Rate help for younger babysitters
I’m familiar with the going rate for college and adult babysitters (25-35$/hr) but unsure about fair rates for young teens.
We have a couple of mommy’s helpers that come and play with my toddler or baby, run the vacuum, or go on outings with us. I pay them $8 an hour, make sure they get paid breaks, and make a point of not asking too much of them. They’re thrilled with the rates at they are only 13, and are learning through the experience. This summer we will increase their rate to $9 an hour.
We also have a 15 year old babysitter that we only recently decided to leave alone with the baby and toddler, with our 10 year old as a heavy (paid) assist. She charged $10 an hour last time she babysat for us, but I was going to increase her rate now that she was the primary responsible person. Hours before she babysat she let me know she now charges $20 an hour. I said that was fine, and we paid her accordingly.
Here is my conundrum- we love her. Our kids love her. She is truly wonderful. BUT $20 an hour feels like a lot for a 15 year old. I was planning to increase it to $15ish, and in my mind that feels like a more fair rate, but I also realize I may be wrong. I do think that she is capable, but I don’t feel comfortable leaving her without my oldest as support due to how young my infant and toddler are, but maybe that is also a “me” problem?
I greatly value our childcare providers and want feedback on all of it- is the mommy helper rate fair? What is a fair babysitter rate for a 15 year old? And if her rate is truly too high, is it acceptable to approach her before our next date to ask if she would accept less?
Edited to add that I live in Charlotte NC, which I believe is upper middle range COL.