AIBU to think they have taken the piss?

[clarinsgirl]

My 14 yr old DS babysat tonight for a friend of the family. 2DC both in bed when he got there. He was there 3.5 hours. What do you think is fair pay?

Well, they've lost a babysitter for future then haven't they?

I wouldn't make a big deal about this time but if they ask again or anyone else quote his fees before he starts

They had to rush off when he arrived and there was no time to discuss rate

This shoukd have been discussed when he first agreed to babysit!

they've paid less than NMW

NMW doeant apply to a 14 year old

My 17.5 yo with first aid qualifications would expect £15 for that. She often does bedtime for 2 or more children which may include feeding them for £20. We are in the north which may influence the cost. Honestly even £10 for watching tv while children sleep.is easy money as lo g as you get driven or a cab home.

He got a tenner for sitting in someone else's house 🤷‍♀️

I wouldn't make a big deal of it. Firstly he's very young, not in need of the money, and he didn't have to do anything, other than presumably sit in front of the telly, eat their snacks and use their WiFi.
At that age ( I wouldn't actually ask a 14 year old!) I'll probably pay £15 for 3.5 hours. Any older probably £8 an hour.
NMW doesn't come into it, unless he's a legal age to earn it and he declares any tax ( again not applicable) therefore you can't really complain.
But if you think too little just say no next time

Yes, I don't plan to make a big deal, I was just a bit surprised. I know NMW doesn't apply to 14 year olds but the 16-17 year old rate is a good guide and they paid considerably less than this.

When I was 15, I babysat for an American family in a lovely big house. They were definitely not short of money. They had 2 very lively boys that I had to entertain, and then put to bed. I must have been there for around 4 hours at a time and came home with a small handful of change. Enough to fit in a miniature jam jar. I felt hard done by back then but was too polite to say anything or decline their requests for a babysitter. Thinking back now I can’t believe what utter stingey arseholes they were!

NMW doesn't apply because he is not their employee!
£10 is on the low side though

Agree that £10 is on the low side NMW considerations should not apply here.

I think £20 is a nice, round number.

Does your son feel put out, OP, or is it more you?

I know NMW doesn't apply to 14 year olds but the 16-17 year old rate is a good guide and they paid considerably less than this.
Well it’s £3.65 less and he is 2-3 years younger.

It's me who thinks it's stingy, I think DS was expecting £15 but knows he didn't sort out a rate so has just taken it on the chin.

Going against the grain- £10 to do nothing much but watch TV/play on phone in someones house is fine at 14.

We pay our 14 year old £20 for the evening to babysit youngest (5). Typically 8-12 but usually a bit less. I suppose it works out around £5 an hour but he has all the comforts of home including his own room, xbox, Netflix etc. All he has to do is supervise teeth cleaning and lights out.

We used to pay external sitters £10 per hour but no extras (they'd have to provide own transport & food if they wanted it).

clarinsgirl,
I personally would of gave him £30, as he was there 3 and a half hours and like you said it wasn’t a stranger he was baby sitting for but a friend .

Does anyone else find it REALLY hard to square these threads in their mind?!

I babysat a lot from 16-18, normally from 7 or 8 till midnight. Kids were almost always in bed. I rarely got more than £15-20, which was fine considering I was generally watching TV or doing homework!

Not saying a fiver an hour isn't in the general ballpark, but babysitting for sleeping children is really not difficult....

It's not hard work, but there is responsibility. Not that it's necessarily relevant but he did have to go up twice to the 2 yr old to settle him.

I would say £20 plus food and drink

I got £10 at 17 in 1983 for babysitting for a 15 month old for 4 hours, as well as getting taken home afterwards.

Nat, I know, I was generally paid £10 to babysit in the 80's at a similar age.

I agree it's low and I also agree that this is a good life lesson to sort out the money conversation up front.

Yes, I agree, it's a lesson learned for him.

He’s going to be a bit disappointed in the real world of work if he thinks the equivalent of approx £3.50 an hour to sit and watch TV in someone’s house is a bad deal. if he goes for an apprenticeship in child care on leaving school it’s only £3.90 an hour for a full time time with travel costs etc.

It's not him that thinks it low, it's me.

3.5 hours, I pay my 17 year old babysitter a tenner an hour (10 euros so 9 pounds in or about). That is mean OP, I wouldn't get into with them now; but if there is a next time, say it straight, 3.5 hours of his time isn't worth it to him. 20 quid or nothing.