Sitter Refuses 20-Hour Sitting Gig After Being Told They’d Only Be Paid For Awake Time

If you’re an aunt or uncle, you might love spending time with your niblings. You can spend the entire day building spectacular Lego creations, eating ice cream and running around the playground pretending to be a monkey. But it’s no secret that hanging out with kids is exhausting. And unless you’ve volunteered to babysit free of charge, it’s certainly a job that deserves compensation.

One sitter reached out to Reddit for advice after being asked to work an overnight shift while only getting paid for the hours when the child was awake. Below, you’ll find all of the details, as well as some of the replies invested readers shared.

Babysitting may be fun, but it’s still a job that deserves proper compensation

Young nanny playing on the floor with baby in casual home setting, highlighting nanny work and childcare concepts.

Image credits: EyeEm / freepik (not the actual photo)

So when a mother offered to pay this sitter for less than half of the hours that they would be working, they immediately wondered if that was normal

Nanny asked to work 20 hours overnight but offered pay for only 8 hours of childcare and overnight sitting.

Nanny asked to work 20 hours overnight but offered pay for only 8, highlighting unfair childcare compensation issues.

Nanny asked to work 20 hours overnight but offered pay for only 8 hours in childcare work dispute.

Two women having a serious discussion over coffee indoors, illustrating a nanny asked to work overnight for limited pay.

Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

Text discussing a nanny's concern about working 20 hours overnight but being paid for only 8 hours.

Text excerpt discussing fairness of payment for a nanny asked to work 20 hours overnight with pay for 8 hours only.

Young woman looking stressed and tired sitting on a couch representing nanny asked to work overnight hours with limited pay offer

Image credits: olganosova / freepik (not the actual photo

Later, the babysitter shared additional details about their situation

Text post about a nanny seeking feedback from childcare providers on overnight work pay and policies.

Nanny shocked after being asked to work 20 hours overnight but offered pay for only 8 hours of work.

Text about nanny needing to care for baby and two dogs, highlighting extra responsibilities in overnight work request.

Image credits: hexia777

Childcare workers should be fairly compensated for their labor

Working in childcare is often taken less seriously than it should be. Because parents are obligated to take care of their children for free, they often assume that others should be willing to do the same without proper compensation. But considering that a parent’s life revolves around their little ones, one would think that they would be willing to do everything in their power to ensure that they’re in capable, qualified hands for every moment of every day.

According to Parents.com, the average hourly rate for a babysitter in the United States in 2024 was $23.61 for one kid and $26.57 for two children. However, there are various factors that determine exactly how much a sitter will cost, including where the family lives, the babysitter’s level of experience and what exactly they’ll be responsible for while babysitting.

For example, if the child has special needs or the babysitter will need to take them out on excursions, the hourly rate may be higher than usual. And, of course, if the parents want their sitter to stay overnight, that might rack up the price as well.

Before hiring an overnight sitter, Smart Sitting recommends considering several factors. First, parents should look for an experienced babysitter who is qualified to administer CPR in an emergency and who has first aid training. It’s a good idea to make sure the children are comfortable with the sitter before committing to an overnight shift as well.

Parents must also be clear about precisely what will be expected of the sitter while they’re watching the kiddos. Will they have to make dinner? Will they need to help with homework? Do they have to give the kids baths? Let them know exactly what their duties will be, as well as when you’ll be home.

Nanny caring for baby indoors, gently wiping the child's face while sitting next to tissues on a wooden surface.

Image credits: senivpetro / freepik (not the actual photo)

Parents and sitters can work together to find an appropriate rate that satisfies everyone

Now, when it comes to the rate for an overnight sitter, it’s really up to the parents and babysitter to agree on an appropriate price. Smart Sitting notes that some families may agree to pay the hourly rate for some hours and a lower rate while the sitter and children are asleep. Meanwhile, others may agree on a blanket overnight rate that will compensate for any time the children or sitter may be awake during the night.

However, rates can vary widely depending on the age of the children, exactly how many hours the sitter will be with them and more. SideHustles.com notes that hourly rates for overnight babysitting may range from $5-$45, with an additional $1-$5 being tacked on per each additional child. And an overnight flat fee may range from $80-$300. 

It’s also important for parents to consider additional fees that the babysitter may incur during the night. These might include transportation costs, the cost of dinner and/or breakfast and any entertainment that they’ll be expected to provide for the children. 

At the end of the day, everyone deserves to be paid fairly for their labor, including those working in childcare. Kids are precious and deserve the absolute best care in the world, so parents should be willing to pay for qualified, reliable sitters.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation in the comments below, pandas. Do you think this babysitter made the right choice by declining to take this job? Feel free to weigh in, and then, you can find another Bored Panda article discussing similar themes right here.   

Readers were appalled by the mother’s suggestion, and many encouraged the sitter to only accept jobs where they’re paid well

Nanny disputes pay for overnight hours, discussing compensation concerns and challenges of working extended overnight shifts.

Nanny asked to work 20 hours overnight but offered pay for only 8 hours in a childcare dispute discussion.

Screenshot of a comment discussing the unfair pay offered to a nanny for overnight care hours, focusing on childcare responsibility.

Comment discussing nanny overnight work hours and the importance of being paid for all hours worked, not just sleep time.

Comment explaining nanny fees for overnight work, detailing responsibilities like feeding, changing, and soothing toddlers.

Text excerpt about nanny discussing rates for overnight work, highlighting pay offered for fewer hours than worked.

Comment from an online forum discussing a nanny working overnight and concerns about pay for hours worked.

Comment discussing fair compensation for a nanny asked to work overnight hours without full pay.

Comment about nanny working overnight, comparing caregiving duties and pay for varying hours during the night shift.

Commenter explaining why a nanny asked to work 20 hours overnight should be paid for the entire time, not just 8 hours.

Comment about nanny pay dispute, discussing work hours and fair payment for overnight shifts.

Comment about nanny’s overnight work hours and pay rates for newborn care discussed in an online forum.

Comment about overnight nanny work and unfair pay, highlighting discrepancy in hours worked versus paid hours.

Comment discussing nanny overnight work and pay, highlighting discrepancy between hours worked and hourly rate compensation.

Comment from single mum about hiring a night nanny who worked overnight with fair pay and appreciation.

Comment supporting fair pay for nanny work, emphasizing responsibility and full compensation for overnight hours.

Comment on nanny pay concerns, discussing expectations for overnight hours and fair compensation rates.

Comment on nanny pay fairness explaining overnight work hours and the need to be compensated fairly for childcare services.

Comment about nanny pay dispute, mentioning flat fee and refusal to charge full overnight hours.

Comment discussing hourly pay rates for overnight nanny shifts and challenges of babysitting a baby through the night

Comment about nanny work during sleep hours, emphasizing responsibility and charging for sleep hours with base overnight pay only.

Comment from former nanny discussing overnight work hours and fair pay for being alert and attentive while on duty.

Comment about a nanny being asked to work 20 overnight hours but offered pay for only 8 hours.

Comment discussing unfair pay issues for overnight nanny work and the need for proper compensation for long hours.

Comment about nanny asked to work 20 hours overnight but offered pay for only 8, highlighting unfair treatment.

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