A savvy mom found a way to enjoy a night out with her husband worry-free by leaving a note for the babysitter with ideas to earn extra money through small household tasks.
Katrina Ivan, a Missouri science teacher, shared on TikTok how she asked her babysitter to do extra chores to make the home cleaner and more organized while the child slept. The video received over 1.5 million views.
“You are more than welcome to hang out and watch TV all night, but if you want to make some extra $, these jobs are up for grabs,” Katrina wrote to her babysitter, whom she’s known for four years.
The babysitter enthusiastically began cleaning shortly after Katrina and her husband left, spurred by the list.
Katrina confirmed the success of her idea when she saw the babysitter through their Ring camera.
Katrina, the smart mom, shared that the senior high school babysitter was eager and started immediately, noting she had left supplies handy to help.
By night’s end, the babysitter had tidied mirrors and windows, arranged toys, vacuumed the couch, and organized the silverware drawer.
Lisa B and Del praised Katrina’s idea on the video, appreciating the opportunity it offered the babysitter to choose tasks.
While most commenters applauded Katrina’s approach, some suggested she could increase the pay.
Liz mentioned that $10 seemed insufficient for certain tasks due to their complexity or size.
In a subsequent video, Katrina discussed the payment breakdown for that evening.
Katrina acknowledged she could increase the prices of the babysitter in the future.
She paid $75 for the night, mainly for watching her 2-year-old son, who slept most of the time. Overall, the babysitter earned $28.75 per hour, tax-free.
How much should you pay your babysitter?
Many parents rely on nannies or babysitters to help raise their children, especially when they lack nearby extended family.
Hiring a babysitter provides crucial support and gives parents much-needed time to themselves.
While having family or friends help with childcare is beneficial, many parents budget for a babysitter.
According to a 2023 Care.com survey, over half of parents hire a babysitter weekly, which could rise to 63% with easier access to sitters.
Care.com’s 2024 report also found that parents spending eight hours a week on babysitting typically pay about $200 weekly.
Further research can help understand how caregivers set their rates and what childcare costs are typical in different regions.
In 2024, UrbanSitter found that babysitters charged an average of $23.61 per hour for one child and $26.57 per hour for two children, Parents.com noted.
The actual cost of babysitting varies depending on factors such as location, the babysitter’s experience and education, demand in the area, and the number of children needing care.
Yi-Hsian Godfrey from Apiari notes that higher-priced babysitters are often college-educated enrichment leaders who engage children in activities like art, music, acting, dancing, and homework help.
If you have more than one child under age 2 or share a nanny with friends, expect higher costs.
Full-time career nannies generally charge more than occasional babysitters.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for babysitters increased, and their role was more appreciated.
Marina Lloyd, owner of Utah’s The Nanny Haven, notes a growing recognition of nannies and babysitters as valued professionals among parents.
Babysitting rates saw an 11% increase from 2020 to 2021, outpacing inflation by 4%, according to UrbanSitter.
Meanwhile, Marina’s area’s average rate rose by about 20% from 2019 to 2021.
Meanwhile, nannies and babysitters who set their own rates may increase costs for several reasons:
1. Additional Responsibilities: Tasks like picking up children from school, helping with homework, cooking, or cleaning can result in higher fees, says Sittercity.
2. Travel and Expenses: Sitters in major cities generally charge higher rates than those in smaller towns. Factors in travel time and distance: For example, if a sitter must travel a long distance to a rural home, higher compensation may be necessary for a short babysitting job.
3. Certifications: Experienced nannies with CPR/first-aid certification usually charge more than less experienced caregivers.
4. Special Occasions: Hiring a sitter for holidays such as New Year’s Eve or Valentine’s Day often costs more due to increased demand.
5. Number of Children: Each additional child beyond the base rate typically adds $1 or $2 per hour. For instance, if the rate for one child is $20 per hour, it might be $21 for two children.
Watch smart mom Katrina, interview her babysitter, who loved making extra money from doing some tasks around the house:
@kivankc What questions do you have for the newly famous babysitter? She’s along for the ride, and enjoys the spotlight. Loving the money, and crushing the jobs we leave for her. Sorry friends, but she’s not available to book-this kid is wayyy to busy between date night babysitting for us, earning perfect grades, being involved in a zillion after school activiites, and taking night time Fire/EMS classes at night so she can start her CAREER fresh out of high school. Do I sound a little proud?!? #sorrynotsorry #sillyinterview #babysitter #bestbabysitter #sidequests #meetmybabysitter #cheers #toddlermom #momlife
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