Feeling Kinda Bad

[Justjoy]

I have always told parent's I will not provide care evenings, weekends or holidays. Well....I made an exception last night for one of my parents. They have been with me since the beginning and their little girl is my favorite DCK. The mom just had another baby 2 months ago and I will be getting him too in a couple of weeks. Mom asked me a week ago if I would possibly consider watching both kids so mom & dad could go out to dinner and a movie. Without even thinking, I said, "sure". She didn't ask me what I would charge, and I honestly didn't even think about it. So they get here last night and ask me what they owe me. I just said, "the usual".

I got up this morning and started thinking that I way over charged them. They were gone 3 hours and I charged them $65

Please give me your thoughts on this. I'm feeling really crappy about myself right now.

[Malmom]

I think you did overcharge them. Very rarely do I babysit at night or weekends, but my going rate is $10 an hour for one kid, $12 an hour for 2+ kids. That seems to be the normal going rate in my area.

I would just tell her you weren't even thinking last night when you said the usual and she overpaid you. Give her a refund in the amount you feel comfortable with.

[Josiegirl]

I think you did overcharge them. Very rarely do I babysit at night or weekends, but my going rate is $10 an hour for one kid, $12 an hour for 2+ kids. That seems to be the normal going rate in my area.

I would just tell her you weren't even thinking last night when you said the usual and she overpaid you. Give her a refund in the amount you feel comfortable with.

I kind of agree. Maybe you could just credit the amount you feel is more fair towards your normal rates. I have no idea what rates are if you were to get a babysitter for an evening like that, depends on where you live I'm sure. But I remember 1 dcm who had someone watch her dd 1 night on a weekend and they charged her 75 bucks. I told her she should've asked me, I would've done it for nothing. (one of my dearest dcgs ever and she's aged out now)
And there's NO need to feel badly, just make it right, to the point where everybody's happy again, including you.

[Unregistered]

My DD babysits 1 SN kid for $20 for 3 hrs

[e.j.]

Back a few years ago, my dd and her friends used to charge $10 per hour per child so the $65 the parents paid you wouldn't be that high for this area - especially since rates probably have gone up since then. Given the fact that you're an experienced child care provider who gave up her Friday night to watch their kids, I would say you're fine. I don't know what's typical for your area, though. If you're not comfortable, you could always give some of the money back but otherwise, I would say leave it alone. Unless you really want to be asked again, the high fee might be enough to discourage future requests.

[NillaWafers]

That's pretty much or for the course in my area. Which is why my hubby and I never go out .

[jenboo]

I charge $10 am hour. $65 for 3 hours is very high IMO.

[childcaremom]

In my area, you would pay approx $10/hr to a teenager for one child. If you can find a babysitter. They are hard to come by and they are expensive. (we also never went out often)

You are experienced, qualified and are known to the children and family. You worked outside hours for them.

I wouldn't refund or give credit. I think this may be on par or close to the value they received.

[Justjoy]

Thank you all for your input. I called the lady this afternoon and explained to her that I felt I over charged her and told her I would like to put half of what I charged her towards tomorrow's (Mon) care. She replied saying no, no I expected to pay that. It was worth it.

I'm still not going to charge her for tomorrow

[momofboys]

Thank you all for your input. I called the lady this afternoon and explained to her that I felt I over charged her and told her I would like to put half of what I charged her towards tomorrow's (Mon) care. She replied saying no, no I expected to pay that. It was worth it.

I'm still not going to charge her for tomorrow

I would still charge. I know teen sitters in my area routinely make $13-15/hr. I don't think you were overpricing by much.

[Play Care]

I would still charge. I know teen sitters in my area routinely make $13-15/hr. I don't think you were overpricing by much.

This. You are an experienced, ADULT caregiver. Of course you should have charged your usual rate! If she had wanted a cheapie young teenager, she would have hired one.

On a side note, when we undervalue ourselves, it's no wonder everyone else does.

[Blackcat31]

In my area, you would pay approx $10/hr to a teenager for one child. If you can find a babysitter. They are hard to come by and they are expensive. (we also never went out often)

You are experienced, qualified and are known to the children and family. You worked outside hours for them.

I wouldn't refund or give credit. I think this may be on par or close to the value they received.

This. ^^

You are not a teen babysitter.

You are a professional, experienced, self employed business owner that gave a client special hours/services.

Those come at a stiff cost but one that also comes with the comfort and security of knowing their children are in good and safe hands.

As a nervous parent of a newborn, that is priceless.

[Leigh]

I would not feel bad. I charge $50 per 12 hour period for after hours care (1 hour or 11:59 is $50). I'd have charged $100 for what you did. If you took care of these kids for $15, would it have been worth it to you? For $30? It wouldn't be for me. If the parents are willing to pay it, then you are charging appropriately.

[AmyKidsCo]

This. ^^

You are not a teen babysitter.

You are a professional, experienced, self employed business owner that gave a client special hours/services.

Those come at a stiff cost but one that also comes with the comfort and security of knowing their children are in good and safe hands.

As a nervous parent of a newborn, that is priceless.

ITA, but at the same time, if you want to charge less, you can. I have a FCC friend who regularly watches one of her dc babies for a couple of hours at night or on weekends because she loves the baby and wants to help the family. She doesn't charge anything because it's her way of helping out.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I think you did overcharge them. Very rarely do I babysit at night or weekends, but my going rate is $10 an hour for one kid, $12 an hour for 2+ kids. That seems to be the normal going rate in my area.

I would just tell her you weren't even thinking last night when you said the usual and she overpaid you. Give her a refund in the amount you feel comfortable with.

Yes, that's the going rate here as well (in the South).