When parents begin their search for a babysitter, the initial inquiry often revolves around what the sitter charges. However, many inexperienced sitters hesitate to provide a clear answer, frequently responding with phrases like, “You can set the rate,” or, “Whatever you think is fair works for me.” While this may seem convenient for parents, it’s a lost chance for young sitters to learn the vital skill of asserting their worth.
Recently, a mother from North Carolina, named Mia Thompson, shared her thoughts in a compelling Facebook post as she looked for a summer babysitter. She discussed a recurring frustration she faces during salary negotiations. “My husband and I were chatting about babysitting rates, and I expressed my preference to ask sitters what they charge first,” she shared. “Typically, I find that they respond with, ‘Whatever you want to pay me is fine.’ NO. THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE.”
Mia elaborated on the importance of encouraging sitters to confidently state their rates and for parents to guide them in doing so. “Parents, empower your children, especially your daughters, to assert their worth by stating their rates. For instance, ‘I’d love to babysit your kids, and my fee is X per hour.’ It’s just that simple. Help them practice this statement.”
She continued, “It may seem trivial, but girls often face societal pressures that discourage them from advocating for themselves. Babysitting is often a young girl’s first job, and we need to equip them for success in future employment by teaching them to confidently ask for what they deserve.”
Can I get an agreement on that? Negotiating pay and ensuring you receive fair compensation can be challenging even for adults. At 30, I still grapple with asserting my desired salary. As a teenager, I certainly wouldn’t have had the confidence to specify my rate, but Mia is spot on: this needs to change.
Data from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research shows that women earn, on average, only 79 cents for every dollar earned by men, a gap that is even more pronounced for Black, Hispanic, Latina, and Native American women. While learning to negotiate pay won’t entirely eliminate the wage gap, it represents a crucial step toward empowering girls and women to advocate for themselves.
Babysitting provides teens with a chance to earn extra income while also serving as their initial exposure to working and managing personal finances. As Mia emphasized, we must prepare these young caregivers for success—not just in terms of fair pay for their work with children but also in developing the confidence to ask for their worth in the broader workforce.
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In summary, it’s essential for young babysitters to confidently state their rates and for parents to encourage this practice, helping them prepare for future negotiations and ensuring they are compensated fairly for their work.