You know you’re expected to tip waiters, bartenders and cab drivers, but what about the other people who make your life a little easier? Do you tip a babysitter? They, after all, make your life run more smoothly than almost anyone! Don’t they deserve a little extra now and then?
Although tipping your sitter is not required, Daniel Post Senning, author and spokesperson for the Emily Post Institute, etiquette expert Lynda Margaret and Mary Fischer, blogger and mom behind the Mommyologist, provide six instances when you may want to add on something additional.
1. Going above and beyond
All sitters are not created equal. Some interact and entertain the kids while others do all of that and more. If your babysitter does more than what is expected (picks up the house, folds laundry, takes the kids to ballet class, deals with unusually rambunctious kids, etc.), it’s a good idea to add more to them pay.
“I typically give her an extra hour’s pay [when she goes above and beyond],” says Fischer. “I want her to know how much we value her, and also because I want to be at the top of her list should she receive requests to babysit from other families on the same night as us.”
2. Dealing with an unexpected situation
If something happens that is beyond your control, and the sitter steps up to the plate, a tip is a good way to say thank you. For example, if you come home late, the power goes out or your child gets sick all over your sitter, a few extra dollars might be warranted.
3. Stepping up last minute
It can be extremely difficult to find a good sitter under normal circumstances. When there’s an emergency and you need one on a whim, it’s good to have a reliable resource. According to Margaret, “If your babysitter has to come on short notice, a tip of up to 20% is a sufficient amount.”
“If your babysitter has to come on short notice, a tip of up to 20% is a sufficient amount.”
— LYNDA MARGARET, ETIQUETTE EXPERT
4. Building a relationship
“A gratuity is appropriate in any situation in which you want to express gratitude,” shares Post Senning. “It is a good way to build a relationship with someone so that they will want to sit for you next time you need them.”
“A gratuity is appropriate in any situation in which you want to express gratitude. It is a good way to build a relationship with someone so that they will want to sit for you next time you need them.”
— DANIEL POST SENNING, SPOKESPERSON FOR EMILY POST INSTITUTE
If you’re working with a new sitter who is particularly good and you want to keep them, a tip may be a good way to show you appreciate their expertise and rapport with your children. Margaret recommends rounding up the amount you owe. For example, if her total fee for the night is $36, round it up to $40.
5. Caring for a large group of children
Babysitters should be told (asked) in advance if they’ll be watching a large group of children. If your kids’ cousins, friends or neighbors are going to be at your house, it’s common practice to add extra to the hourly rate. (Use Care.com’s babysitting rates calculator to determine a rate for your area and the number of children.)
Discuss the rates beforehand, or add a little extra to the payment at the end of the night. If more than five kids will be present, consider hiring an additional babysitter to make sure that everyone is properly supervised.
6. Babysitting during the holidays
If you have a sitter who works for you regularly, it’s common to give a tip during the holidays — an average night’s pay is common. Learn more by reading our Holiday Tipping Guide.
If your sitter is also caring for your kids on or around a holiday (like Christmas or New Year’s Eve), you should pay extra for the prime time slot.
Although it isn’t necessarily “normal” to tip your babysitter, it is an excellent way to show how much you appreciate them. Post Senning sums it up best: “You should tip anyone who performs a service for you. You tip the person who does your hair, it makes sense that you would tip the person who watches your children.”
