WWYD? Babysitting for a neighbor

There's a new family who recently moved in a few houses down from us; they have a son who'd almost the same age as my twins. Twice now the mom has come over to ask if I could babysit her son because her nanny called in sick and she works full time. Both times I wanted to help, but we had appointments we had to go to so I couldn't do it. I'm thinking she will ask again. She has offered to pay me, but since I couldn't do it I didn't discuss this with her.

So, my question is, if I do end up babysitting for her, should I let her pay me? On the one hand, I'd feel strange taking money from a neighbor; I'd rather just help her out. On the other hand, I don't want this to turn into a situation where she is frequently asking me to do this (in the last two weeks she has asked twice if I could babysit). Since she works full time, I don't think she could watch my kids sometimes, so I think I'd be the only one babysitting. I guess another factor is how long I'd be babysitting. Maybe if it was only for 2-3 hours I wouldn't charge her but if it was for more time then I would ask to be paid??? And should I charge her the going rate for babysitting?

What would you do?

thanks,
thea

 

I sometimes watch my neighbor's kids (two different neighbors) but it is normally only for 1-2 hours at a time, and not when I am working. I do it more as courtesy thing, and if I needed someone to watch my kiddos in a pinch for a few hours I'd then ask them. It's always when they are in a pinch and the one who does work has never asked for an entire workday (even though there's a nanny here to do it, she'd probably not want to pay her anything).

But if it is a full day, I'd charge something, because it doesn't sound like this would be an sort of reciprocation(sp?) type thing. Maybe $30-$40 for a full day?

 

If its for a full day and she offered accept it becasue what if you do it more than once .... its differant when you watch them while she is gone an hour or so but for a full day its work.... I charge 25 a day per kid

 

My neighbor has come over in a pinch for a few hours at a time and I have not paid her. BUT if I were to ask for the entire day, I would definately compensate.

 

I would definitely ask to be paid. It is work, after all. Also, since you don't know this person well, it's better to get into a situation where there is no possibility you'll get taken advantage of. I'd probably say something that implies you've done this before and have a rate in mind. For example, "I'd love to help you out sometime. I usually charge $x per hour, and that includes snacks and meals so you don't have to bring anything for your little guy to eat." I know it's tempting just to forget about the money aspect, since you're home with your twins anyway, but I think it's best to ask to be paid. It will restrict you (i.e. you won't be able to drop everything and go to the mall or visit a friend), and it will be more work than usual. If you become friends with this person you can always say, down the road, that she doesn't have to pay you for the occasional babysitting gig, and that you'd love it if she could watch your two some Saturday morning if she ever feels up to it (or something). BTW: I had a mother's helper when my boys were small. I paid her $12 an hour and she was never even really alone with the kids - I was always there. Not sure about going rates in your area.

 

Since she has said she would pay you, I would definately take it. My guess is that she will pay what she would normally pay her nanny, because most people I know in that situation do so.