If you’re a babysitter, and a pretty good one, you’ll definitely want to set some time aside to give this article a read.
We’ll be taking a look at the younger, part-time babysitting jobs, but we’ll also dive into the full-time nanny jobs as well (read: How to ask for a raise as a nanny). Your work is valuable, at any level of babysitting you do, and we’ll be the first to tell you that you deserve that raise you’re looking for.
We’ll be showing you how to ask for a raise as a babysitter, and we’ll be showing you a few different scenarios in which this will work. We’ll be going over a lot of information, but trust on this one, you’ll definitely want to soak it all in.
Now, with that being said, we’ll be breaking everything down into easy to read sections for you. This way you can bounce around as you please.
How to ask for a raise as a babysitter
- Consider the length you’ve been with the family
- Make it about the kids, not your personal reasons
- Run the numbers to show the market rate
- Focus on providing an upgrade
We definitely recommend that you take some time to go over each section, because as your babysitting job grows so will your financial demands. Plus, if you do decide to go the nanny route, you’ll want to take a look at our full-time section as well.
Now, without wasting anymore time, let’s dive right into the facts. Sit back, relax, and gear up to get that raise.
Consider how long you’ve been with the family
Being a babysitter is a beautiful job because it allows you to grow with the family you work with. Think about it, you’ll be exposed to all the milestones with the children you care for, but this also means that their needs will increase as they grow older. This means that caring for a toddler is a bit different than handling a rowdy teenager or even an infant.
Suggest a performance review
When it comes to asking for a raise as a babysitter you need to consider your role as a job or place of employment. It might not seem like it -as the pay is usually off the books- but that doesn’t mean that you’re not working a job for the family. So if you’re looking to get a little bit of a raise, try suggesting a performance review once you reach the one year mark.
A performance review is something that most jobs do for their employees, and to be blunt, babysitting is definitely a job. If the parents agree you’ll want to create a list of things to talk about.
Your list can be made up of the following:
- How you’ve grown with the kids
- Your bond with the kids
- What you’ve been doing for the kids
- The amount of time you spend with the kids
- Are you working with a new infant?
- The amount of kids you’re taking care of
Please keep in mind that this is only a brief list, and if you can think of other reasons as to why you’re important please list them out. A performance review is a place for you to speak your mind, and also the best way to ask for a raise as a babysitter.
Asking for a performance review is an excellent way to ask for a raise as babysitter. It will help you come off as professional, and it will give the parents something to truly sit there and think about.
Make it about the children
When it comes to money, emotion is one of the biggest ways to see more of it. This is due to the fact that a lot of people make financial decisions that are backed by emotion. When it comes to parents, the largest driver is their children. Think about, the average child costs $13,000 per year… and most parents don’t even realize it.
Don’t come off as rude, but show the parents how you’ve created a relationship with their children
When it comes down to asking for a raise as a babysitter, the best way to do so is to prove that their children like you. Parents invest a lot of time and money into babysitting. It’s very important that the children like the babysitter. Therefore, if you can prove that the children like you, you’re in a very good position to ask for a raise.
We know that using children as leverage when asking for a raise seems harsh, but if you really are doing right by the family and building a relationship, your service instantly becomes unique.
Run the numbers
If logic is the best thing you know, then make sure that you use it as a raise getting weapon. This is due to the fact that many parents don’t directly know how much a babysitter should be paid, so when it comes to asking for a raise as a babysitter be sure to reference the actual numbers. Not only will this help your case, but it will also make you seem professional.
Check the rates for each state
Babysitting is not exactly a job that is very regulated, but that doesn’t mean that it lacks potential. This is due to the fact that each state has their own figures set for babysitting (hourly). This means that you can use those numbers to set your rates, and you can even use those numbers to earn more as well. Also see our article on How much of a raise should I ask for?
Be firm
Once you know the numbers — and how much you deserve to be paid — try to be firm. Not only will this help you come off as a professional, but it will give the parents an ultimatum. You need to make sure you don’t come off as rude. This can harm your chances. Also, in this case, you might want to also consider finding yourself a plan B as well (When you ask for a raise and don’t get it). It can give you an added confidence boost. And it could potentially be a clear escape route if you don’t manage to get the raise. It’s always good to have options, right?
