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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think she should pay my DD more?

68 replies

DishyFly · 23/07/2023 16:51

DD has got herself a little summer job this summer helping the neighbour with her dog walking.

She is to go in during the day and take the dog out for a walk and she is allowed to stay around there for as long as she likes, etc. she is very happy because we are a busy household (3 siblings that are a decade younger than her)

Neighbour is paying her £15 a week. That's honestly nothing. I'd normally have got that back in the 80s. DD seems happy enough but I feel a bit like I should be encouraging her to know her worth. It's a lot of effort every day and I don't think neighbour would be happy if she skipped it on any days, etc.

DD is 14.

OP posts:
uniresearch2023 · 23/07/2023 17:36

There is no minimum wage for people under 16. The minimum wage for 16 year olds is £5.28 per hour. If your DD walks the dog for 30 mins per day, she is earning £6 an hour. Not bad money at all. Even if she walked the dog for an hour a day, that's still £3 an hour, which really isn't bad considering she has full use of the neighbours house, too.

FlowersInTheSky · 23/07/2023 17:38

YABU. She’s accepted it. If she thinks she should be paid more she should ask. If not, and she’s happy with it, leave her be.

Hankunamatata · 23/07/2023 17:39

Minimum wage for under 18 is £5.28. If dd walks dog 30min each day thats £2.64. £2.64 x 5 = £13.20 so she would be overpaying plus dd gets to hang out in neighbours house for 14 yr old priceless

Datafan55 · 23/07/2023 17:43

Your DD is earning some ready cash, earning a reference, and sounds like she is enjoying the peaceful house (snacks on hand?), use of dog and the exercise.
(as an adult, I have housesat for friends many times on these terms and felt it was a decent bargain).
She also isn't presumably insured, so PPs comparing what they pay dog walkers isn't a fair comparison.

Quveas · 23/07/2023 17:45

I think that your daughter is old enough to decide for herself what she is happy with and what she isn't. Maybe, to her, having the house to herself for several hours is the luxury space that she wants - if there's treats and food and the tv etc etc, it's heaven!

tescotom · 23/07/2023 17:47

Professional dog walkers charge the rates they do because of costs associated with running the business.
Insurance, tax, NI etc.

Your daughter I presume will have no insurance and no other costs to pay out her small earnings.

I'd probably of been more generous and gave £5 a walk, however, I wouldn't be having your daughter in my house all day if she chooses.

Overall, an OK deal I think and like other say, may lead to more work.

Whichwhatnow · 23/07/2023 17:48

Hmm I think given the overall 'package' it's pretty ok for a 14 year old. She gets peace and quiet, presumably has access to Sky/Wifi to watch whatever she wants - will she also have access to basic food and drinks, like sandwich stuff/toast, cereal, fruit, squash etc?

I also wouldn't underestimate how much of a 'benefit' the dog itself is in your DD's eyes- assuming you don't have a dog yourselves, doggy walks, playing and cuddles may well seem like a lot of fun! The animal rescues around here all have schemes where local people (usually teens/young people) can come and walk the dogs that are always massively oversubscribed with a long waiting list - and they're completely voluntary!

If your DD is happy I'd leave it tbh. If she was a bit older so could feasibly get a 'proper' weekend/PT job then I'd maybe negotiate, but at 14 the options are going to be very limited and this will give her independence, confidence and a reference as well as a few quid extra.

PureLife89 · 23/07/2023 17:54

You may not be happy about it but what about your daughter?

