Mommy Services

Remember the 80s sitcom Growing Pains? Well there was one episode where the teenage son, Mike, wanted to live on his own as an adult. So to give Mike a taste of what it would be like his parents started charging him for rent and meals and laundry, etc. If I’m not mistaken this also happened with Theo on an episode of The Cosby Show and an episode of Family Ties as well. No scratch that, not Family Ties. I’m pretty sure Alex had more money than his parents so it never would’ve been an issue. But I digress.

At the time I remember thinking those episodes were silly and funny. But now, as a parent myself, I can’t help but look back on those episodes. And now I’m wondering at what age I can start charging my kids for all that I do. Heck, maybe even start charging my husband for my cleaning and cooking services.

Well, lucky for me the folks at MSN Money and Investopedia have worked the numbers so I have a legitimate estimate to base my future invoices on. You see they took the time to work out what a “homemaker” would be making if she/he were paid for their services. Granted this does not take into account services that do not have monetary value. Though I am currently trying to figure out the price tag for those things (bedtime stories, hugs, kisses on booboos and endless games of Crazy 8s….).

According to their study they found the following to be what a homemaker would be making if she or he were paid for hers or his services:

• Private chef: Total cost for services: $1,005 per five-day workweek x 52 weeks = $52,260 per year.
• House cleaner: Total cost for services: $118 per week X 52 weeks = $6,136 per year.
• Child care: Total cost for services: $600 a week plus perks/benefits x 52 weeks = $31,200 per year.
• Driver: Total cost for services: $1,000 per year + [(estimated miles driven 8,000 miles / 50 mph) x 60 minutes/hour x 33 cents per minute] = $4,168 total per year.
• Laundry service: Total cost for services: 90 cents per pound x 4 pounds of clothes per day x 5 days per week x 52 weeks = $936 total per year.
• Lawn maintenance: Total cost for services: $30 per week x 52 weeks = $1,560 total per year.

The bottom line: Total for a year of all services is: $52,260 + $6,137 + $31,200 + $4,168 + $936 + $1,560 = $96,261 per year.

Nothing makes you feel more overworked than realizing your doing a $96,261 a year job for… free. I wonder what my husband would say if I sent him an invoice? I’ll even take off the Lawn Service.

About the author:
Meghan H. Harvey

Meghan is a mom of two living in the beautiful San Francisco bay area. In between running around with her 7-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter, she writes, blogs, eats lots of chocolate, and drinks lots of coffee. You can find more of her highly caffeinated and chocolate tinged musings at Meg's Idle Chatter or the Silicon Valley Moms blog. You can also find her hiding from any domestic duties on Twitter as @meghan1018.

Recent articles by: Meghan H.

• Parenting and the Milk Carton Generation
• Community Conversation - Six Year Old Arrested for Kicking Principal
• This Just In: Sexual Education Helps Lower Teen Pregnancy

View all articles by Meghan H.