Charge more for children who don’t go to bed?

[Alwaysforgetthecrackers]

I do babysitting/childcare over the summer in a busy, tourist area.
The majority of the time I’ve always had 1-2 children and when I arrive, they’re in bed sleeping and stay asleep for the evening, parents give me the remote, kindly say I can help myself to food and all is great.
I recently sat for someone who had three very active boys, they were still up when I arrived, wanted constant snacks mum asked me to make and tidy things away. They all had different bedtimes, mum wanted me to play games with them, put them to bed etc, little one fought with me on this and eldests bedtime was literally just before they returned home, so I spent the rest of the evening getting him snacks, tidying after him, playing games.
I’m ok doing this…it did make me wonder though, should this be the same charges as basically sitting with the child already in bed?
Also, nice as this mum was, she initially queried the price being a bit expensive, whereas all
others have been very appreciative

You probably don't change enough anyway

That's the joys of babysitting - never expect the children to be asleep.

How much do you charge?

I wouldn't do it for her again!

Are you paid per child or per evening? Can make a big difference

I think it's a bonus if they are asleep.

I probably wouldn't sit for her again, though.

@OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon They 90% of the time are and the mum usually says not to worry as she’ll get them to sleep first to make life easier. This mum wanted me to make food, tidy away, play games etc

Same price but sounds like you didn't like the mum so don't sit for her again

@lowflow This is the thing-per evening, that’s why I’m comparing the difference

If anything, I think you should offer a reduction if the parent is sorting everything out before they go. I don't think you can decide a cost you charge for babysitting/ childcare, and then complain if you have to do babysitting/ childcare within that cost. If you have an easy night, that's a bonus for you, not the other way round.

@Londonrach1 I did like her and the kids, just comparing the expectations from previous parents I suppose

@anon2022anon When we go out in the evening, I have Dd in bed already for our babysitter and leave food, drinks & the remote

@NoKnit £15 an hour

One charge if kids asleep and sorted. You are the safety monitor.

A higher charge if kids awake, you are expected to give constant attention, and food etc. You are the nanny.

Personally I think she was a cheeky mare with 3 boisterous children to deal with. I wouldn't be going there again.

This. For £15 an hour and given the job, you should expect to interact with children. It's cheeky to expect to only do jobs when all you do is eat and watch TV!

YABU. Your hourly rate is your hourly rate. With older children as opposed to babies or toddlers their bedtime especially at the weekend, isn’t going to be at 7pm. I did a lot of babysitting as a teen and the only ones that were asleep when I got there were the under 5s, and most of my regulars were more like 7-10 so we’d watch a movie and have snacks together. It’s part of the job! I have to confess though there were a few families where I would just be busy next time asked because the kids didn’t go to bed nicely, were poorly behaved and the parents didn’t tip for the trouble or provide snacks so I figured it wasn’t worth it when I had plenty of nice families and didn’t need the money that badly. You don’t have to work for anyone you don’t want to.

Agree with this

Babysitting and childcare are 2 different things

We once had a babysitter querying whether we actually had children.
I would definitely have a different charging structure for having to be in attendance for sleeping children, and having to get snacks and do housework.

I guess this is something you need to discuss before you take the job. If you don't feel you charge enough to compensate for having to be actively engaged with the kids etc then up your charges. Of course it's great when the kids are just asleep but not every job will be like this, I only babysat once as a teen and omg it was horrendous 🤣 I thought he'd be going to bed early and I'd be sat watching TV but nope he was rude, sassy asf, wouldn't go to bed, shouting jumping off the furniture I was frazzled by the time the parents got back at 11 🤣😭

@HelloMiss @halava Yes this is what I’m thinking and number of kids too maybe

£15 an hour to watch TV and eat snacks! I’d feel guilty for the families whose children were asleep. Not that I needed to increase the price for those awake.