WWYD ~ House sitting

[1blessedmama]

I glean so much from you like-minded folks that I thought I would ask you guys this question...

I have a niece, 30 years old, unemployed, with her teaching degree. She complains alot about not having a job, but then doesn't really do much to go find one. She lives at home with Mom and Dad (my SIL and BIL). She does sub so she has some small income.

Since she has moved back home, when we are out of town, I ask her to house sit for us. That basically entails feeding our three outside dogs in the morning and evening and turning off/on our pool in the morning and evening. We have a pool, Wii, big flat screen, yada, yada, yada which she uses and I fully hope she enjoys. She sleeps here, does her laundry here, etc. I tell her she can have friends over and grill, watch movies, etc. Due to family circumstances, she doesn't have friends over while lving with my SIL and BIL

Before she moved back to town, our neighbors did this for us and we did (still do) it for them when they are are out of town. It's something neighbors just do and no money is ever exchanged. So if she wasn't here, I would just get our neighbors to do it.

So my question is ~ Do I need to pay her? I am kinda feeling no because I see it as getting a break from being a 30 year old, lving at home and getting to stay somewhere with some 'toys' and opportunities that she doesnt have at home. I would love your input!

 

[Hannathy]

I think you should. It wouldn't have to be at the same rate you would a stranger but I think you should give her something. My feeling is you always get what you pay for! Plus I just think it would be the right and nice thing to so, she is committing to being there the whole time. (she probably would really appreciate some spending money and put more enthusiasm into caring for your house)

 

[Karenj2]

I think it depends on how you word it...

If you say "Could you house-sit for me?" then yes, you should pay her. (Since you won't be returning the favor, as you do with your neighbors.) If you say "While we're gone, would you like to hang at our house?" then probably not. (You could consider her consumption of your food & utilities a "payment" of some kind.)

Personally, I think a small amount per day would be nice, since she would be taking care of your pets, too.

 

[Helene]

We do the exact same thing, but it is with someone we employ at our pizzeria. He is in his early 20's, goes to school part time & works PT at our business. Given the home in which he lives with his mom, he views staying at our house like a resort vacation...many of the same amenities you listed.

We pay him $75 for the week. Although we could have friends/family stop by & do what he does (our past practice) it is a comfort to know someone is keeping more of an eye on things. Also, my pets get more consistent interaction compared to someone "stopping in" a few times a day.

It gives him a few extra dollars. He is a very hard worker, putting himself through school, etc. I get a sense that because your niece sounds as if she is a bit less motivated, your inclined to not pay her. Personally, I am very uncomfortable asking someone to do a favor for me without some form of reciprocity (like with your neighbors) or payment. My vote is to give her something.

 

[java]

Feeding 3 dogs for a week and housesitting deserves to be paid imho. It's a responsibility. She would be helping you out. I would pay her. If you are trying to be nice and help her out. That's what I would do.

 

[disykat]

When I was single, I had people who thought they were doing me a favor letting me housesit since I normally lived with roommates. Honestly, it was a pain. I had to pack up my stuff, keep someone else's house spotless, etc. Half the time I'd end up driving back home for my mail, more clothes, etc. anyway. I'd end up spending more money on food than normal because I didn't want to cook at their house. I had to follow their pet's schedules, something I didn't have to do at my home.

On weekends it was okay, but on work days it was more bother than it was worth IMO. In her eyes, she is probably doing YOU a favor and considering it a job.

If you have someone who will do it for free, tell her so and ASK her if she'd like to do it instead for a break. That will make things clear. Otherwise, if you are asking her to housesit, you need to pay her.

Temporarily living in someone else's home and taking care of their pets and plants etc. while maintaining my own life was way more favor than I wanted to do.

 

[crashbb]

I do that for my brother and SIL and have done for years (except I'm not living at home anymore). I've never been paid, nor would I expect to be paid.

They do often leave me "grocery money" since they often eat up most their stuff before their trip and they often bring me back something from their trip. They do look at it as me doing them a favour, but no money changes hands.

 

[Sparkleshine]

No way would I pay. It's just something we do for each other in our family and she is probably happy for the break away from her parents!

 

[Justsyd2]

I used to house sit for my friends, and yes, they paid me, and provided food. It may seem almost like it's a vacation but it really isn't. It's actually work!

 

[honeydiane1953]

I glean so much from you like-minded folks that I thought I would ask you guys this question...

