I have no car right now to get out and go work like I'd like to, so I figure, since I'm home, and I like kids, why not babysit? I have plenty of space, and childproofing isn't all that hard. My concern is in the yard. My yard is not enclosed, but we also don't have a lot of traffic. The kid(s) would be monitored at all times, so it's not like I'd LET them wander into the road or anything. However, I haven't professionally babysit since I was a kid and charged anywhere between $2 and $5 an hour (payed for nearly everything myself from about age 13 on this way). Keeping in mind that I live rurally (and yes, other people out here do babysit, so I know people WILL drive their kids out here if they really need a sitter), and that the cost of living is less where I am, what would be a proper price to charge? Do I charge more if they have to stay overnight? If I have to provide meals? How do I charge so that I get customers, and at the same time I am also making some money? I'd babysit 24 hours a day just about any day of the week. I think my flexibility makes me a better choice, especially for parents that work on the overnight shift. Any ideas? Or ideas on what I can do to keep kids entertained, BESIDES a television? Cause babysitting or not, I'd STILL need to homeschool my kids, work on my own schoolwork, take care of my animals, and clean my house. Come February I'll be done with my own degree and school, and from there I will have to decide whether I want to start working towards my Bachelor's degree or not. So, after admitting that I haven't really babysit in about 17 years (at least, not professionally or long term), what I do I need to do in order to come into the 21st century? Lol!
