Babysitting rates for 15 year old

Singlemummy_2

My son babysat for his little sister and I said I would pay him though didn’t say how much! 

When I was 15 I was just expected to do it for no payment for me but what are people paying their kids to babysit their siblings these days? 

strawb_shortcake

I wouldn't be paying my children to babysit, but it would be unfair to renege on what you've already agreed. 

My daughter gets paid £10 an hour when babysitting for a friend's 2 children.

theoretica

My elder sibling got paid a little for 'babysitting' me - I got the same for behaving and taking myself to bed on time meaning he didn't need to actually do anything other than be present.  As I remember it was at a rate about equal to an extra week's pocket money.

Singlemummy_2

annabanana82 said:

I wouldn't be paying my children to babysit, but it would be unfair to renege on what you've already agreed. 

My daughter gets paid £10 an hour when babysitting for a friend's 2 children.

He would probably get the money through the month anyway for not doing much (bus/train fares train to go out with mates), he has literally just asked me for bus fare so I said no you’ve just earned some so use that.

His dad gives him £5 a week pocket money which doesn’t really; I pay for his phone and Xbox subscription (which works out about £5 a week) 

He’s been trying to get a job but everywhere he has tried says minimum age 16, he sells his old clothes through Vinted to make some money so although I didn’t get paid for babysitting when 15 (and offer mine was overnight too) if he can earn extra money rather than getting it freely, it’s teaching him something (I hope!)

I gave him £15 in the end though my daughter (age 8) thinks I should pay him £10 for every 5 minutes 🤣

MalMonroe

Call me daft but I wouldn't leave a 15 year old in charge. My brother is 5 years younger than me but my parents wouldn't ever leave me in charge of him. One of my friends had to drag her little sister around with us sometimes when we were teenagers. Pain in the neck!

I never let my daughter babysit for anyone else, either. Big responsibility, for all kinds of reasons.

Can't your son get a newspaper delivery round? Although I know newspapers are not as prolific as they used to be, at our local newsagents there's a delivery round waiting list and youngsters are keen to get on it. The minimum age is 13.

Children under 16 can also work in shops - although there are restrictions about hours so that'd have to be checked. He could offer to wash neighbours' cars? Keep fit while earning, perhaps. If he googles, he will find out what work he's allowed to do at his age.

But maybe your son could just relax - at 15, won't he be studying for GCSEs soon? If he isn't already. I thought that was enough for anyone when my daughter was 15/16. She got pocket money from both parents, since we were divorced by then. 

Singlemummy_2

MalMonroe said:

Call me daft but I wouldn't leave a 15 year old in charge. My brother is 5 years younger than me but my parents wouldn't ever leave me in charge of him. One of my friends had to drag her little sister around with us sometimes when we were teenagers. Pain in the neck!

I never let my daughter babysit for anyone else, either. Big responsibility, for all kinds of reasons.

Can't your son get a newspaper delivery round? Although I know newspapers are not as prolific as they used to be, at our local newsagents there's a delivery round waiting list and youngsters are keen to get on it. The minimum age is 13.

Children under 16 can also work in shops - although there are restrictions about hours so that'd have to be checked. He could offer to wash neighbours' cars? Keep fit while earning, perhaps. If he googles, he will find out what work he's allowed to do at his age.

But maybe your son could just relax - at 15, won't he be studying for GCSEs soon? If he isn't already. I thought that was enough for anyone when my daughter was 15/16. She got pocket money from both parents, since we were divorced by then. 

That’s upto you but he’s more than responsible to look after his sister for a few hours. He does this when I go to the supermarket if she doesn’t want to come and this was the first time I’d been out (not drinking) and needed him to babysit, normally I would not go out when the kids are with me; this was an exception. 

There are no paper rounds available; he’s applied to shops when they’ve advertised 15+ but they are few and far between and most others are 16+ 

There is no pressure for him to work. He gets pocket money but if he wants more money he needs to find a way to earn it, I am not a money pit and it teaches him he has to save/earn/both.

Spendless

I used to have teenage babysitters for my 2, we got through a lot (all connected to us as neighbours, relatives, family friends) because the minute they hit 17/sixth form they discovered partying and at 18 they discovered (legal) drinking and weren't interested anymore plus they could find a more regular better paid job. 15yo's were perfect age, they had restrictions on  finding official work and the hours tended to go to the older ones who no longer had this, they were happy to watch the kids, play with them eat snacks and get paid for it.

From memory I used to pay around £15-20. I definitely remember always paying a flat fee not an hourly rate and we used to go out around 8pm and return 11.30ish, usually after 11 but definitely before midnight. It's a while back though as my kids are now in their 20s. 

Singlemummy_2

Spendless said:

I used to have teenage babysitters for my 2, we got through a lot (all connected to us as neighbours, relatives, family friends) because the minute they hit 17/sixth form they discovered partying and at 18 they discovered (legal) drinking and weren't interested anymore plus they could find a more regular better paid job. 15yo's were perfect age, they had restrictions on  finding official work and the hours tended to go to the older ones who no longer had this, they were happy to watch the kids, play with them eat snacks and get paid for it.

From memory I used to pay around £15-20. I definitely remember always paying a flat fee not an hourly rate and we used to go out around 8pm and return 11.30ish, usually after 11 but definitely before midnight. It's a while back though as my kids are now in their 20s. 

Yes definitely. Normally my son isn’t interested in my daughter but she’s always asking him to play (7 year age gap) so it was nice that they sat and watched a film together!

And now he might be able to get some babysitting for his cousins too! 

Midlander123

Nothing wrong with your son babysitting at 15. Some people are do-gooders saying you shouldn't leave a child with a 15 year old. Single parenting is hard to find 10 mins to yourself! 

Depends on how long you're leaving them. What time of the day (ie. An 5 year old 7pm - midnight) when the 5 year old is in bed by 8... for me is like £10 if that... but a 12 year old, who won't go to bed until 10pm and youre leaving at 5pm, I'd be minded to give £20 

Either way, personally I think £10-£25 is reasonable. Gotta remember at 15, you're still feeding them, providing a bus pass, washing their boxers, keeping a roof over their head. Babysitting their sibling is giving a little back. It isnt like your gonna tax their money, or start charging board!

Singlemummy_2

Midlander123 said:

Nothing wrong with your son babysitting at 15. Some people are do-gooders saying you shouldn't leave a child with a 15 year old. Single parenting is hard to find 10 mins to yourself! 

Depends on how long you're leaving them. What time of the day (ie. An 5 year old 7pm - midnight) when the 5 year old is in bed by 8... for me is like £10 if that... but a 12 year old, who won't go to bed until 10pm and youre leaving at 5pm, I'd be minded to give £20 

Either way, personally I think £10-£25 is reasonable. Gotta remember at 15, you're still feeding them, providing a bus pass, washing their boxers, keeping a roof over their head. Babysitting their sibling is giving a little back. It isnt like you’re gonna tax their money, or start charging board!

Thank you! 

plumb1_2

Imo you shouldn’t be paying them for looking after siblings. It’s part of family life.
would he be happy when you charge him for doing his washing, supplying food etc etc