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What to pay babysitter for overnight stay
By Cheryl K. on Sun Feb 3, 2013 at 10:51 AM EST
I travel for work and have a reliable babysitter who stays with my son. She first said she only charges for when he is awake so we calculated her pay that way. This week she said I have to pay her till she goes to sleep even though my son would have been asleep for hours. He goes to bed at 8 pm and she is up till at least midnight. I definitely want to do what is fair because she is away from her home caring for my son.

What do others do in a similar situation regarding overnight pay?
 
 
By Maribel Z. on Sun Feb 3, 2013 at 7:58 PM EST
Is there a way to have an agreed over night rate? For my sitters I normally pay by the hour if less than 8 hours and have a discounted rate over 8 hours.
 
 
By Carrie R. on Sun Feb 3, 2013 at 8:40 PM EST
I pay my baby sitter until 10pm because some nights, we just have them come for an overnight and the shift starts at 10pm. We pay $30 form 10p until 7am. We start paying normal rates at 7am when our kids usually get up.
 
 
By Renee N. on Tue Feb 5, 2013 at 1:07 AM EST
I have our 'nanny' stay overnight on occasion when I have to travel. Her normal work hours have her going home at 6PM and arrival at 7am the following day. So for an overnight I pay her a flat $85 a night on top of her normal salary. My kids are a bit older and go to bed around 8:30 or 9:00.

I recommend you negotiate a flat rate per night on top of her normal pay.
 
 
By Kendra C. on Mon Feb 18, 2013 at 1:09 PM EST
We pay an hourly rate for sitting hours and then a $40 flat rate for the overnight while the boys are sleeping. My boys get up between 5am and 6am which starts the hourly rate again. I used to pay $30 for the overnight fee, buy my sitter snuck in the $40 fee this last time I had to go out of town.
Make sure you work out that detail up front. My sitter has worked for me for years, so I am surprised she didn't mention the increase in fees.
 
 
By A M. on Mon Sep 16, 2013 at 11:48 PM EDT
Hello! I'm in unchatered waters here and I need your insights!

Question: I have a babysitter, (not a nanny) that is willing to stay overnight and watch my 2 yr son for 2 nights. I think the world of her and deeply trust her.

Now, should I pay her the hourly rate of $16.00 per hour, for the entire 41 hours that she will be in my home? The 41 hours includes all her awake & sleeping time.

What formula do you use for paying for an overnight sitter?

I like the flat rate idea, but I'm uncertain if I should pay $16.00 for 24 hrs (that = $384.00 per day) and then a flat night rate on top of that. Your thoughts, please.
 
 
By Teresa H. on Tue Jan 28, 2014 at 3:15 PM EST
We have done it both ways in the past. Our results showed more of the people who want hourly pay, are not used to doing overnights with kids which we could tell afterward (even though they would say they have done this or get their referrals/family to say this). We need the experience so when/if someone gives us an hourly rate, we don't use them. We have found what worked best for us was to offer the same what the local Nanny Service Companies are offering for extended hours (on an as needed basis). Then the price would need to be competitive to your geographical location and childcare needs. For example, our local Nanny Service Company charges $150 per night for a weekend night (or day off of school) and $75 per night for a day when school is in session. Errands and tasks during this may make the daily pay a little higher as well as Holidays could be extra and last minute plans should include a bonus if someone takes the job. Nanny agencies here normally don't charge by the hour but by the 24hour term. Agencies make their overhead by the Agency fees (access to their accredited database of people when you sign the contract). So the money that I am referencing is the money that we have paid the Nanny directly.