Parents: what do you expect from a babysitter?

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 will tell you what I do.

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.

I expect a baby sitter to keep my home in the same order it was in when they arrived (tidy up messes made by them or the children, clean any dishes they accuired, etc), and perform the duties and routine that i have in regards to my children ( feeding them, bathing them, entertaining them, putting them to bed, making sure they brush their teeth and watch over their safety,etc). With that being said i think if they wanted housekeeping involved that should have been mentioned upon you taking the job because in some situtions this is expected and is part of what you are being paid. You should be making more then just a baby sitiing wage if those added chores are expected. If you do not agree your pay is high enough to do the extra then tell them and do so in a respectful manner but you will be taking the risk of them finding another sitter so it all comes down to what your comfortable with.

i would like it if the babysitter picked up after themselves but as long as she is taking care of my kids i would care less about the house. those other jobs you are doing are for a maid not a babysitter. so i would never ever expect a babysitter to do any of that, and i would be very shocked if they did all of that for me and i would pay more, that is not your job thats the moms job or a maids job not a nanny.

What Do Babysitters Do

I would expect to pay more and receive more of an adult caregiver. I would especially expect more of a female adult caregiver. We all know that men can sit where they are and not see that the vacuum needs to be run, dishes washed, etc., but I would expect an adult female caregiver to be more proactive. She should be able to handle bath times, feeding the dog, light laundry, straightening, perhaps transporting the kids. And, I would expect her to charge more than teenagers for her services. Personally, only people I know and have qualified to be around my children are able to babysit them and I work out rates on an individual basis. For a gauge, qualified teenagers babysitting my 2yr old twins would receive $10 an hour + fridge privileges.

you sound more like a nanny. i do not expect my sitter to do any of those things. i expect them to entertain and supervise my children that's about it but what you are doing especially since the mother doesn't work is you are a nanny/housekeeper. either ask for more money or find another client.