Babysitting dilemma ($ to charge)

<p>My D and her high school friends who also babysit usually make around $7 or $8 for one kid (long-time customers w/ easy kid--my D doesn't want to raise the rate) and closer to $9 or $10 per hr for two kids. Usually this is at night, so after making dinner and putting kids to bed there's often some down time for homework or taking a nap on the couch or whatever. One family tried to tell her that if the kids were sleeping the rate should be lower, but that seemed pretty cheezy. It seems to me that if you have the responsibility of driving and housework other than simply cleaning up a few dishes the rate should be a few dollars per hour higher, perhaps in the $12-15 per hr range. If you are very responsible and have worked for them for a while a raise is in order if nothing else but to show appreciation and the value of your continued services. There is no reason for you to get paid a tutoring rate like $30 per hr, since this is babysitting and housework, but if you are expected to help an 8-yr old w/homework you could build a case for a slightly more. Where you live may also be a factor, since average rates probably do vary a bit. Find out what the going rates are for other high school kids in your area. One poster suggested that babysitters get #30 per hr. Maybe grownups who work for wealthy families in hollywood do, but no teenagers I know get that for babysitting! It's hard to ask for a raise, but you never know what the response will be if you ask in a reasonable way and seem serious about it. Some adults forget that and then just take the line of least resistance and don't volunteer to raise your pay, but if you ask they may realize you're due.</p>