should I pay my son to babysit his little brother?

I would pay him. It really isn't his responsibility take care of his brother. If he wasn't there, you would be paying someone else. If it is only 2 hours a day, I would give him $5 for the day.

I rarely pay my 14 year old for babysitting her 10 year old sister. I pay for her soccer and taekwondo and other things like that. That's payment enough. She doesn't expect to get paid either. But once in awhile when she owes me money, I'll tell her to forget it since she looks after her sister a lot. I don't know where you live but here 12 year olds are old enough to babysit. So the two issues I have is a) your younger son may be old enough to stay home alone. It's only 2 hours after all; and b) your older son is not really BABYSITTING since the younger son is capable of looking after himself. Can't two brothers hang out together after school? Play a little basketball or whatever? I have begun to let my ten year old stay home alone for brief periods. She will be 11 in August and I have told her that if she wants me to trust her to be alone then she has to follow the rules. But I also advise a neighbour that she is home alone in case she needs assistance, especially since she is always playing outside anyway (during daylight, that is). I was glad when my older daughter became of babysitting age and took the babysitting course. Then I didn't have to worry about GETTING a babysitter AND PAYING for one. I don't give my kids an allowance. I believe our home is a community in which we all work together in making it run smoothly. They should not get paid for "being a part of the family".

Yeah do that, he might as well learn to work for his money at some point :-)

I would definitely pay him atleast $3 an hour. Afterall, where else is the boy going to get his own money? I think paying your children to babysit eachother is a good way to teach them responsibility, and get them ready for the real world. It also teaches them to appreciate a job well done.

So it's the 17 yr old's idea that you should pay him? It's been a long time since I've come across a 12 yr old who needs a babysitter. I think the oldest is just trying to sucker you into giving him extra money.

Check the laws for your state on when a child can start babysitting, I know some states it is 14 and if that is the case in your state and someone reports him babysitting at his age you could be in trouble, though I know some 12 year olds are mature enough and back to the question at hand, yes if he is watching his little brother I would definately pay him cash, maybe $3-$4 an hour? he is doing you a service and it could be part of his allowance, just as if he did any other chore. It will give him a sense of responsibility and an oppurtunity to manage his own money.

From reading a few of your answers, I am probably in the minority here. I think he should be paid --several have suggested $10 a day. I don't know if that is appropriate or not. But, I don't think you should just expect him to watch his younger brother. Both of the children are yours, so you are responsible for their care. The older one did not choose to have a child, so he really should not be required to be responsible for his brother.

i dont think it is a good idea to pay your son to babysit his brother.. it will only spoil your son and then his demands would increase day by day.

I think it is important that he gets at least a little cash for babysitting. You don't have to give him money per hour. Just give him like 10 bucks for each day, or whatever you can afford to give him. I babysit my nieces for my sister and this is kind of the same situation. I don't get a lot, but I get a little bit of money eachtime I babysit. But that little bit adds up if I do it enough.

I wouldn't pay him to babysit, for one thing although a 12 year old doesn't need an actual sitter but more like supervision the older brother should be willing to spend time with his little brother. Even though he is 17 and has his own friends and many things he could be doing afterschool and would prefer to do, if you tell him he has to babysit without money he could possibly resent his brother (worst case scenerio) or paying him to do is more like bribing him. Personally I think you should discuss this with him, he is 17 and close to an adult. Tell him for watching his brother, on the weekend maybe his curfew could be 1 hour longer and tell him you will help out with a few dollars for him to perhaps go to a mvie or whatever, maybe $20-30 as a gratitude for helping you. I hope this helps you, just talk to him though because he is almost an adult and I am sure there can be things he can do for fun with his brother you can suggest so it does not seem much like a chore but some quality brother time! (basketball, video games, watch a movie, talk together, bike riding, etc.) The little one is 12 not 2 so it wont seem to be as much a chore! Good luck to you :)

I would pay him! I would pay him at least $4 an hour, but if it were me, I would pay him what I would pay a regular babysitter. So if you ever used a regular babysitter think back to what you paid and offer him that, I mean anything is better than nothing. I'm sure he'd be happy!