4 hours 
The next 5 nights are 12 hours. 
12x5 =60 hours  + 4 hours. 
500/64=7.81 per hour. 
Seems more than fair to me. 
Plus it’s 2 kids and 2 dogs 
If anything give them your price. If it’s too high for them negotiate.

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Your price seems totally fair! You have to kids and two dogs to watch. Yes the kids will be asleep most nights but are your responsibility all of the time. Don’t sell yourself short.

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Idk a fair price but I would think about it this way... if I’m not certified to run a daycare out of my home I’m not gonna charge as much as daycare...

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Thank you ladies! Here is how I got the $500 number. I normally charge $13 an hour. And they're only be conscious for 2 hours. 
2×6 (# of days) = 12 (hours of awake time) at $13 × 12= $156
The unconscious time, I thought I charge $7. So 52 (hours unconcious remaining)×7= $364
$364+$156= $520 and I just rounded down to $500 to make it even. I have some friends saying I should charge $7.25 for th3 unconscious time (which is minimum wage in my state) but I thought that was too much.

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I would charge almost double that. You are charging wayyyy under. It’s 64 hours, I would charge at least $12/hr. So $764 at the absolute minimum

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I’d be charging more. That’s less than minimum wage.

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SORRY GIRL READ THE HOURS WRONG LOL😂 had to delete my comment so I don't look like I can't do basic math. lmao  but like I said, a pro daycare center only requires a 90 hour certification and license. you're just as professional as the daycare centers so don't belittle yourself ok? 
64 hours of baby sitting for 12/hr would have you at $768. people on care.com typically get paid $11-$15 but it really depends on the age of the kids, how many, their temperament, etc. I'd even charge $740 not $500 🤷‍♀️

Answer

I think it depends on where you live, also. That being said, I worked as a nanny for 12 years in fancy schmancy cities like Hollywood and Beverly Hills. It's normal to charge much less for overnights because you are really only there in case of emergency since kiddos will be asleep. I usually would charge hourly rate for my normal hours (until 7p.m.) +100 for overnights. I never wanted to nitpick about kids going to bed at different times so basically 7-7 was $100.

Charging too much for babysitting?

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