https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 03:37:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-pay-for-babysitting#post-2233748 Sat, 11 Jul 2015 15:49:43 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2233748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would talk to the mom specifically. I'd hate for any resentment to develop on her end if she begins to feel you're taking advantage- which she may not feel now and I'm not saying you are taking advantage- but like you said, these situations get tricky! Especially since the kids are still so young. I'd talk to her and ask what she thinks is fair, and keep that line of communication open in case things change </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-pay-for-babysitting#post-2233737 Sat, 11 Jul 2015 15:18:42 +0000 ElbieKay 2233737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's fair that you pay her when she comes to your house specifically to babysit (or if she watches your kids at her house when the other adults aren't there).</p> <p>But I would just discuss it with her mom and establish some ground rules in advance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-pay-for-babysitting#post-2233719 Sat, 11 Jul 2015 14:09:14 +0000 Freckles 2233719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our next door neighbours have 3 kids (4, 8, 12) - my DD (3) loves going over to their house and the parents (who we have become friends with as well) always tell us to leave DD and DS with them if we need to go anywhere. She goes over to their house a lot, and they are good with DS (7 months old) as well. There have been some nights where I asked if DD can play at their house while I put DS to bed and they are more than happy to have her there. Even though she goes to play with their youngest, she gravitates toward the older girls.</p> <p>We recently had the oldest babysit DS after he went to bed while the three of us went somewhere. We paid her for the 2 hours we were gone.</p> <p>I'm now in this weird position where I don't know when it's appropriate/inappropriate to pay the eldest. Do I pay if I specifically ask the oldest to babysit both kids? Do I not pay if I casually ask to leave both kids at their house? What if they babysit at their house but the mom ends up watching the baby- do I still pay? </p> <p>I asked my neighbour if her daughter can babysit both kids today and she said they can come over to their house if we wanted. I would feel weird if the mom was looking after the baby and we pay the daughter for babysitting, you know? I know this is such a stupid dilemma but I want to make sure we don't seem like we are taking advantage of our neighbour's generosity! </p>