https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 19:36:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/am-i-paying-too-much#post-2737380 Thu, 18 May 2017 06:54:05 +0000 honeybear 2737380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds right to me. I'd stop thinking of her a mother's helper and think of her as a babysitter/very PT nanny. That's a good deal for either of those positions and plenty of people hire nannies to take care of their children while they work from home. Those nannies aren't paid less because a parent is nearby. Whether you'll mostly be there or not is irrelevant. The difference between a helper and a babysitter/nanny is what kind of responsibilities she has, and driving is a big one that totally justifies a $15 wage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/am-i-paying-too-much#post-2737342 Wed, 17 May 2017 21:03:57 +0000 Modern Daisy 2737342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That doesn't sound too far off to me. If she has experience and drives plus you are using her a la carte and not guaranteeing hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/am-i-paying-too-much#post-2737308 Wed, 17 May 2017 19:34:37 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2737308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also maybe just clarify with her that the $15 rate will cover her gas. Also maybe skip the tip. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/am-i-paying-too-much#post-2737306 Wed, 17 May 2017 19:34:02 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2737306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would pay about $10 for a high schooler with no driving. So that doesn't sound too far off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/am-i-paying-too-much#post-2737303 Wed, 17 May 2017 19:26:46 +0000 youboots 2737303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since she is doing pick up this sounds about right.</p> <p>I pay my 16 year old $7 a hour since it's what she asked for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/am-i-paying-too-much#post-2737289 Wed, 17 May 2017 18:56:29 +0000 caterw 2737289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that's reasonable for someone who is alone with your child and is responsible for driving while on duty. If you had a mother's helper who was only there to help while you are present, I would think that less would be OK. She does act as a regular babysitter when she is doing pickup so I would pay the same as a regular sitter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/am-i-paying-too-much#post-2737287 Wed, 17 May 2017 18:54:35 +0000 PawPrints 2737287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's a fair wage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/am-i-paying-too-much#post-2737283 Wed, 17 May 2017 18:45:50 +0000 looch 2737283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess it depends on what she's doing and how many hours in total. At first blush it seems pricy, but I am not sure how you'd renegotiate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/am-i-paying-too-much#post-2737280 Wed, 17 May 2017 18:31:45 +0000 Littlebit7 2737280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it sounds totally appropriate. Where I live, that would be a sweet deal honestly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/am-i-paying-too-much#post-2737279 Wed, 17 May 2017 18:23:49 +0000 erinbaderin 2737279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it sounds ok, but I also think that even if people said it was too much you wouldn't be able to renegotiate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/am-i-paying-too-much#post-2737265 Wed, 17 May 2017 17:19:01 +0000 Andrea 2737265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that sounds like a good amount, especially since she is driving. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/am-i-paying-too-much#post-2737262 Wed, 17 May 2017 17:16:04 +0000 Foodnerd81 2737262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it would be hard to change now. Also I think $15 seems reasonable for a normal 19 yo babysitter and for someone who is driving your LO. Could you just make a point to leave and go have some me time while she is there? When DH travels I try to have our sitter come for a few hours to give me a break mid week. But I always leave the house because if I'm home they will keep trying to come to me and I will hear them and be unable to relax. The sitter is 17, watches my 1 and 3 yo, and charges $15 an hour. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/am-i-paying-too-much#post-2737258 Wed, 17 May 2017 17:12:30 +0000 hellobeeboston 2737258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It probably depends on your area. For me, that sounds about right. Especially with the driving. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/am-i-paying-too-much#post-2737256 Wed, 17 May 2017 17:04:36 +0000 SteelerGirl 2737256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hired a "mother's helper" to help me out in the evenings when my husband is traveling for work. I have one child, under age 1. I will be home with her the entire time. I hired someone who is 19 yo, much older than the typical mother's helper, because I need her to pick up my daughter from daycare (so she has to be a responsible driver). </p> <p>Because she's older, and driving, I am paying her a bit more. But am I paying too much? I offered her $15/hour. </p> <p>If it is too much, am I stuck? How do I "re-negotiate"? </p>