'Nobody in their right mind would take this job': Ad for ultra-cheap overnight babysitter sparks debate

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Dec 11, 2022 3:00 PM EST

Finding a babysitter for your children is no easy feat. This person reportedly took to Craigslist to post their job description. Their ideal sitter, as they describe, would be someone who can work Sundays through Fridays from 6PM to 7AM. So basically, they need someone to sleep there every night for about 13 hours, and work every day but Saturday. While this person won't live with the family, the way an au pair would, there is apparently the possibility of a live-in position. Aside from the wacky schedule (where are they going to sleep on Saturdays??) there's a small issue of, um, the pay. It barely pays anything. This person wants their children to be babysat on a stipend, not even an actual set wage!

People in the comments reacted with surprise, but some also made great points about parenthood and properly paying your employees. Check out this drama for yourself by scrolling below. And then, click here to discover 30 of the stupidest questions that ever crossed someone's mind. 

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  • 01
    Rectangle - 'This actually doesn't sound unreasonable at all. What am I missing?'
    via Kara Eads on Unsplash
  • 02

    Here's the job description. See if you can spot what has everybody up in arms!

    Product - reply prev X next Duties: -Bath bedtime routine Overnight babysitting Looking for an overnight babysitter sun-fri 6pm-7am can sleep if needed. Must love children clean background d (N screen references. This is a position that pays a monthly stipend of 700. Long term position possible live in Babysitter in the future with pay increase. bo -Morning routine -Tend to any nighttime needs.
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 03

    Commenters weighed in, and were surprisingly divided on the big question of, "Would you actually accept this job, knowing the salary and requirements."

    Font - +1 - 15 hr. ago It's especially the "can sleep if needed" Just2Browse04
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 04
    Font - Competitive Dog7392 14 hr. ago we don't expect u to sleep during ur 13 hr shift, but i mean, if u have to u can -the person who posted this on craigslist probably
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 05
    Human body - Penguin_Scout · 2 hr. ago That's what caught my eye! "I suppose if you absolutely must sleep you can. But really you should stay awake all night.”
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 06

    This is a good point. It seems like the person wouldn't be living there, though.

    Human body - ComfortableZebra2412 16 hr. ago If you got to live there for free it would be an ok thing just to have someone home for a kid over night. Not enough if room and board not included
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 07
    Font - lc_2005 13 hr. ago This is what I was thinking; if it comes with room and board and the $700, I would have totally done that when I was in college.
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 08
    Font - coral MrTase 12 hr. ago Sounds like CB could reasonably look into getting an au pair, one website says a $200pw stipend so not far off what they're offering. Yeah when I was in undergrad I probably would have done something like this.
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 09

    The ad doesn't even specify the ages of the kids or even how many the family has.

    Smile - Foreign_Wishbone5865 1.6 hr. ago Honestly as a mother of four kids the bedtime and morning routine are the hardest parts of parenting. Doing that daily is basically being a second parent.
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 10
    Font - ItsCharlie Day 11 hr. ago They say can sleep in ad, I'm assuming something potentially. Also potential for live in position amd pay increase. Sounds like a test job.. not really choosing beggar in my opinion
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 11

    But then, people started doing the math...

    Mammal - luhvxr +2. 14 hr. ago that is literally less than minimum wage
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 12

    And this is really, really minimum wage for that much time spent working.

    Organism - DotAccomplished5484 WOW, that's $2.50 an hour!!! Less deductions for food, water, heat and electricity. +2 16 hr. ago
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 13
    Font - Used_Grocery_9048 15 hr. ago Has to work 4 hours to just afford the public transport commute to and from work daily € 51 € Reply Share Continue this thread → PandoraHere OP. 16 hr. ago $2.01 to be exact. This person is outta their mind lol
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 14
    Human body - wheresmychin +2. 14 hr. ago "Hey, it may be thirteen hour shifts fives times a week overnight for $2 bucks an hour, but hey, you get Mondays off!"
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 15
    Font - 12 hr. ago EggsAndMilquetoast Sun-Fri is 6 days a week. The parents are generously offering Saturday off. € 48 € Reply Share Continue this thread → ... EggsAndMilquetoast • 16 hr. ago 6 days a week, 13 hours a day to raise your kids wit out the help of pharmaceuticals? Who wouldn't want to do that for a little over $2 an hour and no benefits other than "maybe we'll let you live here to save on rent someday?"
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 16
    Font - mecury_lab 13 hr. ago Au Pairs work 45 hours per week and get paid $195.75. There are about 7,500 working in the US at any moment.
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 17

    Other people were more sympathetic to the poster, like this one, who speculates that maybe the poster is desperate or inexperienced and really needs help with childcare.

    Font - Guerrilla Glue 1 hr. ago Am I the only one who reads this as, "I work the night shift and need someone home with my kids so they're not alone in the house. Please help them get ready for bed and get up in the morning. You can sleep if you want, just be available to help the kids if they need you during the night. I'll pay you $700/mo to sleep at my house so my kids aren't alone." This actually doesn't sound unreasonable at all. What am I missing?
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 18
    Font - IndividualCommittee8 1 hr. ago Calculators are this person's worst enemy
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 19
    Cheezburger Image 9718119424
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 20
    Cheezburger Image 9718119936
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 21
    Cheezburger Image 9718119680
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 22
    Cheezburger Image 9718120192
    via r/ChoosingBeggars
  • 23

    This person did the entire math and...yeah that $$$ is not going to get you far!

    Cheezburger Image 9718120448
    via r/ChoosingBeggars

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