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

@medik7 I earn under the threshold so they don’t need to be declared, ok? Where I am there is an amount you need to be earning before you have to declare it, it’s all above board it’s ok, you don’t need to worry 👍
Time to move on with your day/life now perhaps? Get a little more over invested in someone else.
Ive ignored most of your previous comments as you’re just deliberately trying to get a rise, which I find a bit sad to be honest and don’t understand.
So I’m leaving this here.

This thread highlights the issues surrounding childcare generally. Many parents expect to receive childcare and delegate responsibility for their children as cheaply as possible. Childcare providers are undervalued and parents are increasingly seeing themselves as part time primary caregivers. It all starts with funded hours in nurseries where parents expect to drop off their children at the crack of dawn and pick them up late afternoon ready for bed. Full time parenting is no longer an option for most new parents sadly so childcare has become an essential service within society, but is increasingly regarded as an entitlement not an adequately paid for provision.

I would want my children to meet you before they went to bed. What if they wake up and some random stranger to them is downstairs and not their parents?

@CaptainCabinetsTrappedInCabinets I know, I find that quite weird also. Sometimes they do, for example, one mum kept her baby up a bit longer to meet me, then went to breastfeed him to sleep before they went. It took a fair amount of time though so I can see how it’s tricky to know what to do for the best.

I notice a lot of posts on Mumsnet, including this thread, basically insinuating that if you don't pay the maximum possible for childcare, you clearly don't love your children because they are the most precious things in the world, surely you should want to pay vast sums to your babysitter or nanny?

I find this attitude a bit weird. I won't leave my children in care that I think isn't adequate. I don't use teen babysitters as my children are still young. I use qualified people who I trust. But of course I also pay some attention to the cost - there are a few agencies in my area and I picked the one that is best value. Why shouldn't I? Why should I voluntarily pay more even though I could afford to?

If I hired a nanny, it would be the same - of course I want high quality care but it doesn't make me a horrible parent or person if I also want value for money and don't just want to throw cash at someone to show my love for my children

I think your skills and experience are worth £15 per hour for peace of mind of the parents regardless of if you need to use them or not. I'd be much happier leaving my kids with you than a 15/16 year old.

All jobs have there pros and cons, I have clients who are a dream and others a total pain in the butt. That’s life. I think you could only adjust the price on age eg a toddler versus a 10 year old but even then you can’t guarantee an easy gig. Next time say no - 3 kids is too much

It’s struck me there are quite a few sub topics within this discussion.
I don’t see how people can compare Agency/nursery rates with teen rates with people with a full time job who are sitting as a supplementary job. Agencies and nurseries have buildings, insurance, holiday and sick pay etc to cover, in theory teens don’t earn enough to pay tax and then there’s the thorny subject of should people like OP declare earnings and pay tax as this would greatly affect wages.
I’d like to point out it’s not always true people are awash with money and begrudge paying. For my husband and I in the early days we had to work out sitter fee including sitter taxi and only then see what was left to go out with, I’m sure it’s the same for many couples now too.
In this case, it seems sensible to charge per child, as that’s a known, and to say no refund for early return. I can’t honestly see how you would fairly differentiate costs based upon if a child is awake/asleep. Surely a lot will depend upon age of child and time of parental departure. I also think it would be scary for a child not to know who was sitting for them prior if they are meant to be already asleep.

I was asked to babysit once for a family member, 2 boys about ten years younger than me. I was a teenager at the time. She put them to bed before she left and told me to sit and watch TV as she just needed someone in the house with them just in case. As can't leave children alone all night.
A few hours later, the youngest boy came down and told me he'd been sick. I took him back upstairs, Got him to take off his vomit covered PJs to change into clean ones, and put them in the wash and the vomit covered bedding. I also phoned their grandmother, as their Mum had left GrandMa's number in case of emergencies, who came straight over to help. The older boy stayed asleep through it all.
It is easier just to be in the house and watch TV, but there will be times when the children wake up during the night and need attention. But yeah, getting you to put them all to bed at different times is a bit more.
Perhaps charge per child, or ask that they be in bed for when you come, otherwise charge a bit extra for entertaining them. Unless they wake up partway through the night, as that can't be helped, and that's the reason why they need you in the house with them at all times, just in case.
xx

Actually, this is a good point too

Our babysitter (who is a nanny by profession) charges £15 per hour to look after our 2 dds (2.5 years and almost 5)
When she first started babysitting for us, she would help one of us with bath time and then do bedtime for dd1 while 1 of us put dd2 down as she wouldn't go down for anyone else.
Now she arrives at 6:30, takes the girls up to do bath and bedtime with both of them.
She has, on occasion, come early if we need to be out, and given them dinner that I have prepped.

