4 answers

Advice on Price for Week of 24/7 Care of 2-Year-old

One of my dearest friends is going out of town for a week next spring and I will be keeping her (then) 2-year-old. Unfortunately, we can't agree on how much she should pay me. Her daughter is incredibly precious and I don't anticipate any problems other than typical terrible 2-ness (assuming she's into that). My children will be 5 and 8 and think toddlers are the best thing ever, so they should be very helpful. BTW, I would do it for nothing or next-to-nothing, but my friend wants to pay me A LOT. Fortunately, this disagreement is not the other way around, with my wanting more than she wants to pay! :) What do you think my friend should pay me?

What can I do next?

More Answers

How about taking no pay at all? This is your friend. As long as she leaves you with plenty of the things the child will need like perhaps diapers or special food, there really is no need to charge her. If she insists, just take whatever she offers.

Remember she is your friend. Be reasonable. Is it about the money? Or about helping a friend? Its just something else to think about

From someone who has watched children while their parents went out of town, I was usually paid $100 a day for each day they were gone. Sometimes, they would give a little extra spending money if we wanted to go out to eat or do a small activity, but I didn't have children of my own either, and there was only one time that one of the children were under 2. Hope that helps!

Since she is a friend, I would only take what is necessary. Maybe a little extra for food or if you would need to buy more diapers or something like that. That's what friends are for :)

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