How’s much would you pay for babysitting?

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My ds14 has been asked to babysit for a friend of mine for a couple of evenings during the festive season - can I ask how much you would pay per hour for a 14 year old to babysit? He’s a sensible lad, in cadets, has passed Emergency First Response course with another hobby and the children in question are 8&9 that he would look after.

It depends - if the kids are older, nearly in bed then £5 an hour, often rounded up.

If they're younger and there's lots to do to get them to bed (and maybe to stay there?!) £6-7/hour. And babysitters have free run of snacks but I don't make/leave them a meal.

I think £5 an hour sounds about right.

I used to get £6 an hour 15 years ago! So did my brother.

I would say £5 quid an hour but probably give them more when i paid them

Hauskat - pay hasn't risen for many people in the last 15 years. I haven't had a pay rise since 2002.

For under 3s - £8.
For over 3s £5
For two children £7

Or 10 if they are very different ages.

I think £5, that’s what we paid our babysitter when she was 15. Now she’s older it’s £6.50. We always end up paying extra though anyway! I used to love babysitting when I was younger

That’s great, thanks everyone. I thought about £5 per hour would be about right.

I used to pay £10 an hour - South East

However it was not teenagers babysitting

I think £5 would be fair, around here you could get a fully qualified professional for £8 an hour.

Am watching this with interest. Friends 16 year old daughter coming to look after 12 and 7 year old. We'll pick her up at her house and she'll stay overnight. We're going to an evening wedding reception. I imagine we'll be home 11:30ish, she can take herself off to bed when it suits, and we'll run her home in the morning.
My friend says she's looking forward to control of the remote and peace from her annoying brother, (& free rein at the biscuit tin) I honestly have no idea what's reasonable. We'll be out from 8ish to midnight at latest, I assume. (Sorry for hijacking )

No need to apologise Shoofly I’ve never used babysitters as we have 2 sets of very accomodating grandparents. I think it’s an excellent way for my ds to earn a bit of money and he’s not the type to invite round girlfriends or eat them out of house and home

I used to pay £25 for a night out, from 8-11.30 ish to 18yo neighbours daughter

I used to charge a flat rate of £20 a night.

How old are the children he's babysitting?

I've only used a babysitter once and it was a worker from ds nursery, I paid her £10ph. I'm not sure I'd use a 14yo at all tbh, maybe when ds is a lot older

Kaytee87 the children in question are 8 & 9, the parents are family friends and know how sensible he is, how good with kids and know the level of training he has gone through in First Aid. They have asked me, I haven’t offered his services.

At those ages £5ph would be about right probably. Will he have to get them to bed or just watch tv with them and referee?

£5 per hour, rounded up

£20 or £30 for the night.
If anyone babysat my 2 ds's they had to do nothing other than sit in the lounge watching tv.

Kaytee87 play with them, watch tv, referee and ensure upstairs to bed at designated time. Parents will be back before 11pm at the very latest and will bring him home (we’re only 2 mins walk away!)