Student Job: Babysitter 🍼 #babysitter #skit #StreetCents

Learning what it’s like working as a student babysitter in Canada as a part-time job for teens.

[LaRana]

Tips from a former babysitter:
-The first time I go to a new family's house, I always ask where the first aid kit/bandaids/medical stuff is. So I know where to go if something happens to me or the kid
- Ask the parents what they do to discipline their kids if the kid misbehaves (time outs, take away a toy, etc.). Some kids might cry if they go in time out or just ignore you if you lecture them because it's not what they're used to.
- ask what the kids' fav snack/flavour is, so if I'm making lunch/have to whip up some dinner on the fly (sometimes the pizza delivery man doesn't show up) I know what to work with.
- hand wipes will be your best friend. Spills and stains are unavoidable.

[elfsongtavern]

Glad to see teenagers respecting themselves as workers. That’s a lesson that took me too long to learn.

[AgentKJ]

I babysit for a sweet girl literally right across the street, so since it’s so close and she is an angel we settled on $12.00 an hour, feels fair imo 😂

[ronifae]

Back in my babysitting days, I was paid $.35 in 1958 (one family had 5 kids and I was 11 yrs old!) but I finally was allowed to charge $.50/hr. Quit doing that in '63. I can't believe I was in charge of 5 children when I was so young. My mother was insistent that not only do I watch the children but also do dishes and pick up the house. I was booked for three nites a week. Most of the families I sat for were friends of my folks so there wasn't any way for me to turn down the jobs. I was also expected to watch my 3 siblings during the week. Needless to say, I never developed an overwhelming desire to have my own children.

[samwebb]

When I was 12 I started babysitting. I started with $10/h for 1 kid and $2 for each additional child. I had no babysitting license but I had done a first aid class for girl guides and had been made an older sister 4 time since I was 1. I made enough to buy a $350 iPhone 4 and still have spending money on top of paying the first phone bill. I babysat a lot for that family. Most of the time I was super flexible. I charged less for families struggling income wise because honestly money was money and they didn't have much

[rleering]

This lady wanted to hire me for $5 an hour. I told them minimum wage ($14 at the time) is what I would do it for. I met the kids and she still insisted on $5 an hour, but the 15 minutes I spent there talking to them and meeting the kids, I knew instantly $14/hr wouldn’t be enough. They were hell spawns of children, I would need $200/hr to pay for therapy afterwards.

[shannanjohnson]

We pay our babysitter $20 an hour. Kids are hard lol!

[sabrinapederson]

My base rate is $20 an hour. An extra $5 if kids are usually disruptive or wild, for cleaning, and for pets. And if there's more than 3 kids, I charge an extra $2 per kid. I do a good job babysitting though. I'm very interactive with the kids, and I heavily limit screen time. I'm never on my phone, but keep it on me in case the parents call or text.

[sylviayoung]

I'm a nanny and I make over $20/hr, but I'm also Teacher Qualified, CPR Certified, and I've taken child development classes.
I work two part-time nanny jobs while going to school part-time, and I'm really loving my life rn. it takes a year to get TQ, but after that, you can bump your pay up by like $5/hr
Edit: I'll also say that I've been very flexible over the years that I've worked with these families. Two years ago when their mom's hours were cut for a few months, I told them to pay me what they could, and when her hours went back up, they brought my pay back up. They were incredibly grateful and I was able to figure it out, it's important to be kind and give where you can.

[Lovinia]

When you turn 18 you can make some real bank getting licensed for nanny/babysitting/childcare by your local CPS. Foster families always need babysitters

[reagangard]

As a nanny of 7.5 years who started out babysitting, thank you! I wish I had something like this to help me out. And For all the people out there who really like babysitting and want to go full time nannying is amazing. I would recommend looking at agencies when you start out. Normally nanny’s don’t pay anything to get signed on at an agency, and it gives you access to better jobs that have had background checks done on the family as well so you know your going into a safe environment. You’ll most likely get a contract with the family to, with the contract can come benefits, pay time off and guaranteed hours etc

[ThtOtherJess]

I started babysitting when I was 11 and my mom signed me up for an inperson babysitting course at the local hospital. Not only did it make me feel more confident and prepared in case something came up it also gave me CPR and AED certification PLUS being able to say I took the class was a good bit of peace of mind for the parents and sometimes got me the job over other sitters. I charged 15-20$ an hour in 2000-2009. See if there are similar courses offered in your area.

[Beowulf]

Excellent advice and i am glad I listened to the video more than once as I almost commented something that she covered at the end.

[lisaozenich]

Sometimes you should adjust by circumstances too. I babysat for a 2 parent working household and I only asked for 7 dollars an hour for both of their kids. They both worked at Walmart making 12 dollars an hour. It's not right to charge more than they make and sometimes it's nice to just help out people who need it. I'm not saying do things for free but just think about it ❤️ A lot of women cant even work because of how expensive childcare is, sometimes childcare costs more then their paycheck. Government assistance is out there too ❤️

[IzzyKawaiichi]

I babysat a couple of times for a family we knew very well (my brother was friends with their oldest child). One time I arrived there in the early evening, and the two toddlers were already in their PJ's just because the mom was trying to make it easier for me. I was basically just supposed to feed them dinner, let them play a little, and then put them to bed, but she did show me where the extra PJ's were ~just in case.~ WELL. I had to change BOTH of their PJs within the first hour because of diaper leaks (they weren't on wrong, or anything-- just too much at once!), and then later, I had to call the mom and ask where MORE PJs were because the youngest one blew out her diaper in her crib and there was poop EVERYWHERE. I cleaned her and the crib, but she was just in her diaper for a while because I didn't have any other clothes for her until I got ahold of the mom. She was very understanding, though. ^^

[john_cullen]

Another factor for babysitter pay is the added hazard pay for dealing with slasher movie villains so often

[scarlett]

i currently babysit for a 4 year old and 1 year old across the street from me for £8 an hour, i think it’s s good wage they r sweet kids and their parents are really kind and give me food and drinks if i’m babysitting around lunch time or dinner. idk how people can afford to pay $20 an hour 😂😂

[cookiediangelo]

I love my babysitting family :) The kids are adorable and the mom and I have a great relationship. I also got to see the baby grow into a toddler, which is the coolest thing.

[TheClosetIsGlass_]

For some reason I get so excited when I hear creators are from Canada, ESPECIALLY Ontario cause that’s where I’m from lol

[classicminer]

I have a friend who was a babysitter, oldest of 5 siblings, cpr training, all that stuff and a good babysitter from when i was over at their house and only charged $10 compared to $14 an hour for any other babysitters in town but never got any business because "Men aren't responsible enough to be babysitters" or something which was some lady told him and I get that the feeling was the same for others based on how they talked about it.