Do you pay your kids to babysit their siblings?

[peanut12392]

I LOVE this idea. I think that is the reason my DD13 is not interested in babysitting. She always says that they won't listen to her. I'll be trying this one for sure!

I realize this won't be for everyone, but its been GREAT for us, DHs cousin with kids about the same age has done this and it worked well for them too.

 

[writersblock42]

well first of all there are laws about what ages children can stay home alone and babysit so make sure that you are first obeying the law. In Maryland, a child can stay by themselves at 9 and then they can babysit at the age of 13. Some states do not have laws but guidelines and also the child protective services has guidelines of when they can step in.
I personally think that yes, the child must be paid to watch siblings. There are some things that are part of the family watching somebody else's kids for free is not one of them. That is just my opinion. If they say they will for free that is different. It is also different if like one is 14 and the other two are like 12, and 10. That is not babysitting that is just putting the oldest in charge. But having a child over 12 watch younger children is babysitting and should be paid.
Just my opinion.

 

[grlpwrd]

I pay my 12yo and almost 16yo to babysit their 3 siblings for $10 a hour. It's usually for an hour or 2. My twin sister and I had a business like this when we were teens and we made a lot of $$$ as a babysitting team.

They are very responsible and mature and have taken 2 babysitting courses: American Red Cross and Safe Sitter.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Wow I don't know about this one. Maybe if it was for when you go out for a date or something, but just to do a errand or something I don't think I would. My daughter is 13 her younger brothers are 9 and 3 and I have not left her alone with them for very long. Maybe 20 minutes to run up and get some milk or something. I can't wait until she can really babysit so we can go out on a date.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I never got paid for babysitting my sister. Truthfully I would never have even thought to ask. I watched her while my Mom worked (and hour here or there). (we also lived upstairs from our Grandparents) I personally would not pay my kids to babysit each other. I think that being a family means being responsible for each other and helping out. I'm not slamming anyone else for their choices- so I hope I don't offend, but that's just my way of thinking.

 

[azgal81]

My parents always paid my brother and I each a dollar an hour to babysit each other.