Babysitting Is a Job. Here’s How to Get Paid.

Talking about money is the part of babysitting most babysitters dread — but getting paid what you’re worth starts with knowing what to charge and having the confidence to say it out loud. This Babysitter Boss episode breaks down how to set your babysitting rate, when to mention it, and exactly what to say so the conversation is never awkward again.

One of the hardest things about babysitting – discussing money. It’s awkward and when I first started babysitting I wasn’t sure what to charge and I was afraid to just throw out a number.

Wait, you charge how much?

So, I didn’t. I just let them decide what to pay me. That was a mistake.

I’m all out of cash. Oh, but here’s two coupons for free ice cream.

I needed to get my act together, and fast. Because I can’t pay for this with coupons for ice cream. Plus, babysitting is hard work. I realized that I was providing a valuable service and I deserved to get paid. You do too! And it’s easier than you think. Here’s how to do it in three easy steps.

Step 1: Decide What to Charge for Babysitting

Step 1: Decide what to charge. The rate is going to be different depending on where you live, how experienced you are, and whether you completed a training course like Safe Sitter®. A trained, experienced sitter can charge more. If you really don’t know what to charge, ask your friends what they charge or use minimum wage in your community as a starting place. If you get paid $8.50 an hour to bag up burgers and fries, you deserve at least that much for caring for somebody’s child. Remember, keep it simple by charging by the hour. But if you’re babysitting more that two kids, it’s okay to charge more.

Step 2: Tell Families Your Rate When They Contact You

Step 2:  When people contact you about a babysitting job, tell them what you charge. I charge $10 an hour, will that be okay? And let them know how you prefer to be paid: cash, check, or mobile transfer. A lot of people don’t carry cash anymore so give them an advanced warning if that’s how you want to be paid.

That’s it! Oh, wait a minute. I said there were three steps.

Step 3: Pat Yourself on the Back — You’re a Babysitter Boss

Give yourself a pat on the back. You are the Babysitting Boss. Now, go spend some of that well-earned money.