She has also done an overnight for us (at the same rate) from 6pm to noon the next day

You let a randomer bathe your kids?!?!?!

As a teen my favourite babysitting was for a very well off couple who went out a lot, and had one toddler who was always asleep and never woke up. Plus the dad used to drive me home in his E-Type. 🙂

However the son of our neighbours, 10 or so, was always up and causing havoc. At 14 I still remember him suddenly looking at me wide-eyed and saying, ‘Hey! You’ve got bosoms!’ 😂. TBH I was gratified that he’d noticed my little 32As.

But he once pushed it too far by calling me a stupid bint, not realising that his parents had just returned. ‘I heard that!’ yelled his dad, and I dare say he got a good walloping (this was in the 60s).

I’d never turn down any babysitting though - it was almost my sole source of cash.

I should have made it clear that I wasn't being paid - I've never sought b/sitting work since I admit I don't enjoy looking after other people's children. No shame in that!

I had my arm twisted (THAT was my fault - should have been stronger) to join a circle, but though I ended up doing it for others, I never used the service since my son had difficult medical needs as a small child (ileostomy etc) so we just asked family, and rarely, and we were always within 15 mins of home in case of emergencies).

So I was resentful when, after a long day with my ASD daughter and little son with the ileostomy, to find I was expected to entertain a demanding toddler until the wee small hours, and for free. Happy to sit on a sofa and read, which also happened.

I exempt emergencies and unforeseen things - OBVS! If the kid wakes up, fine - that's just life - but to actually arrive and be expected to parent them etc instead of merely being there for their safety and supervision was annoying in those particular circs.

Feel I have to clarify since Cellophane has been rather judgemental.

I agree

£15 per hour to deal with overtired kids ... lol no thank you

I'd set lower price if the kids are asleep & higher if they're awake & need entertainment. Give them snacks- sure. Any cooking, cleaning- extra charge.

yeah but £15 per hour for 3.... thats a bit of a joke imo, they should be paying £45

Thanks for your reply!

£45ph?! 😂😂

Maybe you need to review your prices. ?? You have set the price so therefore ,unless you have an actual contract of what you will and won't do for the £15 fee ,then you really have to attend to the children irrespective of whether they sleep or don't. You can't really compare this situation to other families you 'mind' for. Every child is different. Every parents expectations will be different. Good luck with your future clients.

If you charge 15£ an hour I think that it's reasonable to actually do childcare. Also depends on timings if it's after midnight then obviously I'd charge a bit more.

One of the reasons I don't use a babysitter is because my 10 year old goes to bed late between 9 and 10 and would want a babysitter to play a game or watch something with them. When I used to babysit I played with the kids or helped them craft etc if they wanted me too until their bedtimes. Then it was story's if they had them teeth and bed .

The name of the service is 'baby sitting.' Meaning, you're supposed to sit with the sleeping children while their parents are out. In absolutely no way are you a nanny or a cleaner. Tell that woman if she requires a cleaner or an au pair the prices will be much higher. If you go to a hotel that has a listening service, they won't play games or clean after the kids for you.
As a kind of compromise you could request that all children are to be in bed upon your arrival or within 1 hour. That woman's sons being allowed up until midnight or whatever it was isn't your problem. Also, you could stipulate that extremely disobedient children or children that refuse to cooperate in any way may mean that you won't return. It's completely unfair to expect to dump kids that have been taught no manners or bed time behaviour on whoever is minding them. This is why really these services should only be for children that are already asleep when their parents leave. Those listening services will call parents to return if their child stirs also. So just think about what you charge and what's being asked of you ❤️