I am a 31 year old mother of 2 boys (3 and 2 years old). I am babysitting twin girls who are 16 months old. I have to pack up everything for my boys (food and all), and take them over to the lady's house to babysit. She works 8:30 to 5:30 (most of the time she doesn't get home until after 6) 4 days a week. She is paying me $75 a week. This is what we originally agreed on because she says she can't pay more. I have a lot of friends and family telling me this is not enough to be paid. I would just like to know, is it? It has been quite awhile since I have babysat.

4 days into $75 = $18.75 a day
9+ hours per day into $18.75 = $2.00 or so per hour

Since you have to go to her house and be out of your element and away from your own kitchen, etc. it seems like you are making sacrifices you shouldn't have to make for not much money.

Why can't you care for the twins at your house?

Her car is broke down and in the shop. She gets a ride to work. She says she can't afford to pay a babysitter anymore than that. Not sure what to do. She has had a lot of trouble with past babysitters and I am told it's because she didn't pay them enough, but of course she says she can't afford to pay any more. I really want to stop babysitting for her, but she would have a lot of trouble finding someone else. I don't want to leave her without a babysitter, but a the same time, what she is paying me isn't worth dragging my poor little boys out so early in the morning.

How far away does she live? Could you drive over there and bring back her kids to your house each day?

I pay my dog sitter $12.00 an hour. I am either overpaying or you are being underpaid.

I have certainly worked jobs in the past where I was not fairly compensated BUT I needed the money. What is your situation?

And, yes, perhaps you can agree to some adjustments in the arrangement -

Years ago, I knew women who worked full time, and paid sitters or daycare most of their paycheck. I asked them why did they bother working in the first place, and was told, "I need to get away from the kids. I need to be with adults."

Um, isn't that why one has kids in the first place, to be with them and watch them grow up?

Do you have any idea if this woman wants to "get away," or does she really need the extra income? If she just wants to be out of the house, I wouldn't have any problem charging her more to take care of her children.

I work at a pre school and babysit on the side for some of my students and I get 20.00 an hour (more money than I get paid at work). Yes, it's fun but it is a huge responsabilty and you should be paid accordingly. I watch Infants are mostly. Hope this helps.