Help the parents understand your situation
If you’re a college student, and someone who will be going away to school, make sure that you make the parents aware of this. This can strike a cord with them and their own kids. The result could be some extra money to help you while you’re away at school. You should also make it clear that the relationship you’ve built is important. It can be hard for the family to find a babysitter that the children will like aside from you.
This depends on the situation, and we recommend you wait some time before you do this. Presenting the numbers to parents can go a long way when asking for a raise as a babysitter.
Provide an upgrade
This is usually for your younger babysitters. When you obtain your driver’s license you can provide some additional bonuses for your babysitting service. It’s is due to the fact that you’ll be able to bring the children to places like the park. This is much different than staying in one location. After all, you’ll be using things like gas and a car.
This is a great time to ask for a raise, because there will be more expenses on your end. With those added expenses, and the better service you’ll be providing, you’ll have little to no trouble when it comes time to ask for a raise. Please keep in mind that you can always suggest new ways to babysit. With each new way, you can renegotiate the amount that you’re paid.
Adding an upgrade to your service is by far one of the best ways to ask for a raise as a babysitter. Plus, if you’re lucky, you won’t even have to ask in this case.
For full-time nannies
If you’re someone who has made a career out of babysitting, honestly, we salute you. It’s a passionate job, and one you might love, but we definitely know that it’s not the easiest job in the world. Kids can be quite the handful, and you deserve credit where credit is due. So if you’re a full-time nanny, you’ll definitely want to take a look at this section. Read our article on how to ask for a raise as a nanny.
Take a look at your contract
When it comes to doing babysitting full-time, it’s very common to have a freelance type contract. This contract will serve as your baseline. We don’t know you that well, so we don’t know the details of your individual contract. But we do know that being on a contract does give you a bit of an advantage.
Now, you can make changes, ask for annual reviews to be included, and even leave a provision for bonuses and raises. So when it comes to contract, make sure that you and your employer are reviewing everything at least once per year. Plus, as each year passes, feel free to ask for a raise.
Overtime is key
When it comes to being a nanny, one thing that is often tossed out the window is working overtime. This is due to the fact that it’s not as formal as a standard job, which can lead to some overtime issues. While you may be a kind soul who enjoys childcare, that doesn’t take away the fact that you need to eat.
Therefore, if you’re working anywhere over 40 hours per week, you have the right to ask for overtime pay. This is not just backed by what you’re reading here today, but it’s also backed by the law. So if you’re working 45 hours per week please make sure that you’re getting the overtime you deserve. It can end up amounting to a couple of thousand extra per year. So while it may seem like asking for a raise in the traditional sense, overtime pay can certainly feel like one.
Performance review
As a full-time nanny you’re likely having performance reviews already. This is due to the fact that the relationship is a bit stronger. You’ll likely be working with the children for an extended period of time. This is where you want to ask for your raise. It will give the family some time to evaluate the points you make.
Here are some good things to suggest as evidence for why you deserve a raise:
- You’ve helped the kids grow up
- You’ve been helping with mundane tasks
- You’ve been with the family for quite some time
- The kids have bonded with you
- You have some additional plans ready for the next year
- How the children have grown up well
Please keep in mind that these are just some quick things to bring up. Depending on your situation, there should be more as well.
Being a full-time nanny is a very respectable career choice. You should be able to ask for a raise in the same way you would at a different job. Just make sure you time it right. When it comes down to it, make sure that the parents understand how valuable you are to the family.
Recap: Asking for a raise as a babysitter
We know that we went over quite a bit of information today. It’s important that you understand everything about asking for a raise as babysitter. Plus, while a babysitter may not feel like a more formal job, that doesn’t make you unworthy of receiving a raise just like anyone else.
If you ever feel a bit lost or confused about what we’ve gone over, please feel free to refer back to this article as a guide. We want to make sure that you’re well informed, and there is no shame in going over some of the details again if you need to.
A lot of the time asking for a raise can be emotional as a babysitter. It’s because it’s the children of the parents you’re talking about. Just make sure that you present your case well. On top of that, make sure that you show how much the children like you.
Now that know everything you need to know about asking for a raise as a babysitter, will you finally get the compensation you deserve?
