Amy shared that babysitting rates are rising quickly and warned that parents should be prepared, especially those with newborns.
She explained that the conversation came up after a friend told her that her 19-year-old daughter, who is in college, charges $30 an hour to babysit. That number surprised everyone, including Bobby, who said he had no frame of reference for what babysitting typically costs. Bobby reacted saying $30 an hour felt high, especially for one child, though he also joked that he would pay anything to make sure his child was safe. He questioned whether that rate made sense and compared it to what teachers earn per hour. Amy said she researched the topic after hearing the $30 figure. According to her findings, the average babysitting rate is around $26 an hour for one child and close to $30 an hour for two children, depending on location. She noted that rates are higher in places like California and lower in cities such as San Antonio. She also pointed out that pay should vary depending on experience, such as whether a sitter has CPR training or professional childcare experience. Amy added that when teacher salaries are broken down hourly, they average just over $27 an hour, which led to discussion about how that compares to babysitting rates.
Amy explained the differences between babysitters, nannies, and live-in caregivers. Nannies typically make between $19 and $26 an hour and that schedules and time off depend on contracts. She also brought up au pairs, explaining they are caregivers from other countries who live with families and are hired legally through agencies. Amy said some families choose au pairs because they can be more affordable when factoring in housing and availability. Bobby admitted he wasn’t familiar with the term “au pair” and questioned how the arrangement works. Amy explained that au pairs often have fewer local connections and are more available to help with childcare. Eddie added perspective as a parent, especially when discussing newborns, noting that parents are often hesitant to leave very young babies or travel with them due to health concerns.
The conversation shifted to traveling with babies, with Eddie explaining that car travel is usually easier than flying, especially with very young children. Amy agreed that many parents prefer staying home during the early months, largely out of caution and uncertainty. Bobby talked about wanting to raise his child with resilience, joking about making life intentionally difficult so the baby grows up tough. Eddie and Amy acknowledged that many parents struggle with balancing how they were raised versus how they want to raise their own children. Amy pointed out that Bobby’s wife Caitlin brings stability from her upbringing, which can help create balance between the two of them.
The discussion eventually circled back to babysitting costs. All three agreed that $30 an hour feels like a lot of money. Bobby joked that it might be cheaper to travel somewhere with lower rates, like San Antonio, and make a trip out of it instead.