Quote:
Originally Posted by Cardinal026
BUMP!
I assume they'd offer to pay me...but I feel uncomfortable about asking for/taking money, or even how to discuss the situation. And if it does come up, what is the going rate now?? Back in highschool I was getting $4-6 an hour, but some of these posts from 2002 were talking about $10! Is it still around there?
I just don't want to come across as a jerk since I like this guy, and work with him pretty closely...its just weird to think of taking money from a co-worker...especially since I know that his wife doesn't work, so their income is less disposable than mine (being unmarried/no kids) is.
Thanks in advance!  |
Well... it IS kind of an awkward situation, letting the 2 worlds collide... but since it's already out there..
One of our babysitters (a 19 year old who is an assistant teacher @ our 2yr old son's daycare - no college degree) mentioned she babysits. I immediately asked what's her rate. And she very casually said, "Whatever you feel like paying me" - which really made us THINK about what to pay her.
As it turns out, we've been paying her close to $12-18/hr. (I know her hourly rate @ the school is about $12/hr.)
We take the following into consideration:
1) she's giving up a weekend night to babysit
2) we want to KEEP a good babysitter
3) we go out so infrequently, that it's worth splurging on a babysitter (sometimes we're out for 4-5 hrs)
4) even though she's single/no kids, she lives on her own & has bills to pay too.
For further reference, we used to pay the 16 yr old next door neighbor $5/hr. Most other adults we've spoken to charge at least $10/hr. We live in a suburb of Seattle.
As for bringing it up, my advice is.. when he asks if you can babysit on a specific night & still does not ask your rates, just take a deep breath & say something like: "We haven't really discussed it yet, but I don't really have a set hourly rate for babysitting. I'll accept whatever you decide to pay me."
Don't say anything like "I'll give you a break because we work together/we're friends" because you don't want to feel used. Put the decision on them.
Hope this helps!