Really?!

[melilley]

I have this acquaintance that I am friends with on fb, we used to work together and were pregnant together. She posted the she was looking to watch a few kids during the day in her house (completely illegal here, but beside my point) and she said she would charge $3 an hour. There was a young lady who commented that she was paying $3 an hour for someone to watch her dd and she was complaining about having to pay that much!

Really?!

What do parents expect? I really don't think that people think about what is included in our rates. Food, materials, art supplies, heat, water, etc... well, you guys know. I just want to message that girl (my acquaintance's friend) and give her a piece of my mind, but I won't.

[daycarediva]

It's appalling to me. Most people don't realize that it's not like sitting at home with your own children on a Sunday morning. They think it's easy money. We ADORE children, ALL of them, and it should be OUR PLEASURE to watch them for pennies.

[DaveA]

What do they expect? For you to be at their beck and call for free.:: They'll put up with ( insert sarcasm here) excellent care for next to nothing.

You might want to message her and let her know she would be operating illegally. Often times people don't think about "just a few kids" needing a license. Or it could be she just doesn't give a crap.

[melilley]

What do they expect? For you to be at their beck and call for free.:: They'll put up with ( insert sarcasm here) excellent care for next to nothing.

You might want to message her and let her know she would be operating illegally. Often times people don't think about "just a few kids" needing a license. Or it could be she just doesn't give a crap.

I thought about messaging her, but I don't think she cares. She is really young, just got married and has three kids. She is a sahm and I think is just looking for extra money. We used to work in a center together so you would think she would know that she needs a license, but maybe not.

[melilley]

It's appalling to me. Most people don't realize that it's not like sitting at home with your own children on a Sunday morning. They think it's easy money. We ADORE children, ALL of them, and it should be OUR PLEASURE to watch them for pennies.

That's why a lot of parents drop their kids off to us, even when not working, to have a "me" day...because it's so easy.

[KSDC]

I guess it depends on where you live and the cost of living. Here, $3 per hour per child would be very high priced. I charge a flat weekly fee, but it breaks down to about $2 an hour, if the family uses open to close. My rates are fairly consistent with the other providers in my little town...

[melilley]

I guess it depends on where you live and the cost of living. Here, $3 per hour per child would be very high priced. I charge a flat weekly fee, but it breaks down to about $2 an hour, if the family uses open to close. My rates are fairly consistent with the other providers in my little town...

I too charge a flat rate that breaks down to about $2.80 to $3.11 an hour depending on how long they are here and when you ad it up, it does seem a lot per week and I understand, but I just hate when people complain about it. (Centers here cost a lot more) Like bc has said on here before, kids are expensive. They should think about this before having them or open their own daycare.

[Josiegirl]

Kids ARE expensive but they're a heckuva lot more precious than expensive cell phones, fancy cars and vacations, all those big kid toys families have, memberships to gyms, kids' dance classes and not to mention eating out all the time. But what do I know. I'm just a lowly overpaid daycare provider.

[SignMeUp]

That's why a lot of parents drop their kids off to us, even when not working, to have a "me" day...because it's so easy.

They think it's "easy" for us. Hard for them ::
Makes sense to me

[Crazy8]

It's appalling to me. Most people don't realize that it's not like sitting at home with your own children on a Sunday morning. They think it's easy money. We ADORE children, ALL of them, and it should be OUR PLEASURE to watch them for pennies.

of course! I am on a bunch of budgeting boards and the first suggestion to mom's needing more money is always to "watch a few kids". I have to chime in to that one every time, LOL!!!!

From the SAHM's perspective, she is just looking to do what she already does (stay home) and make a few bucks doing it - so to her $100/week for watching a kid is a great increase from the $0 she is already making. It doesn't take them too long to figure out all the expenses involved if she's going to do anything more than plop that kid in front of the tv.

[Meeko]

Parents will buy the best quality car they can afford. The best qualityTV they can afford. The best quality phone they can afford. The best quality clothes they can afford. The best quality computers/tablets they can afford.

Then choose the cheapest childcare available, regardless of quality.

I will NEVER understand it.

[Blackcat31]

Parents will buy the best quality car they can afford. The best qualityTV they can afford. The best quality phone they can afford. The best quality clothes they can afford. The best quality computers/tablets they can afford.

Then choose the cheapest childcare available, regardless of quality.

I will NEVER understand it.

But all of those quality things SAY something about them.

If people were judged by how much they paid for their child care, it would be a whole 'nother strory.

I think this line of thinking falls under the egocentric, me-me type thinking.

Parents never used to care about what the Jone's thought.

Now it seems that the Jone's are THE measuring method used for self-worth and importance.