Teen Babysitters Tell All

Advice for Parents to Keep them Coming Back

By Susan Flynn

Teen babysitters don’t belong to unions that could represent their rights. They often lack the savvy to negotiate pay and working conditions. Most of the time, at the conclusion of a job, they smile, reply, “The kids were great” – even if they’ve endured less-than-stellar treatment by our little darlings – and head out the door.

Yes, as far as employee-employer relationships go, parents tend to have the upper hand. “It can be difficult for these children to be assertive,” agrees Bette Antonellis, a nurse and veteran instructor for teen babysitter courses. “Part of being a good babysitter is asking the questions you need, but they aren’t used to working for adults.”

Still, when we asked more than a dozen babysitters what parents can do to make their jobs easier, they weren’t afraid to speak up. They shared personal pet peeves, horror stories, and a general sentiment that respect and well-behaved kids are more important than the hourly pay.

While not typically our policy, we allowed the babysitters to speak anonymously to ensure that their comments were candid and that no one risked offending neighbors or relatives. Those interviewed ranged in age from 15 to 22, and all were female. Here, they provide parents with some helpful suggestions that they might otherwise be reluctant to say to your face:

Be upfront about the pay.

It’s hard for people to talk money, and even harder for teens. Several babysitters say they appreciate when parents discuss the hourly rate before they come to the house. “It’s hard to negotiate pay when you’re a 13-year-old talking to an adult,” says one 21-year-old. “One time, I had a horrible baby-sitting experience where the kids were a nightmare and one of them slapped me in the face. When the parents came back, I thought they were paying me $3 an hour per kid, but the mother thought $3 an hour for both, so I walked out with $12 for four hours of terror.”

Don’t prolong payment.

One sitter says it can be awkward hanging around the house waiting for parents to pay her, or having to remind them weeks later. Another teen urges parents to pay more when children invite friends over. Finally, an increase in the hourly rate is much appreciated, says one 18-year-old veteran. “If I’ve been baby-sitting for a while, change the rate a little bit if the kids are enjoying their time and I’ve done a good job.”