How much should I pay a teenage babysitter

[BouncingTurtle]

I'm thinking of asking my next door neighbours' dd (aged 13) to entertain my nearly 6mo ds for 1/2hr - 1 hr after school.

All she will be required to do is entertain him - no feeding, or changing nappies, I'm happy for her to take him for a walk in the push chair to the local park 2 mins from our house.

She will not be left alone with him - I will be in the house or in the garden so will be handy if she needs me for anything. If he settles with her ok, I might go up to the shops to pick a few bits up, but would be no more than half an hour, but that would be when I felt she would be comfortable with it.

I haven't asked my neighbour as yet. Just wanted to know what I should offer to pay her for this, as I haven't a clue!!

TIA

£5 is reasonable

we run the course for 14yrs plus as they are often already looking after younger siblings or mums friends children after school so feel we are better to provide them with the neccessary skills.

yes we would allow someone of 13 to undertake the course as its run for year 9 plus and some are still 13 but in the year they turn 14.

many 13 yrs old are more mature than some 21yr olds i know and each individual should be judge on their merits and not all target with being 13 and therefore irresponsible.

this isnt just to turtle but to all mums on here

ok - regardless of age(however young I think some baby sitters are)

if the going rate for a teenager is about£5/6 pounds, is it not worth paying a pound or so more each hour and getting someone older/more experienced?

i cant beleive how little CM's get paid,and as one wrote, a teenager earns more per hour then she does

I know! I was really shocked about it!
The only reason why I'm thinking of using her is because I only really want someone for very short spells and she only lives next door. I don't think it is worth anyone's while to come any distance for less than an hour, especially as it might only be a couple of times a week.

I am experienced and qualified and charge £10 an hr with a min of £40 per session.

there is no min age for babysitting and as i said before some 13yr olds are more responsible than some 21yr olds

The thing about CM's is that the £3.50 or similar rate is per child per hour. They can double that rate by having another child, and if they have three or 4 then it starts to be good money. But the more children obviously the harder to keep it all running smoothly and stay sane.

bet you didnt expect such a huge discussion or response!!

i personally think its fab idea and am sure your neighbours daughter will feel chuffed to bits that you have asked her.

to start with I am sure you will be with her the whole time, then gradually let her go off for 10-15mins and slowly you will nip to shops for an hr.

I think once she has been with you 6mths and you are happy with her, you woul be able to go out for a few hours one eve and let her babysit, obviously no friends rule!! (maybe the first time make sure her mum is home for extra support if needed)

everyone needs to start somewhere.

good luck i say go for it

Cheers and thanks for the advice everyone!!!