National Babysitter Day is a holiday observed annually on May 8th that encourages everyone to show their babysitter some appreciation. Every day, babysitters across the country allow parents to take a break from their children and perhaps catch a show, movie, or even go out to dinner.

It’s not always easy for a parent to find a babysitter they feel comfortable enough to leave their children with, so when they do, they should definitely show them some appreciation. This day provides the perfect excuse to give their babysitter a bonus, a gift card, or some other form of appreciation.

The History of National Babysitter’s Day

This holiday was founded in 2003 by Safety Whys—an organization that is a babysitter training program for youth ages 11-17 in Helotes, Texas. After its creation, other people around the country also began to celebrate it, and it has now become a nationwide holiday.

Amazing Facts About Babysitters

Below are some fascinating facts that we’ve learned about babysitters and nannies as we searched the internet for information about National Babysitter Day. We think the following facts about babysitters will prove useful to just about anybody who takes the time to read them.

• The national average hourly rate for a babysitter is $14 for one child.
• The national average hourly rate for a babysitter is $16 for two children.
• Less than 40% of babysitters are first-aid certified or know CPR.
• Over half of families say they have difficulty finding a babysitter when they need one.
• The most expensive cities for babysitters are San Francisco and San Jose.
• The least expensive cities for babysitters are Grand Rapids and Akron.

Observing National Babysitter’s Day

On this day, people can take the time to show their babysitter a little bit of appreciation. This can be something as simple as a thank you, or it can be something as elaborate as giving the babysitter a bonus. People can also use the hashtag #NationalBabysittersDay to give a shout-out to all babysitters on the internet.