Reader poll: 40% of L.A. Parents Pay Babysitters Over $16/hour

First a disclaimer -- this is an online poll, not a scientific survey, and the results are based on 55 votes. But still, the findings shock me! Of 55 respondents (as of today) to date, 21 of you pay above $16 an hour. Another 13 people pay $14 and $16, and eight said they plunk down $11 to $13 an hour. Seven parents pay $8 to $10 an hour, and five people hand their babysitter more than $20. I think I’m in the wrong business.

I got a few emails from parents saying that $16 and up is not an outrageous price for quality care. I agree that when it comes to your children, bargain hunting for care seems wrong. However, is it really reasonable that a parent should have to pay almost $50 above the actual meal to go grab dinner?