All these replies and nobody has yet asked about your daughter

If she's happy then just leave her to it, if she's not then mention it

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 23/07/2023 17:55

I think for this summer as it's been agreed and she's happy with it let it go. Some people go on that website borrow my doggy as they want to walk other peoples dogs for free - if she loves dogs and you get involved with the neighbour and ruin it for her she'll be upset (and you'll owe her £15)

See how it goes and if the lady wants her again she can renegotiate her terms

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 23/07/2023 17:56

Hankunamatata · 23/07/2023 17:39

Minimum wage for under 18 is £5.28. If dd walks dog 30min each day thats £2.64. £2.64 x 5 = £13.20 so she would be overpaying plus dd gets to hang out in neighbours house for 14 yr old priceless

Yes I agree

ohsuzannah · 23/07/2023 17:58

I think £25 a week would be fairer.
When I was cat sitting for a lady with 6 cats I was getting £25 a day which she assured me was the going rate. I didn't always stay overnight, but if I didn't I was back by 6am to let them out. She had a lovely house next to a river with a wood burning stove. I really enjoyed my time there 😊

Twyford · 23/07/2023 18:07

Your DD is presumably getting the benefit of the neighbour's electricity and wifi, watching her TV etc? Is she also making drinks and food for herself when she's round there? If so, all that needs to be factored in.

AquaButton · 23/07/2023 18:13

We done this for free for our neighbour when we were young, if we got a few quid and a gift when they got home it was a bonus, not paid work.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 23/07/2023 18:15

I think it’s fine tbh. Not brilliant, and I’d think £25 was more “on the money”, but it’s fine.

She is getting to use neighbour’s house so that’s to be factored in.

And as pps have said, it’s an experience she can use and learn from

toomanyleggings · 23/07/2023 18:17

It’s on the low side but everything taken into account not terrible. I wouldn’t make a fuss and praise your daughter for doing something positive

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 23/07/2023 18:17

She's not just being paid £15 per week though, is she?

She also has free access to the neighbours house and garden - she can hang out, watch TV, have a nap, read, listen to music or just chill and enjoy the peace and quiet.

With three younger siblings in the house, it's hardly surprising she's snapped the offer up.

AliceOlive · 23/07/2023 18:19

I would leave her to it. Tell her you think it’s worth more, but ultimately she can decide what it’s worth to her. I would never encourage her to change the deal after she agreed to it.

Is she missing out on something more lucrative? I have a young neighbor that would gladly hang out at my house and visit my pets for free.

Liz1tummypain · 23/07/2023 18:20

If your daughter is ok with it then that should be enough. It's not exactly hard work and she gets out and away from younger siblings which is apparently a good thing.

LaughOutInTheGrass · 23/07/2023 18:26

I’d advise my kids not to do it for that amount. The neighbour is taking the piss.

rookiemere · 23/07/2023 18:27

I would have said £5 a day was the bare minimum you could offer someone to do that and the neighbour is being a CF.

That said, if your DD is enjoying it and it gets her out of the house, some exercise a bit of space and she earns money on top, then I'd leave it as is for this holiday period, but suggest if she does it again that she asks for a bit more.

If it were me I'd offer £10 a day because that feels about right.

musicforthesoul · 23/07/2023 18:29

Sounds a little low but not unreasonable, assuming 30 min walk its above minimim wage. Especially with the free use of the house, thats quite possibly worth more than the money for your DD.

What people would pay proper dog walkers/pet sitters doesn't really come into it, I'd be expecting appropriate insurance etc if you wanted to charge anywhere near those rates.

IveHadItUpToHere · 23/07/2023 18:31

Your DD seems to have found herself a job and is happy with the amount. You stepping in to steal the sunshine undermines everything your DD feels she has achieved. Is some extra money worth that to you? Because I doubt it will feel worth it for your DD.

applesandmares · 23/07/2023 18:32

Dog walkers in my area charge £10 for an hours walk however they are insured, some have done training etc and they don't get to use peoples homes (although I doubt they'd want to!)

I'd say £5 a day for the walk is proper. That said, if she's enjoying it I'd leave her to it this year and possibly have her renegotiate if it comes up again.

toomanyleggings · 23/07/2023 18:39

On the other hand, I’d be slightly concerned about the neighbours house/ relationship with neighbour. What if she accuses her of making a mess, stealing etc? Hmmm could be a bit of a disaster

SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 23/07/2023 18:47

I agree a fiver a day would be right. £15 is pretty tight!

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