What Do I Pay My 13 Yr Old for Babysitting Her Siblings?

I would pay her a flat rate(10/time example) for the time she is babysitting, you discuss and decide together. Then, ask her what she thinks is fair for a reward for helping you out- Like going on an outing with mom/dad alone, ice cream, picking out the next family movie etc. She should know that she is very much appreciated and valued in the family. If you want her to do more chores, set up an incentive program so she doesn't feel resentful. Good luck!~

Molly

I would like to add.
There is a difference from asking, "Could you watch the kids this Saturday night while dad and I go out?" We will give you $20.

Than saying, "you will be watching the kids on Sat night so dad and I can go out"
or " I need you to watch the kids so dad and I can go out.".. The first way you are asking if the child is willing.. The second way sounds like an expectation..

Yes, children should help around the house, but these are not their kids.. If you trust them to watch your most valuable people in the world, be sure to show your gratitude and trust, with the reward of more grown up freedoms and a reward for their exceptional help. Please do not take it for granted.
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I would pay her $5.00 per hour.. Or a set amount.. $15. for 4. hours..~ Usually it is $10 to $12. for 2 children from a babysitter..

Having multiple children for free babysitting, is not a good idea.. Makes the older children resent their parents. Household chores are one thing but taking an older child for granted as a babysitter, is too much..

I TOTALLY disagree with JoAnn! Ugh...I was her son. It was awful. I too have 4 younger siblings, all boys. I got so tired of hearing how if was part of my job as being a memeber of the family to watch the boys. I didn't get pregnant. I didn't support or want the boys (I love them all, but they weren't my responsability!), and I left my house 1 week after I turned 18. $5 is NOTHING, and it is probably more of an insult to him to get paid such a microscopic amount.
Sorry, got a little offended for her son's sake. Now, in your situation....It all really depends on how much she is watching them. Again, she didn't make the decision to have your younger children, you did. So, how much would you pay a regular babysitter? No, I don't think it should be as much, but I certainly think that is a good starting point. Watching siblings is hard because they know you are not mom, so there is often a power stuggle amongst the children, make sure that the younger ones know that when you are gone she is in charge.
You said that she doesn't do a lot of chores around the house...maybe change that up a little too.
You can pay your child with money, or take her and a friend to a movie, or dinner with just mom....but whatever you decide, make sure that it is fair.
L.
(I just want to say, yes, I do love all of my brothers very much. But when I moved out of the house, the youngest was about 5(?) and I didn't really see him again until he was about 8. I felt very underappreciated by my mother especially, and did NOT want children for years after I left home. As I got older I knew that I did want kids, but it took me about 7-8 years to come to that decision. I am now a mother of 2 (almost 3!) and am happy with life in general...I just want to warn you that if you start to use your daughter as a babysitter for the next 5 years and don't appreciate her or pay her appropriately it could really backfire on you!)

I have a 13 year old son with 4 younger siblings that he babysits. Most of the time I don't pay him. He's part of the family so he needs to contribute. That is part of his contribution. However, if his father and I are going on a date, or doing something "optional" I will pay him. I usually pay him $5 a day. I don't want him to get an hourly rate, this is still his family, but I like him to feel appreciated for his work.

I did not get paid directly to watch my 3 younger siblings growing up - but I did get an allowance for doing my "chores" - babysitting was one of them. So you could start an allowance for her and put dishes, laundry and room cleaning on the ticket too - i got $20 a week in the 1980s.

I applaud you for wanting to pay her and agree with those who say you should pay her. That said, I think you might rewrite the storyboard. Instead of trying to help her realize that she "needs to do the job correctly" perhaps you can approach it as a win/win. You have a bit more freedom, and she is gaining experience. It will boost her self-confidence to know that you trust her with her brothers, and that you respect her enough to pay what you would have to pay any other babysitter. As for a rate, I have no idea. Perhaps you can discuss it with her. After all, if you called a 13yo from your neighborhood, you would expect that child to tell you what they charge. It's just like any other service that you pay for.

I seldom paid my older ones for babsitting, BUT when they asked to go somewhere or asked for something special or money that was out of the ordinary, I'd tell them this was their pay for babysitting on such and such a day.

Ocassionally when we went someplace really special and expensive like when we took a two week trip to Orlandop and Disney World, I'd give them extra money and tell them this is their babysitting money.

She should be helping doing jobs or chores and the babysitting should be extra. Don't let her slack off on her chore responsibilities. She will learn a lot from that. Babysitting should be extra. (Yes, I know I said it twice. Its That IMPORTANT.)

BTW, when I started babysitting, I was paid $.35 hr so I would recommend asking your friends and neighbors what they pay for babysitting.

Good luck to you and yours.

Ok I am going to come at this is two ways. One as being sn older sibling of two younger brothers and as someone who runs a babysitting service.

At 13 your daughter is 2-3 years away from working age where here in Texas she would make minimum wage. I don't think she would want to be forced to watch them or better worded should be. Of course you should pay her!!! You would pay a sitter!!! I was making money sitting at 10. I have not made less than $5 an hour when I was younger. You need to give her goals to work for. Responsibilities when she is sitting not just watching tv but singing songs, interacting, art projects etc . You are teaching her good work ethics and she should be rewarded for that. Would you work free? Set an hourly ratele or flat fee. I bet she would like to go to the mall or movies with her friends. Instead if you "paying" for that have her spend her own hard worked money. I would make her save some too. Teach her about saving!! Dave Ramsey!!!

On a babysitting aspect. I make $12/hr for 2 kids. The avg in the US is $12/hr for 1 kid and $2 per kid after. I do 1 or 2 for $12. Min wage here is $7.25 which is good for 16 or 17. So I would do $5 hr or a flat fee. I would also make her get CPR and First aid certified. This is something also every parent should do.

I agree with Laurie A. and Laura U.

Ask the Duggars. http://www.duggarfamily.com/

Lucky boy regardless of HOW much you pay him. I have 2 younger sisters and NEVER got paid. I did it because my parents told me to.

At our house, we pay our 2 older kids $10 weekly allowance; They have chores to do and are pretty much expected to babysit the 2 younger ones when we need it, then they don't get paid anymore for babysitting, just the $10 flat weekly rate.K.

I'd probably pay her a set fee. Like $5 for short periods of time and $10 for longer time periods. I don't pay my kids to babysit except for maybe once a year or so I'll give them $20. But my kids are all older. Babysitting a 3 year old is probably more difficult so she should get something. But I also agree with Joann C. I do the same thing for allowance. I give them money about once a year or so. My kids help a small bit with my dance classes (help with students, help babysit etc.) and I paid them according to their level of help once when I first started and I'll pay them again at the end. I hope this helps.