I'm 22 and in graduate school for teaching. For about 6 months I've been babysitting for some extra money for a family with 3 children. Although I've babysat a lot before, this family seems to expect much more out of me. They pay me much less than I usually charge, though I've let it go since they give me steady work each week. However, every time I go, the mother ( a stay at home mom), leaves me a list of chores to do in the house, along with taking care of the 3 children, one of which has special needs. I'm not opposed to picking up after myself and the children, but I feel that doing the laundry, mopping the floors, and doing days of dishes are beyond my responsibilities as a babysitter. As a parent, do you expect your babysitter to do housekeeping as well?
paganmom2010-01-02T19:13:04Z
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It's going to depend how much they pay you, you didn't say. Most babysitters don't do housekeeping work, some nannies do. Nannies make far more then babysitters for the most part because they are a consistent force in the child's life. If you think you are not getting paid enough bring it to their attention, but be prepared to go elsewhere for a job. I wouldn't consider that normal babysitting and you should be getting paid a decent wage for being the housekeeper and the babysitter.
My babysitter keeps my kids from killing each other and gets pizza, chips and soda in return...and also $10 an hour...but she's 13 and I have three very well behaved children ages 3, 5 and 9. We usually only leave her for a few hours and we are only 5 minutes away...and she doesn't even have to clean up their messes:)
You sound more like a nanny, than a babysitter. Are you working during the day while the parents work/run errands? It is set days(not Saturday nights, or while the parents go out to dinner, etc)?
Some parents will expect babysitters/nanny to do housework as well as watch the children, but that is up to you to set them straight if that is not what you do. I worked as a nanny and did not do any housework, and if I was asked, I would simply tell the parents that my sole responsibility was the care and well being of their children, not their house. I would also state that if they really needed simply chores done, this was an extra charge.
As a nanny the only chores I would do was cleaning up after the children, and washing dishes used by the kids(while I was there). For some families I would do a little extra(especially if the kids were sleeping). With one family I used to fold the baby's laundry while she slept(I was getting paid to be there, and I could do it while watching television). I also unloaded the dishwasher(as I often got bored while the kids were sleeping, but this was not something expected of me, I simply did it). On an added note I also got a pay increase when I started doing these simply chores. I didn't ask for it, they simply gave it, and that's how you know you are working for a good family, and not one that is taking advantage(they recognize you hard work and reward you for it).
If you think you are being taken advantage of, quit. A babysitter is not a housekeeper. If they want someone to clean the house, they should hire someone who does that job. However, they will not, b/c you are doing two jobs for the price of one.
I pay babysitters $3.50 an hour per kid (this is the rate that the military has set up for certified base babysitters) I have 2 school aged kids. I provide diner, snacks, beverages (obviously non-alcoholic) and a clean house before I leave.
When I get back I expect,
Living children in the same basic condition I left them in (just a little more fed, and possibly sleeping) A house in the same basic condition I left it in (I'm okay with dishes from diner in the sink.) And a sitter that played with my kids while they were awake, and didn't watch pay-per view while I was gone.
I always round up to the next hour in pay, and I pay more per hour if I have been gone for longer then 4 hours as I think babysitters deserve longevity rewards.
I also paid more when my kids were in diapers, and I would pay more if my kids had special needs that made them more difficult to watch.
I don't know if that helps, but that is normal to me.
NO WAY!!! I do not expect my babysitter to to chores, that's my job. I think the babysitter should focus on the children especially when there is a child with special needs. I think that is crazy and I cant believe that's happening to you!
i would expect them to watch the kids, maybe give them a snack or a meal i have left for them if i was gone during that time but would have everything prepared...i would however expect that if the kids were in bed that the babysitter put away any toys or games they have played with the kids...however if they were still awake they could resume playing with them so it would be okay to still have them out...i would never expect them to clean up things i left behind or to do my chores..they are babysitters and expected to watch the children.