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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how much you’d expect a babysitter to cost on NYE

519 replies

ThatMauveRaven · 30/12/2024 18:15

20yo DD has been asked (last minute) to babysit her manager’s two young children tomorrow night. They’ve offered her £60 in cash to be there from 8pm-1am. The two kids will most likely be asleep in bed, so she won’t exactly have to do much work but I still think that this is quite stingey considering it’s New Years Eve!

Thoughts?

YABU - £60 is enough
YANBU - I’d expect to pay more

OP posts:
FrippEnos · 30/12/2024 19:18

I would say 20 p/h plus food and drink

toolate2 · 30/12/2024 19:17

I would do it for £60! Money to sit down and watch TV especially if I had planned on a quiet night anyway.
Is it really worth causing a conflict especially with her manager. Doing him a favour could benefit her far more in the future than if she was paid £100 now.

ChristmasCwtch · 30/12/2024 19:17

At least £20 an hour, plus some treats to eat!!

Kitkat1523 · 30/12/2024 19:17

CeciliaMars · 30/12/2024 18:18

I think that's reasonable for a 20-year old. She can say no if she's not happy with it!

You are joking yeh ? 🙄
pits NYE ….it’s 5 hours ….on NYE …..100 quid minimum I would say…..why is it reasonable cos she’s 20? 🙄

CouldntGiveAHoot · 30/12/2024 19:17

I think the real question is 'how much is her NYE worth to her?'.

Personally, at that age, it would have had to be well into triple figures for me to give up my own NYE. £100-150 range.

CakeMakingQueen · 30/12/2024 19:16

£60 for 5 hours on New Year’s Eve? They’re taking the piss. I’d advise my child to know their worth.

My niece is 16 and is getting £20 an hour gif the same thing.

TheHateIsNotGood · 30/12/2024 19:15

£60 is fine or maybe £75 as it's NYE. DD20 can always say no; but for a person who'd rather stay in, if one is available (aged 16-80), then it would be a good deal.

The costs of a teenaged babysitter for a few hours in an evening, skyrocketed from 2000 - I gave up going out from about 2005 - keeping my 'babysitting' fund for the evening monthly meetings that my job revolved around.

Fast forward 20 years and I think I'm now cured of wanting to go out for an evening.

TartanMammy · 30/12/2024 19:14

I think it's a bit tight. £10 an hour would be standard babysitting rate, but I'd expect quite a bit more for Hogmanay. Maybe double or at least time and a half.

surreygirl1987 · 30/12/2024 19:13

I pay £15 per hour on a normal evening. So I think this is stingy, expecially as it's NYE and a late night.

WinchSparkle80 · 30/12/2024 19:13

It’s £10 an hr, 8-12 and double time 12-1. Not terrible but I would pay more.

ThatMauveRaven · 30/12/2024 19:13

Samanabanana · 30/12/2024 19:08

We pay £10/HR for baby sitting on any given evening, so on NYE I would expect a minimum of time and a half or even double time - 20yo would surely much rather be out having a good time than earning a measly £60!

DD has been out having a bit too good of a time for the past few nights so is seeking a bit of a quieter NYE than usual.. 🤣 She’s just undecided as to whether the £60 is fair or not.

OP posts:
ThatMauveRaven · 30/12/2024 19:11

Holdonforsummer · 30/12/2024 19:02

But babysitting has never played by minimum wage rules. Ever! It’s an easy part time gig. If she doesn’t want it, say no. I’d be tempted to do it for £60! Avoid all that NYE hassle!

Babysitting counts as work and therefore minimum wage applies whether you like it or not. Thankfully the majority of us have a bit of politeness and respect for others and don’t take advantage of young babysitters by paying them unfairly to get cheap childcare. Unfortunately you seem to be in the minority.

OP posts:
Samanabanana · 30/12/2024 19:08

We pay £10/HR for baby sitting on any given evening, so on NYE I would expect a minimum of time and a half or even double time - 20yo would surely much rather be out having a good time than earning a measly £60!

Oodlesandoodlesofnoodles · 30/12/2024 19:06

£100

IhadaStripeyDeckchair · 30/12/2024 19:05

I'd expect a cab to/from the house & £100 cash & nibbles and something to see the new year in with (a mini of champagne probably)

JSMill · 30/12/2024 19:04

Definitely no less than £100. They should be grateful to find someone willing to babysit on NYE.

hattie43 · 30/12/2024 19:04

I think it's fine , it's tax free and easy money .

TiramisuThief · 30/12/2024 19:03

I'd have said £100 too.

No way will they be home at 1 and they'll still try and only pay £60 I bet.

Jolietta · 30/12/2024 19:03

At least £100 and an extra days holiday if he can permit it or letting her have an afternoon off to go home early on a day of her choosing.

modgepodge · 30/12/2024 19:02

Isn’t minimum wage almost £12 per hour now? She should definitely be earning more than that on NYE!

£20 for a whole evening 😂 unless this is a 14 year old, unacceptable.

Holdonforsummer · 30/12/2024 19:02

Gemmawemma9 · 30/12/2024 18:57

Whaaat? She’s a fully grown woman! It’s barely minimum wage!
minimim £100, plus pay for her transport home and some food for her.

But babysitting has never played by minimum wage rules. Ever! It’s an easy part time gig. If she doesn’t want it, say no. I’d be tempted to do it for £60! Avoid all that NYE hassle!

Speckyfourfries · 30/12/2024 19:02

I would pay £50 for 8 to 12ish. And leave the babysitter tea and snacks

GetyourheadoutoftheovenIris · 30/12/2024 19:01

She’s 20, she can say no.

Hankunamatata · 30/12/2024 19:01

I was going to say £100.

BrightLightTonight · 30/12/2024 19:00

Thats less than minimum wage - 5 hours/ £60