Why Skipping Prenatal Vitamins Isn't a Good Idea
Delicious Pineapple Upside-Down Muffins
Is Adele Taking a Break From Music?
Michelle Obama's Tips for Getting Kids to Eat Healthy
Take Action: Stand Up Against Weight Bullying
Things Your Son Can Teach You About Men
Past 'Sports Illustrated' Covergirls (PHOTOS)
Are Egg Donors Really 'Mothers'?
Your Lipstick Could Be Bad for Your Health
Jennifer Aniston Slams Brad Pitt
Justin Bieber's Touching Valentine's Date (VIDEO)
Valentine's Love Advice ... From a Psychic
Kate Winslet's Most Impressive Role Yet
15 Worst Valentine's Day Gifts 
10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Having Kids
Photo by paganpiratemama
My husband and I are the most unceremonious people you'd ever meet. Forget about exchanging Christmas and birthday gifts -- we've even forgotten our own and each other's birthdays on occasion (they are literally one day apart!!) -- and simply shrugged it off.
So you probably aren't surprised to learn that we won't be going out for Valentine's Day either. If I'm lucky, the kids will go to bed at a decent hour and I may get a 10-minute shoulder massage before we both collapse.
Even if we wanted to brave the restaurants, we probably wouldn't be able to find a sitter at this late notice -- especially one with a boy friend who's already making his own plans.
So if you and your SO are planning to go out for V Day, the time to book your sitter is now. Warning: You may have to come up with an extra-attractive monetary
offer to convince her to bag her romantic dinner to wash and feed your crazy toddlers instead.
The folks at sittercity.com suggest paying your sitter an extra $5 to $10 on Valentine's Day and other special holidays. Of course, this is flexible based on your sitter's age, experience, area, and how many children you have. They've got a great rate calculator so you can find out what other parents are paying.
And overnight rates are completely different -- the site has a formula for determining that, too.
Do you pay your sitter more on special holidays? What is his or her going rate?
Comments (8)
My SD and her 3 yr old live with us so I have a free babysitter. But I used to charge extra on holidays like Valentines day and New Years Eve when I was a babysitter.
My husband and I rather have a family day so we make plans to do something as a family. It doesn't matter if it is for Valentine's Day or even our anniversary, we will make a day trip to some place fun and enjoy being together as a family. To us, that is more fun than and we always have the evening after our daughter is in bed to snuggle up and watch a movie or something.
Nope...I'm right there with you. We won't go out and celebrate V-Day...we do it in our own home. In fact..the 9 years we have been together we have never once did anything for V-Day. I did already get my little monkies something special for V-Day and we'll probably bake cookies together, and then when my monkies are in bed...maybe I'll too snag a quick shoulder massage before passing out! Great post!
This is the first time since we have been married that we are doing something for Valentines Day. (After pulling aside the money to pay a sitter for 3 kids, I have quickly remembered why we don't go out any more.) But, my husband arranged a day tour and dinner cruise for us (we just got stationed in Germany) and we will not enjoy it if we take the kids (ages 12, 3 and 2). This is definately not something we normally do. Its costing me $100 just for daycare for the kids (and the provider is cutting me a deal!)
Grammy and PA = Best sitters ever!
I work with a large group of au pairs in the Los Angeles area. Of course, they provide childcare & babysitting services. Your idea sparked this thought. Why not give them instead of extra cash a gift of bubble bath & body lotion, or a gift certificate for a "day at a spa". They would love to have a day of pampering after working up to 45 hours per week.
Or order pizza to be delivered for the au pair & the kids & rent a video for them to watch while you are out for the evening.
I'll be working in the floral department till at least 6- could be later. Baby daddy and I are going out to eat 9my present to him). My oldest two are being picked up by grandma and grandpa, so it will jus be him my 10 month old and, I. :)