my daughter babysitting...

funky-footprints

We pay £5 an hour, but if home after midnight we normally throw in another £5. THey get to surf the net and watch tv. I try to get the kids ready for bed before we go out, but the kids adore our babysitter and they know if they play her up then there will be trouble in the morning. £10 tops is bad !!! I just wouldnt let your daughter go there again !!!!!!

Kelinik

I sat for three different families in my teens, kids of various numbers and ages but I always got around £4 an hour - this was 10 yrs ago!!!

pinkparrott

Hi we live in yorkshire and pay my 2 step daughters what works out at about £3 an hour each when they baby sit together, but a few of my others friends pay between £4/ £5 an hour, but most of them only have 1 or 2 kids, I'll ask my 2 fiends who have 4 kids and five kids what they pay!!

gingercordial

She will have learned a valuable lesson about negotiating in advance! Will be important later in life in agreeing minicab fares, salary discussions etc etc - you may end up with a great businesswoman on your hands!

I would say £3 per hour is reasonable for just sitting in front of the TV, or at least £5 per hour if the children need putting to bed etc. Penalties for being late! And a walk or lift (if parents not drinking) or taxi home to be provided.

sarahlouise210

I have to admit that when I was a teenager I would babysit for nothing..just to get some peace and quiet and privacy as our house was a bit manic! I think I used to get a few pound...but I cant be sure. I loved doing it ..loved playing house. I know teenagers are different now ..my DD wants to babysit maybe next year ...and I am sure she will want about £4 an hour..plus goodies to eat!

misspenny

i used to get £15-20 to look after 1 baby occasionly his older brother but the older child often went to stay at his grannies on a saturday so didnt lok after him every week and had paid taxi home. once got £40 for doing new years eve and a bottle of wine and was allowed 1 or 2 mates to come over to keep me company that night. they were lovely people

Welshlassie

I did a favour for my SIL a few years ago when she wasn't well enough to do one of her usual baby sitting jobs (she's a qualified nursery nurse). The little girl was 3, in bed when I got there at 7pm and the mother was home by 11, I got £20. I didn't even see the child. I do have some experience with children and am first aid trained, but I thought that more than enough. I was studying for professional exams at the time so was ideal to get some study done without any interuptions.

I was able to drive at the time and got myself there and back.

morlandbanks

I'd be tempted to phone them and say something like 'My daughter is too polite to mention it, but you handed her a £10 note instead of a £20.'
If they say they only meant to give her £10, you'll know they're rotten. Tell them she won't be doing it again. If it were me, I'd die from embarrasment and come straight round with a tenner!
Either way, if she sits for them again, they'll know they're expected to give her a decent amount.
I don't think a 16 year old should expect to be paid the same as an agency sitter - for obvious reasons, but she shouldn't put up with exploitation either!! They're taking the mickey!!
I used to get paid peanuts for sitting when I was younger. My parents didn't give a stuff - I think they were just happy I was out babysitting instead of street-raking with my mates!! Wish I'd had someone to stand up for me!

sara1980

i have 3 kids 9, 6 & 2, when we go out the 2 older ones are awake but in bed & the youngest is always asleep.
We go out at about 8.30/9 pm & get back by 1/1.30 pm.
i always pay £20.
on the odd occasion we may go out into Liverpool, we go at 8 and get back by 3.30 at the VERY latest & will pay £30/£35.
when OH has had too much to drink he will always give extra aswell.
I don't set an amount in advance, the girls who sit for me have never asked either, i always make sure I have the 'baysitting fees' set aside incase we spend too much whilst out !!!
they are always welcome to bring friends/partners with them, as i know how boring it is sitting on your own, they have full access to TV, PC, laptop, whatever food & drink they want, beer if there is any in the fridge, and a taxi or walked home.

i think what i pay them is pretty reasonable, one girl has even told her mum we give her too much !!!

squashy

I used to babysit for my auntie and get £15 PER WEEK for 4 nights, 4pm-10pm, including making our tea, walking the dog, putting the little girl to bed and clearing up. All agreed by my mum! If I did a weekends babysitting I would get around £5 for the evening maybe 8pm-1am, even when she had another baby and it needed a bottle making up and giving.

This was 10 years or so ago though. But even at the time I felt hard done by! Bottom line was I did it as £5 was better than nothing.

If it was my DD babysitting I would make sure I stuck up for her though by helping to negotiate a fair rate.