Berkeley Parents Network: Family Members as Childcare Providers

Berkeley Parents Network

Family Members as Childcare Providers

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > Childcare > Family Members as Childcare Providers

How much should I pay mother-in-law for afterschool childcare?

How much should I pay mother-in-law for afterschool childcare?

Oct 2005

I'm wondering about how much we pay(should pay) my mother-in- law for child care. She picks my son up after school and is with him until either my husband or I (usually me) gets home. Approx 3-4 hrs/day M-F. Plus occassional evening babysitting. We pay $350 cash; car gas $90/month(has our gas card); car insurance $85/month. She is 80 and on a fixed income. The last 4 years we have been supplementing her rent/expenses because her live in adult daughter has not paid half the $1600+/mo rent. We have paid close to $2000/yr which has caused some strife in my household. I'm tring to maintain a budget but am up against a spendaholic partner and a large credit card debt (that is a topic for another time) So, does grandma get enough? After school on site dayare is $4.50/hr. anon

If you take the after care hourly rate x 4 hours per day, 5 days per week, x 50 weeks per year, you get $4,500. So if you are paying $2,000 per year (for whatever the reason) and your kids are being looked after by Grandma, I think you are getting a great deal. Might not be worth the stress but 1/2 price is 1/2 price and when you are budgeting, that may make it better!! Good luck. DiAnn

Our neighbor has her mom nanny for her two kids as well. She is on a very fixed income as well, and they pay her $10/hour, and does not pay for gas or car insurance. Your pay/perks sound more than generous. Mary

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