How Much Should You Pay the Babysitter? 5 Mom Tips

Together with

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hello Mommy dearest! It's Wednesday, or as they call it, Hump Day! Here's your much-needed distraction.

Today’s Mommy scoop:

• Nailing babysitter pay

• Travel hacks from real moms

• Tangy Tortellini Pasta Salad

• DIY project to spark your kiddo's curiosity

Self-care isn’t selfish, find your calm in the mommy storm.

Mom’s Field Guide

Babysitter Pay: Simple Steps to Get it Right

Stumped about what to pay your babysitter?

Let's clear the confusion with some simple guidelines, and make babysitter pay one less thing for busy moms to worry about!

Understanding Today's Babysitter Costs

Childcare isn't cheap - and it's getting pricier.

In 2023, families are typically paying babysitters around $20.57 an hour for one child, and $23.25 an hour for two.

That's an 11% increase from the year before!

Location, Location, Location

Where you live can really affect what you pay.

Parents in cities like San Francisco might be paying double compared to those in places like Oklahoma City.

Experience Counts

The more experienced a babysitter, the more they're likely to charge.

But that extra cost can give you peace of mind that your kids are well taken care of.

Number of Kids Matters

It's no secret that more kids mean more work.

This means if you have more than one child, you should be prepared to pay your babysitter more.

Time of Day and Regularity of Job

• Daytime or overnight: You might pay your sitter differently for daytime and overnight care. For an overnight job, you might negotiate a flat rate or a reduced rate, but make sure it's fair for the hours they'll be working.

• Regular or occasional: The more regular the job, the less you might pay per hour. Be ready to pay more for last-minute or holiday babysitting.

Takeaway

Deciding on the right babysitter pay involves considering factors like where you live, your sitter's experience, the number of kids they'll watch, and the timing and regularity of the job.

And remember, fair pay is key to finding a sitter who's a good fit for your family!

Keep reading here.

Together with Betterhelp

Put yourself first this summer, with therapy.

This is the summer of “Mommy Care”.

BetterHelp’s network of over 32,000 licensed therapists can provide a refreshing escape from life's pressures and challenges, so you can have the best summer ever!

Getting started is easy: take the quiz and get matched to a therapist in as little as 48 hours.

Schedule your first session via: video, phone, or live chat.

Mom Hack

Carry-on items when traveling with a 1-year-old

Mom Hack

Traveling with a one-year-old? Here are a few essentials:

• Liquid bubbler for distraction

• Lightweight foldable busy board

• Reusable stickers or masking tape

• Pop tubes

• Snack cups

• Spinner tray

• Disposable bibs to save you from laundry

• Leak-proof straw cup for hydration.

Good luck! 😁 

Mom’s Menu

Tangy Tortellini Pasta Salad

Ready to jazz up your meal routine with a refreshing and oh-so-tasty dish?

Our Tangy Tortellini Pasta Salad is a delight, brimming with cheesy pasta, fresh veggies, crispy bacon, savory chicken, and a delightful surprise – sweet mandarin oranges, all tossed in a mouth-watering homemade dressing.

Ingredients: 

For the Salad:

• 1 lb refrigerated tortellini

• 6 slices of bacon

• 2 large chicken breasts

• 1 (15 oz) can mandarin oranges (in 100% juice)

• 6 oz bag baby spinach

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 medium cucumber, quartered

For the Dressing:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

• 1/4 cup avocado or olive oil

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp paprika

• 1/2 tsp oregano

Steps

1. Cook the Pasta: Prepare tortellini as per the package instructions. Don't overcook! Once done, drain and rinse with cold water.

2. Prepare the Chicken & Bacon: Season your chicken with salt and pepper. Cook both sides in a drizzled-olive-oil skillet till they're no longer pink. Once done, let them rest before cutting into bite-size cubes. In the same skillet, cook your bacon till crispy, cool it, then chop into small bits.

3. Prep Your Veggies & Fruits: Drain the mandarin oranges. Roughly chop the spinach, halve the cherry tomatoes, and quarter the cucumber.

4. Dressing Time: Boil sugar and vinegar in a small saucepan, whisking until the sugar dissolves. Then, take it off the heat and add in oil, salt, paprika, and oregano, whisking it well.

5. Toss it All Together: In a large serving bowl, combine tortellini, chicken, bacon, oranges, spinach, tomatoes, and cucumber. Pour the dressing over and gently stir until everything is coated.

Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving, and voila!

Your refreshing, tangy Tortellini Pasta Salad is ready to steal the show at any summer gathering or weekday dinner.

Wrap-up

Remember, you can always make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a quick meal.

Also, don't shy away from adding your own twists!

Use your favorite pasta or veggies, or even skip the meat for a delicious vegetarian version.

Because as they say, the kitchen is your playground.

Enjoy, mommies!

Keep reading here.

Together with Verb

No Sugar Crash, Just Long-lasting Energy

Energy for Mom's Non-stop Day

Verb energy bars are your pocket-sized, plant-based pick-me-up. Delicious, healthy energy for your busy day, without the sugar crash.

Daily DIY

Sensory Sorting

Combine sorting, color recognition, and sensory play into one activity.

Use two colors of buttons and a clear gel-filled bag for a unique educational experience.

The tutorial is here.

Mom’s Choice

This bath spout cover is a lifesaver, protecting little ones from accidental bumps during bath time.

I love it because of its universal fit and fun design, making bath time safer and more enjoyable.

Skip Hop Bath Spout Cover

Game

Parenting Quiz

What is a healthy screen time limit for children aged 2-5? (Answer below)

A) No screen time at all

B) Up to 30 minutes per day

C) Up to 1 hour per day

D) Up to 2 hours per day

E) Until they finish their Netflix binge.

Mom’s Meme 🤣

Answer

C) Up to 1 hour per day