How to pay babysitter when taking her on a trip?

[Homunculus]

hi all,
we're considering taking our babysitter with us on a trip to Caribbean (not sure where yet). Our baby is 2 year old. From what I've read (mostly here a while ago), people pay for the round-trip airfare and a room for a babysitter. What I am not sure is what's the fair work load for a babysitter. In other words, how many hours per day a babysitter should take care of a baby. What's the best way to determine time off for a babysitter?
we normally pay $13 per hour.
Please, if you have a method that's been working well, please share it.
thank you very much.

 

[capt. dave]

I have a 8, 7 and 5 year old and three show dogs. Based on my experiences in travel, here is what I suggest.

In my opinion, the airfare, food (B, L, D) and room are a given. Prior to leaving on the trip, I would develop a "contract" with the sitter in terms of how many hours per day (day, evening, both etc.) she would be on her own (non-billable hours) and with the two year old (billable hours). Also in the contract would be her "set off hours" where she if free to do what she likes where she likes. Distinguish with the sitter what "billable and non-billable hours" are. For example, she is watching the child for 5 hours (alone) while you and your significant other are diving, swimming etc. vs. you, significant other, child and sitter are all on the beach swimming or having lunch. You may wish to keep logs of time etc. and compare at the end of the day or trip, but be prepared to compromise and be flexible. I would make sure you all agree prior to leaving as to what responsibilities will be when you get to the island. Finally, remember, your on vacation with your child who is being supervised by someone you trust, not in any daycare or on-island-service. And the sitter is getting a great deal on a "semi" paid vacation. You can't beat that......

 

[oly5050user]

PAy baysitter regular pay as you do at home if you are only taking her to watch baby..if anything she should be paid additional $$ for being away from home.You also have to pay for trip expenses for her to go,food ,room etc..why not go to a place that offers a babysitting service instead and use them ? It would be much less expensive than taking your sitter from home and having to pay for her to go and her expenses..

 

[Oyster Diver]

Communication is the key. Let the babysitter know what you are planning in general so they know what is expected of them. This leaves you some wiggle room incase you want to do something additional like a late night out. I'm assuming you like the babysitter so I would also include meals with the family. However, I would probably offer a total price for the trip instead of an hourly rate. Remember they are getting a vacation also.

 

[RonFrank]

I would consider leaving the baby with a loved one or trusted sitter at home if that is an option.

Next, I would contact the resort and discuss daycare options though them.

If you absolutely must travel with your tot, taking a babysitter along with is certainly a good if not expensive option. How many hours of sitting a day and the terms, is between you and them. If money is of no object, well that certainly helps!

 

[simcoediver]

$500 U.S cash per week and you pay for her airfare, food, and her room.Sounds reasonable to me. Make sure she gets a couple of hours a day to enjoy her time there too.

 

[White Knight]

Caribbean!!!! Are you kidding? I'll baby sit your kids! Seriously, I have brought babysitters along on trips with me when my kids were little. I always just paid them a flat fee for the trip and made sure they would have some time to themselve and took them along and paid their way for family dinners, outings and such.

 

[Reg Braithwaite]

When our son was one, we took a trip to Mexico and availed ourselves of the hotel babysitters. The experience was uneven, it really depends on the chemistry between child and babysitter.

The next trip was to Bay Islands Beach Resort in Roatan, which is a dive resort. We were able to hire a single nanny for the entire week, we paid a flat fee. She happened to be the Dive Master's cousin, and our son loved her.

Our son is now four and we have a one-year old as well. We are going back to Mexico in March, and this time we are going to take our own Nanny with us. We have discussed it with her, and basically we are paying her the same as if she were working in our home, and we are obviously also paying all of her expenses. In exchange, we are negotiating the exact hours she is "on duty" during the seven days we will be away.

My expectation is that she will end up working more than the usual five days, but she will have some time to herself in Mexico and will also have a chance to accompany us on side trips like visiting Pyramids and so forth if she that she finds interesting.

We are parents, so when we are all together she will not be working, more like a big sister. But when we are off diving she is working full time and will be paid as usual.

FWIW, she is excited about the trip.

 

[NudeDiver]

What's the best way to determine time off for a babysitter? we normally pay $13 per hour.

Make sure that you figure the full value of transportation, food and food costs, plus the actual cash, and pay FICA taxes on all of that - fully reporting the amounts to the IRS, etc.

As for the cash and making sure babysitter enjoys herself - this is a business trip. I know whenever I have made a business trip, no one ensured I had time to enjoy myself. Babysitter should be expected to take care of business, using however much time is required to do just that - and if there happens to be any "extra" time to personal enjoyment, that's just a bonus.

In any event, you definitely want to make sure there is a clear understanding before leaving town.

 

[vladimir]

and pay FICA taxes on all of that - fully reporting the amounts to the IRS, etc.

Yeah, make sure you report everything. Apparently our new Treasury Secretary and our prospective Health and Human Services Secretary can't manage this, but we wouldn't want your babysitter putting one over on us.