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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that £20 for 8 hours babysitting isn't great?

222 replies

Hennypenny95 · 17/12/2021 19:45

My daughter is almost 18 and has agreed to babysit tonight for someone on our street from 5pm until 1am and she's received twenty quid for the 8 hours. Is this a reasonable rate? We're in the Midlands? She should have agreed a rate beforehand, I know, but she didn't as she's squirmy talking about money to people. What's a reasonable rate for her to ask for in future? She's on over £6 per hour in her part-time pub job, washing up and collecting dishes.

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 17/12/2021 20:34

the parents are taking the piss

don't babysit for them again

the going are in midlands is £9.35 per our

Blondeshavemorefun · 17/12/2021 20:34

Def takes the piss

Yes hourly rate should have been discussed

For her age maybe £5/6ph

artquejtion · 17/12/2021 20:35

PS don't blame your daughter, most people are uncomfortable with asking a specific rate, I know I was at that age. Hopefully they will pay her some 'extra.'

mumwon · 17/12/2021 20:35

the temptation (not really just enjoying the nasty immoral/illegal thought) would be to contact them & say you have had a positive covid result & ruin their Christmas.
I would be tempted as her dm (because I am like that) to ring them up & say something & make sure your dd tells any friends how she was treated & warn them against this family

rocky1914 · 17/12/2021 20:36

I'm so annoyed for both you and your DD. To add insult to injury, they're highly paid professionals too? Please do not let your DD babysit for them again. Like, ever. 😒

Kuachui · 17/12/2021 20:37

babysitting minimum £5 per hour....

Nocutenamesleft · 17/12/2021 20:37

I pay my babysitter £40 for 3 hours. And around 25 for 2 hrs.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 17/12/2021 20:37

Would she brave enough when they get home to ask for "the rest of my money"? Isn't it normal to pay the babysitter when you get home rather than when you go out?

me4real · 17/12/2021 20:38

YANBU. I mean, it's between someone and their 'employer' for the night, but I'd say minimum wage at least, especially as she's 18. So, £6.56 at least.

TarpaulinEyes · 17/12/2021 20:39

I used to babysit in the 1970s. My parents wouldn't allow me to quote a fee, I had to say to people to give me what they felt was reasonable. I only came unstuck once when I was given a box of Elizabeth Shaw mint. I didn't go back to that family again and nor should your DD OP. They're having a giraffe.

My favourite family paid £2 an hour, Collected me from home and drove me home at the end of the session, free run of their record collection, all the Ribena I could drink (I loved and still love Ribena), crisps, TV, and both the boys in bed asleep when I arrived. My special treat was being able to play with the boys Lego. I would make them a house or something to find the next morning when they got up. Simple homespun fun but I enjoyed it.

ultrablue · 17/12/2021 20:39

Jeez I used to get that in the 80's plus my body weight in sweets, crisps etc

And kids were in bed etc and escorted home all three houses away

me4real · 17/12/2021 20:39

Would she brave enough when they get home to ask for "the rest of my money"?

@sparepantsandtoothbrush ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

esloquehay · 17/12/2021 20:39

That's disgusting. I pay a 17 year old £12 an hour, as she's responsible and brilliant with my children, so I'm not about to pay her less than I would an adult.

Jericha · 17/12/2021 20:40

Our babysitter charges £5/h. We pay this plus an extra £10 as £5 feels a bit cheap. Before she could drive we'd also pay for a taxi home.

ColitisSucks · 17/12/2021 20:40

I used to get 2.50 an hour for dog walking.

But that was in 1998.

Jericha · 17/12/2021 20:41

To clarify the extra tenner is for the evening not per hour!

ColitisSucks · 17/12/2021 20:41

And I was 14.

silverbubbles · 17/12/2021 20:41

That's really bad. My son 17 yrs baby sat for first time last night and got £20 for 3 hours.

I think some people literally have no idea at all. Anything less than £5 / hour is really mean.

She probably needs to avoid baby sitting for this person again. Its tricky at that age to state a payment rate but perhaps easier if its just someone on the street /lesser known family...

She perhaps needs to learn a little assertiveness up front - 'Yes, I can do this friday for you. Are you happy with £5 per hour and £10 per hour after midnight?'

This should help to avoid any nasty surprises and also give people a better idea as to what they need to pay.

Landof · 17/12/2021 20:42

Those saying she should be paid £10, she's only 17! I'm a qualified trained nanny and charge £10 for evening nannying as I want to remain affordable. As a teenager I was paid £20 as standard until midnight (usually starting at 7) and then £30 if back sometime after midnight.
There days I'd expect to pay a teenager £6 per hour.
£20 is ridiculous.

AuntieDolly · 17/12/2021 20:43

Who agreed the £20? Surely there was some discussion about rates before tonight?

Twolostsoulsswimminginafishbow · 17/12/2021 20:44

They’ll be chomping at the bit to have her go again at that price!!

DillDanding · 17/12/2021 20:45

That's derisory.

I'd give £60 and even that's not enough.

Cherrytart23 · 17/12/2021 20:46

I was certainly short changed when I was a teen going by these comments I babysat for alot of families on the estate an took whatever they paided anything between £5 and £20.

Squeezita · 17/12/2021 20:47

Why don’t you go round and tell they took advantage and tell them they need to pay another £30?

KeyErro · 17/12/2021 20:48

Wow, that's dreadful. How many kids and how old?