Overnight Care For Three Kids? Single Military Dad

[LaLa1923]

I currently have a new client who needs 2-3 overnights a month. I really don't know what to charge him. I don't want to charge him too much. He has no family or anyone else that can help him out. (he's in the military) My weekly charge for him is $475 a week and he does get a discount. What would you charge him?

BTW there's three kids- 2,4, and 9.

[Cradle2crayons]

I charge $35 a night for overnights. Per child.

If you think that's too much, then what about ten bucks more than your daily drop in rate per child and see what it ends up being.

[LaLa1923]

I charge $35 a night for overnights. Per child.

If you think that's too much, then what about ten bucks more than your daily drop in rate per child and see what it ends up being.

How much is your daily rate??

[SilverSabre25]

I would charge my daily rate per child. Presumably you'll be feeding them dinner, possibly an evening snack, handling teeth brushing and jammies, bedtime stories and kisses and cuddles, then waking up and breakfast and getting dressed in the morning. Since they'll be asleep all night (you hope) I personally couldn't bear to charge more.

Have an iron-clad evening and bedtime routine, as well as morning routine (but you probably know this). Good luck!

[LaLa1923]

I would charge my daily rate per child. Presumably you'll be feeding them dinner, possibly an evening snack, handling teeth brushing and jammies, bedtime stories and kisses and cuddles, then waking up and breakfast and getting dressed in the morning. Since they'll be asleep all night (you hope) I personally couldn't bear to charge more.

Have an iron-clad evening and bedtime routine, as well as morning routine (but you probably know this). Good luck!

What is your routine?

[nanglgrl]

You may want to check out his story if you haven't already. Last I knew you could not be in the military and be the sole custodian of children. I may be wrong but that what the rule was when I was in 15 years ago.

[LaLa1923]

You may want to check out his story if you haven't already. Last I knew you could not be in the military and be the sole custodian of children. I may be wrong but that what the rule was when I was in 15 years ago.

He isn't, they have 50/50 but she lives across the country. I will have to apart of his family plan if he's deployed. I already checked.

[SilverSabre25]

What is your routine?

I don't do overnight daycare so I'm not sure I'll be of much help. There are some threads that discuss it though...Nannyde had some advice, years back. Someone with more skill at searching the forums might be able to dredge those up and link 'em, or Nanny might weigh in.

[cheerfuldom]

It would depend on what hours and what meals needed. My daily rate is $30 a day for no more than 10 hours of daycare. So for occasional evening care, thats what I would charge for 10 hours at night, no meals (I only provide snacks during the day).

[Cradle2crayons]

My drop in daily care is $25 a day per child so if I did an overnight for a sibling set of three kids, I'd probably $65 a night, that'd be giving him a discount since he's already a full time family.

[daycarediva]

My overnight rate is $10/more than my day rate, so for ME to do it, it would be $135 for ONE night. I would probably just charge him $20 more (or $125) and comp the 9yo. I will do nights/overnights on occasion but NEVER evenings.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I wouldn't charge anything less than your daily rate for each child.

[kathiemarie]

This is on top of his reg. weekly payment, right?
If its for work (protecting our freedoms) I would charge $10 to $15 per kid. I would look at it as my way of helping our country. If it was because he needing a break (hey its hard being a single parent) it would charge my daily rate $40 per kid.

[craftymissbeth]

This is on top of his reg. weekly payment, right?
If its for work (protecting our freedoms) I would charge $10 to $15 per kid. I would look at it as my way of helping our country. If it was because he needing a break (hey its hard being a single parent) it would charge my daily rate $40 per kid.

Definitely not arguing that those in the military don't deserve the help, but would you also give steep discounts to everyone with a "helping" career (for lack of a better term)? For example firefighters, police officers, nurses, doctots, etc.

I cannot imagine being able to pay my bills while giving discounts to families based on their professions or marital status.

Maybe centers can afford it, but I couldn't.

[Crystal]

On the days he needs overnight care, will they also be in attendance during the day? If not, I wouldn't charge anything because he already pays for the day time that he wouldn't be using. If they would be there during the day as well, I'd probably charge $50 night.

That being said, I really wouldn't do it at all. I NEED my nights off!