opinions on payment for 14 year old "babysitter"/"play friend"

[StarryStarryNight]

My neighbour has a 14 year old very mature and responsible daughter. In her words she is great with kids, been fab with her 8 year old brother since he was little, etc.

Now there is school holidays, and my neighbour was mentioning that her daughter was probably going to be a little bored, and she had expressed wishes to come play with my kids (5 and 2) to relieve me a little, if I am cooking dinner, trying to get housework done, shower etc, to take them out on the green in front of our house, etc. I would be nearby, so it is not like she would have totally on her own with them. she is also at home with her brother while her mum works mornings.

Is this in general a good idea? Has anybody else done something similar?

She probably would want to receive some payment for her efforts. How much would be appropriate?

Could I possibly ask her to mow our law for a tenner? (less than one hours work) Is that too tough a job for a 14 year old girl these days?

we have a lovely 15 year old dd of a friend too. i wouldnt ask our 15 year old to mow our lawn.

I pay her £5 an hour when she babysits, same as our grown up babysitter

I pay her £10 for an afternoon playing with/looking after older kids (from about 2-5)

my 15 year old niece comes to stay with me for most of the summer.

The last time she was here she earned £20 in a weekend simply by helping me out. She put ironing away as I did it, she emptied the d/washer & she brought in clothes when it rained etc.. I didn't ask her, she just is a helpful girl.

I would have no qualms about paying her £10 to cut the lawn, surely lawnmowers aren't heavy these days are they?

How about £30 for the lawn & keeping the kids amused...or is that too much? I mean for the whole week... or how about £20?

Our neighbour's daughter is 13 and babysits for us occasionally (only when her mother is also at home though... and her mum is a trained nurse) - again very responsible.

We give her about 3 quid an hour (although she asks for 2 quid an hour... I just think that seems a bit small considering how good she is and how much grief she gets from my sons (they adore her and always stay up to play with her!))

Her younger brother washes cars inside and out for £2 as well (although again, we pay a bit more as the poor lad was out all afternoon cleaning 3 cars inside and out as my mum was visiting... one dry day many months ago - we gave him a tenner).

Not sure about mowing lawns... may see if they're old enough for that yet

I love our local teenagers...

Thank you, this has given me some rough ideas. I am on my way over to neighbour now to have a chat about it, so just wanted to know how much to reasonably offer.

Lucky you, we have no local teenagers on our close as most of the kids are roughly the same age - its nice to see them helping put and being given some responsibility. The money they earn means they can treat themselves over the hols too so fab idea. Can you post her first class