10601
1
1-3
$20
I pay for a taxi or car service if the sitter is leaving late.
No
How comfortable (and happy) is my child with her
22-30
07928
1
13-16
$5 or less
My 15-year-old daughter babysits for 4 different families in our neighborhood. The furthest family lives a mile away the farthest within 3 blocks (big selling point). She receives $15 an hour, the typical rate in Chatham. (15 years ago, I gave sitters the then going rate of $10/hr – inflation?). Often, parents l my daughter up to $20 an hour if they have more than two children. In addition, they often round up her pay significantly if she sits for two hours or less.
In another study, it might be interesting to look at why parents choose sitters, especially if there are many sitters to choose from. My daughter receives excellent referrals and ends up being children’s favorite. I believe, however, that parent’s interest in a new/potential babysitter is also influenced by observing a sitter and whatever positive attributes she/he may demonstrate. For example, my daughter is very mature and kind (adults comment on this all the time). One parent who was considering my daughter and two other girls regularly sees my daughter walking home from school stopping to say hi to neighbors including seniors and the kids she sits for.
33458
2
1-3
$12
I tip on top of the hourly rate.
No
I moved to Florida a year ago from NYC. We now have a regular Saturday night babysitter (who is the person I refer to in my answers to the survey), and it is wonderful. In NYC we occasionally got a babysitter when I need "mom" relief or if we had special plans to go out. Our babysitter was 22ish and lived in our building. She was in very high demand and was great with the kids. We paid her $14/hr. Looking back, we think that we should have tried to set up a regular Saturday night appointment with her.
41-50
11109
1
1-3
$15
I expect babysitters to do housework.
No
Cost
31-40
11218
3
1-3
$18
I expect babysitters to watch t.v. or movies with my kids.
No
We used to have "date night" once a week, but the last year money has been too tight. We changed to once a month for a while and now we haven't gone out for about 3 months. It's just too expensive.
31-40
11201
2
1-3
$20
My babysitter requires a minimum number of hours.
No
It's expensive! And at times a pain to organize: my husband and my entertainment (tickets? reservations? with another couple? etc.), school pickup for 2 kids, baths, dinner, homework....and currently we are dog-sitting, so who will walk & feed the dog? It is such a treat to go out but we must limit ourselves. (FYI last night we paid sitter $140 for 6pm to just after midnight -- that includes cab fare. We went to the Met with my mother ($320 tickets - her treat - plus $70 drinks at Met bar before opera) and then to dinner in our neighborhood ($165). Now we are officially broke until next month.
41-50
2
3-5
$9
My babysitter requires a minimum number of hours.
No
Money
22-30
10538
3
7-9
$18
I expect babysitters to help with homework or do crafts.
No
31-40
11360
2
3-5
$10
I expect babysitters to watch t.v. or movies with my kids.
No
31-40
11218
1
3-5
$17
I tip on top of the hourly rate.
No
31-40
11209
2
3-5
$12
I tip on top of the hourly rate.
No
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can't afford to
14-17
11372
1
Less than a year old
$10
No
I want to point out different perspective from this topic. My husband and I are not from NY, so we don't have any family near by. I work full time, so i hire a nanny. She takes care of 2 babies in her apartment. I pay $10/hr. It is reasonable, but she takes care of 2 babies so she makes $20/hr. She gets her salary in cash, so she doesn't have to file Tax. In the end, she make more than I do. I work as a graphic designer. Also she is qualified with medicare, so she has much better health insurance than my husband's. So my point is being nanny is not a bad professional to be!!! I should switch my career!?
31-40
11218
2
5-7
$15
I provide meals or pay for food.
No
I want to explain my answers above: we pay for a taxi or car svc if our sitter leaves after 11pm. We hire students in their 20s. We felt comfortable taking the subway home when we were their age and our assumption is that they feel comfortable on the subway too.
We tell babysitters if there are specific leftovers (from my cooking) that they might find yummy and we tell them to eat whatever else they want. We don't buy food.
We have a standing date night on Wednesday nights. Your conversation on the radio was all about the financial cost of hiring a babysitter. We have found that there is a MUCH HIGHER emotional cost to NOT hiring a babysitter. We are worse off as a couple when we don't go our on our own weekly. Yes, it's expensive to go out, but we see it as a necessary expense just as paying the mortgage, utilities, etc. are necessary expenses!!
22-30
11249
2
3-5
$15
My babysitter requires a minimum number of hours.
No
cost! = car service $40 + $20 (delivery dinner) + $60 hrs 6-10pm + $100 (dinner for us)
$240
This is our nanny, who will sometimes stay late.
41-50
07042
2
10-13
$10
I tip on top of the hourly rate.
No
22-30
11215
1
5-7
$5 or less
Yes
In nearly 7 years, I have never hired a babysitter and with family living far out of state - date night just never happens.
It is another one of those things that was once affordable for most that is completely out of range for a lower middle class income in NYC.
I suspect that given the PSP demographic (Higher income folks that live in Park Slope) that their data is probably really skewed. I for one stopped reading their site/emails and know several other less affluent parents in Park Slope that have done the same.
07666
2
3-5
$10
I provide meals or pay for food.
Yes
the cost
14-17
10025
4
5-7
$19
I expect babysitters to help with homework or do crafts.
No
I'm actually responding as a babysitter. I work as a part-time nanny in the 4 afternoons a week for 2 families who live on the UES and each have 2 children I clean, cook, do homework, art projects (former art teacher) take to doctor appoitments, host play dates etc. I make between $18-$20 hour. I also make holiday tip and receive birthday gifts. I babysit as it allows me some flexibility to do auditions.
31-40
07632
3
5-7
$15
My babysitter requires a minimum number of hours.
No
A night out is very expensive. I live in New Jersey and will often meet my husband in NYC for a night out. I will take a car service, then there is the cost of parking, the cost of the entertainment, and the cost of the babysitter. Easily a night out can cost $300.
22-30
48075
4
3-5
$6
I provide meals or pay for food.
No
14-17
