As I mentioned in a previous post, DH and I are going on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter next weekend. My son's teacher ( I work at the same catholic school) offered to watch the kids.

How do I approach asking how much she wants to be paid?

By Palmbchprincess on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 01:56 am:

Just flat out ask. You can say something like "I haven't left the kids with a sitter for the weekend in a while, so I wanted to see how much you thought was fair." It's always touchy with friends, but it's easier if you just come out with it the same way you would with a regular hired sitter.

By Karen~moderator on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 09:02 am:

Ditto Crystal.

As for the *it's touchy with friends* angle, I learned that one the hard way when a friend offered to do my after-school care years ago for the same price I was paying the school. All she did was gripe about how much extra it cost her weekly to give them a snack, and if she even *thought* they were getting sick, as in coughing/sniffles due to allergies, she griped that her kids were being exposed. It was a bad move, all around.

But for a one-time thing, there should be no problems. Do you have any idea how much a *regular* sitter in your area would charge? How many full days and nights will you be gone? I am so out of the loop in regards to sitter costs.

My sister, who lives in Marin County in CA, told me just last week that babysitters get paid $14 hourly there! That is unbelievable to me, regular jobs in the New Orleans area don't pay that much.

You could either pay her hourly, or negotiate an overnight fee with her for the full days that include overnight, and an hourly fee for the partial days.

By Jann on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 09:17 am:

Ditto just asking.
I usually pay my overnight/weekend sitters $85 per day.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Saturday, April 2, 2005 - 12:55 am:

She may not be expecting to be paid at all.... I wouldn't, the more kids the merrier around here. So just ask, "I have never had a someone keep the kids for a full weekend, I usually pay $ and hour, would $ be okay with you?" I wouldn't assume she didn't want to be paid though, I am just saying I wouldn't.

By Paulas on Saturday, April 2, 2005 - 09:15 am:

I agree Bobbie. I don't think she is expecting it but I don't want to assume anything either. I'm thinking of making some casserole type dishes and cookies so she won't have to cook much for them and if she doesn't take money I plan to buy a gift and get a gift certificate for a dinner out for her and her DH.