My friend is watching our baby while we go out to dinner tomorrow. What do you "pay" friends when they watch your baby? Folks I've chatted with at work said they always reject cash (and it feels strange asking my friend what her "hourly rate" is). I was thinking 2 bottles of wine?
(We're both in our 30s, she's single with no kids)
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As someone who is happy to babysit for my friends' babies, I'd say you don't have to 'pay' her anything. I was happy when my friend had bought a frozen dinner she knew I liked and told me there was an open bottle of wine in the fridge. She did, however, give me a gift card for a pedicure the next time I saw her, which was definitely not necessary (though appreciated). When I baby sat again, she didn't give me anything- nor did I expect it.
So I say something small-- one bottle of wine would be great-- is fine. -
@Foodnerd81: Thanks! And good call on the food thing. I'll have to make sure we have something in the fridge for her.
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Or make sure there is a good movie around for after the baby/kids go down.
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I think a bottle of wine would be nice. Have fun at dinner!
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I think asking her how much an hour would be appreciated, more than likely she will say no way, but if for some reason she IS expecting some payment - it would be awkward if you didn't offer anything..
I like the idea of a meal and wine in the fridge!
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I babysit for my friend all the time and never expect anything, nor does she give me anything. I always offer to babysit so I don't feel the need to get paid! She usually brings over ice cream, dinner, lunch, ect. depending on time of day when she comes to pick her up, this is perfect for me!
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I babysat my friends daughter for New YEars Eve. What a mistake! She nver told me it would be a sleepover, the girl was so rude to my family, the girl then wouldn't sleep and wanted to get in my bed between me and DH and then when my friend picked her up there was no payment or treats or anything. Ya that was fun.
I'm all about helping my friends out but that was a long night.
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I liked the pedicure gift certificate idea! I wouldn’t want to be paid anything for watching my friend’s kids (on occasion…it would obviously be different if it was an everyday occurrence) but I think a small gift certificate would be nice.
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@anonysquire: Yikes!
I'm going to make tater tot hot dish (it's what she always requests when I have her over for dinner) and give her a bottle of wine as a gift. We'll only be gone for a few hours (maybe 3 tops), so I think that should be good?
Unless she tells me that our LO had a scream fit (which she's not doing too often at 3 months). If so, then I'm opening my wallet!
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@Goldilocks1107: is your tater tot hot dish the same as my tater tot casserole (which my husband LOVES)? We make it with cream of mushroom soup and green beans...
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@Mrsdaredevil: I make mine with peas and cream of celery soup (I don't like mushrooms!). Otherwise, it also has rice, milk, hamburger and shredded cheese in it. And topped with tater tots, of course!
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@Goldilocks1107: so it is similar! We do ground turkey, cream of mushroom or cream of chicken, green beans, and shredded cheese. Good old fashioned comfort food!
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@Goldilocks1107: Can I babysit for you? Lol I love tater tots!
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@Mrsdaredevil: This reminds me, we always got th best food when my parents left us with sitters. Mac & cheese with hot dogs, pizza, tater tots.
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I'd appreciate something good to eat in the house and a mani/pedi gift certificate or something like that!
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When I baby-sat for my friend's daughter, my friend gave me a tupperware of home-made chocolate chip cookies and a bottle of wine. It was much appreciated!
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16 comments