I have a niece, 30 years old, unemployed, with her teaching degree. She complains alot about not having a job, but then doesn't really do much to go find one. She lives at home with Mom and Dad (my SIL and BIL). She does sub so she has some small income.

Since she has moved back home, when we are out of town, I ask her to house sit for us. That basically entails feeding our three outside dogs in the morning and evening and turning off/on our pool in the morning and evening. We have a pool, Wii, big flat screen, yada, yada, yada which she uses and I fully hope she enjoys. She sleeps here, does her laundry here, etc. I tell her she can have friends over and grill, watch movies, etc. Due to family circumstances, she doesn't have friends over while lving with my SIL and BIL

Before she moved back to town, our neighbors did this for us and we did (still do) it for them when they are are out of town. It's something neighbors just do and no money is ever exchanged. So if she wasn't here, I would just get our neighbors to do it.

So my question is ~ Do I need to pay her? I am kinda feeling no because I see it as getting a break from being a 30 year old, lving at home and getting to stay somewhere with some 'toys' and opportunities that she doesnt have at home. I would love your input!

I would pay her. I don't believe u would consider not.

 

[Hannathy]

No way would I pay. It's just something we do for each other in our family and she is probably happy for the break away from her parents!

Yes but there is no reciprocity going on here. They aren't pet sitting or house sitting for her when she goes away, little different situation.

 

[disney_girl125]

I really think you need to pay her. It's still work.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Yes I would pay her something. When we go away I pay the person, and I ask what kinds of things they like to eat. I go buy snacks food and what not, they just cant . But other than that they get the full effects of the tv, computer, wii and whatever else. Jo

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

Yes, I would think you need to pay her. Even though she is family she is still taking care of your house and dogs. She HAS to be there. You need to pay her. In our area people get $30 a day to house sit. If you want her to do it again you need to compensate her, especially since she does not have a job she would probably enjoy a little extra cash.

 

[TxRabbit]

It sounds like you would like to offer a thank you or something that would express your appreciation for the level of effort and help that your neice is offering you. I think you should follow this thought through to action, but I'm not necessarily convinced that money is the way to go.

It's just me, but I think that gift giving is a lost art; too many times money or gift cards are given. The excuse that people can buy what they want is nice, but that used to be a cop-out when I was growing up. It indicated that someone didn't have enough time, nor enough thought or effort, to planning a gift for another person. It was an embarassing gift to give.

I admit, at 38, I must sound so old school, but it's just me. I like thoughtful gifts, and with that in mind, I would put on my thinking cap to figure out what you could do for her that would be equal to the level of effort she gives to your family when she cares for your house. This was easy reciprocity with your neighbor, like for like. And this won't be the case with your neice, but I'm thinking that if you are trying to say thank you, a gift of some sort would be the best thing.

I know it's something of a gift certificate, but what if you got her a day/treatments at a spa? A little pampering? Something that she wouldn't buy for herself at this time maybe because she doesn't have the extra money for it? You could write a nice thank you that expressed your appreciation for her care of your pets and home, and you want her to enjoy the same care for herself. Have fun at the spa!

IMO something like that would be a very nice thank you.

 

[1blessedmama]

I like the idea of a spa day for there is no way she would do that for herself. I have definitely decided to do something like that or pay her for this time. But next time, I don't know. I can save myself the money and ask my neighbors to do it. But then I know she enjoys being here too. Can you tell I am conflicted?

She has said how much she enjoys being over here, saying it is like a vacation for her to get away from her parents and some drama there.

 

[Madison'smommy]

I like the idea of a spa day for there is no way she would do that for herself. I have definitely decided to do something like that or pay her for this time. But next time, I don't know. I can save myself the money and ask my neighbors to do it. But then I know she enjoys being here too. Can you tell I am conflicted?

She has said how much she enjoys being over here, saying it is like a vacation for her to get away from her parents and some drama there.

I would not give her cash this time, knowing that next time you are going to do something different. NExt time you ask, she may be counting on the fact that you are giving her cash. Whatever you do this time will set the presidence for the future.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

I wouldn't pay her...guess because she is 30 yrs old and you're family (it's not like you asked the kid down the street just so they could earn some money). Some things people just do because they are being kind and don't expect anything more than a thank you in return. However, I think I'd ask the neighbors next time.

 

[Samar]

I would pay her at least something. You know she's unemployed and I'm sure she'd greatly appreciate a little something for keeping an eye on things.

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd pay her - what if 2 days in, someone invites her to go out of town? She can't - she committed to you.