What do you think is reasonable to charge for babysitting?

Question

I'd like input from parents and from fellow babysitters. 

I would love to hear what you usually pay your sitters, or what you typically charge.
Parents: how many kids do you have, and what kind of area do you live in (city, sub-urban, etc)
Sitters: basic age range (12-15, 16-18, 18+), do you charge differently for different numbers of kids?

I am 22, I have 10 years of experience and I am pretty good at what I do (honesty, not bragging). 
I typically bring a craft to do with the kids and I can handle many different types of children, and a wide variety of ages. I do primarily Fri/Sat/Sun babysitting, and I babysit often.


I typically allow the parents to decide what they think is fair, but some parents are uncomfortable with that and I am trying to finally make a definite decision on what to say when they ask. 


Side question: Parents, what would you expect to pay for an overnight job?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I was a stay at home mom for a while, and watched kids in my home during that time. I did Mon - Fri primarily, and would charge about $25 a day per child, and parents would have to bring their lunch. I charged double for weekends, and did not do overnights. If someone needed me for less than 4 hours, I charged $8 an hour. The age range of the children I watched went from 6 months - 8 years.

As a parent, if I were to find a good babysitter that we just had on occasion so my husband and I could go out, I would be willing to pay between $8 and $10 an hour. As for overnight..I've never done that, but seeing as my child is 9, easy going and a good sleeper, I'd probably offer between $65 or $75.

Anonymous · Answer

usually its $7 an hr for a new born
$6 an hr for a toddler
$5 an hr for other kids
 it also depends on how many kids & how much work

Anonymous · Answer

it usually depends on how many kids their are, and their ages, if they are younger or require more attention you should get more. I was usually paid 10 dollars an hour when i sat

Anonymous · Answer

i used to get paid 5 bucks a kid and hour

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What do you think is reasonable to charge for babysitting?

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