how much do you pay your babysitter?

[harriman]

I've always relied on family members so I've never had to pay anything before!
I have a 15 year old girl willing to sit for my 4 children. They are ages 10, 8, 6 and 4. They generally behave well and go straight to bed without a fuss. I would get them ready for bed in their PJ's. My 10 year old (girl) is extremely sensible and would help with teeth cleaning etc of the younger two.
The 15 year olds mum is suggesting that I pay �5/hour for the first 2 hours, �8 for the third hour, rising to �10 for the fourth hour.
I felt that this was extortionate for an unqualified 15 year old- �28 for a night out from 7.30 until 11.30. I don't live in London - I live in the Midlands. Plus, I work in a school as a break time supervisor and I only get �5.75/hour myself.

[jodie73]

I think �15 would be enough for 4 hours.

[Psychick]

The fact that there is four kids shouldnt make much difference and I would say �5 an hour is fair. Expecting it to go up as much as �10 an hour is a bit extreme............is the mother getting a cut from it? lol

[888sally888]

�5 an hour - and my 17 year old agrees!

[bednobs]

deff no more than 5 pounds per hour, plus the taxi fare home

[ethanryan]

i used to look after 3 children when i was 16 from 7pm till 11pm and i used to get 10 pound. i was always happy with that

[redcrx]

I agree that is a high price

my neighbours daughter babysat for our 2 year old the ther week. Shes 14 (her mum was next door all night should there be any problems). She brought her homework and didnt get a bit of it done as our son had her on her feet from 7.00 to 11.30. She was even sitting him on the toilet, changing him and settling him to sleep. We gave her �25 and she tried to give a load of it back as she said it was too much! and shes already asked when she can do it again

I think �5 and hour is plenty and obviously make sure she gets home safely.

[meltoadhall]

I pay my teenage sitter �5 an hour and she is very happy.

[Louisa 69]

sounds like her mum is seeing pound signs. I like you always have family members babysit so not sure what the going rate is... But �5 an hour seems quite fair.

[Kenny33]

Hi I have three boys and I pay �20 for the evening. A 15 year old if being paid by the hour should be paid at minimum wage around �5.00 ph.

[marabout]

�5 is enough!...then,every hour after midnight,an extra pound...plus a taxi home...i will babysit for that!..fare home will be expensive though!

[flolo]

15 years old and watching 4 young children NO WAY It wouldnt matter how desparate I was.

[Thunderchild]

wait a minute what is this suportation releif pay ? if you sell in bulk you sell for less per unit (hour in this case) if the hours increase you should pay a little off not more if we want to have a basis of this sort, for example 7 for the first hour and 5 for anymore if she walks to you or something just the extra incentive to get her there but to double the price for more work is the wrong way round no child under any law would get more than 5.5 an hour cause thats the minimum wage and she not exactly a skilled worker or something its just pocket money. tell her to go and get a real job see how she likes it would like to see her ask an employer such a wage she would get as far as quoting ten being booted when asking for 7 this is a total take on who the hell do people think they are.

[Thunderchild]

just for reference I am 24 and deliver newpapers people as young as 14 can do it guess how much we get ? 3.33 pounds for 133 papers and about 40p more for every leaflet so on average 4 pounds a round, guess how long the whole deal takes ? 2 hours at least and this kid wants 10 for sitting on her ass just for an hour somethings srewy somewhere what is it with people nowadays,