Should Parents Pay Older Children To Keep The Younger Ones? (S/O)

[AdellesMom]

Well, should they?

A reply in another post got me thinking. 

Being that I'm the oldest of five children, I watched my younger siblings a LOT, and I was NEVER paid.

I didn't raise them. I helped my folks out when they needed a break, or when they wanted to take a nap. It was expected of me to help out around the house. That was one of my duties.

So, I think that paying the older kids to watch the younger ones on occasion doesn't make any sense. I guess it's because of the way I was raised.

What are your thoughts?

[AdellesMom]

BUMP!

[KairisMama]

Nope. Family helps family out.

Unless it is for a LONG period of time on a daily basis. By long I mean HOURS, and the older sibling is preparing dinner, and doing a bath, etc. then sure. Other than that, I wouldn't expect to pay my older kid to keep an eye on the younger kid here and there.

[Mrs.Miller11]

I wouldnt expect my DD to watch her sibling all the time. But if she wanted extra money, then watching her sibling would be one of the ways she could earn the money. I dont pay my kids to do the things that they need to do (homework, cleaning up after themselves, etc). But babysitting is not a requirment, so I would pay her.

[Mamaof3and1tobe]

My 8 year old helps me out with the little ones without me asking. She's never asked me for anything in return. She's not old enough to babysit so I'm not sure about paying them. My parents never paid me. I just did it when I was asked.

[AdellesMom]

That makes sense.

Babysitting was a requirement for me. lol

Quoting Mrs.Miller11:

I wouldnt expect my DD to watch her sibling all the time. But if she wanted extra money, then watching her sibling would be one of the ways she could earn the money. I dont pay my kids to do the things that they need to do (homework, cleaning up after themselves, etc). But babysitting is not a requirment, so I would pay her.

[AdellesMom]

I did all of those things and I was never paid. lol 

Maybe I should complain to my folks about it!? ;) jk

Quoting KairisMama:

Nope. Family helps family out.

Unless it is for a LONG period of time on a daily basis. By long I mean HOURS, and the older sibling is preparing dinner, and doing a bath, etc. then sure. Other than that, I wouldn't expect to pay my older kid to keep an eye on the younger kid here and there.

[Autumn19]

I think the older children shouldnt have to watch the siblings at all. My dh is oldest of 6 and had to basically help raise them.

[Mrs.Miller11]

I will say this though.... my DD is just naturally helpful most of the time. She thinks when the spawn gets here she is going to feed it, change its diaper, and rock it to sleep. Hey, more power to her- less work for me LOL.

But seriously, its not something I expect or require

Quoting AdellesMom:

That makes sense.

Babysitting was a requirement for me. lol

Quoting Mrs.Miller11:

I wouldnt expect my DD to watch her sibling all the time. But if she wanted extra money, then watching her sibling would be one of the ways she could earn the money. I dont pay my kids to do the things that they need to do (homework, cleaning up after themselves, etc). But babysitting is not a requirment, so I would pay her.

[AdellesMom]

LOL! My DD is a little jealous of the baby growing inside of me! lol

Quoting Mrs.Miller11:

I will say this though.... my DD is just naturally helpful most of the time. She thinks when the spawn gets here she is going to feed it, change its diaper, and rock it to sleep. Hey, more power to her- less work for me LOL.

But seriously, its not something I expect or require

Quoting AdellesMom:

That makes sense.

Babysitting was a requirement for me. lol

Quoting Mrs.Miller11:

I wouldnt expect my DD to watch her sibling all the time. But if she wanted extra money, then watching her sibling would be one of the ways she could earn the money. I dont pay my kids to do the things that they need to do (homework, cleaning up after themselves, etc). But babysitting is not a requirment, so I would pay her.

[Anonymous]

No. I have to work evenings to help provide for my children. It wasnt always this way, but it is now. And what I'm working to provide is mostly the extras we did not have money for like sports, cell phones, amusement parks, etc.... My teens have to watch the younger kids for about 5 hours a week and they are expected to do it to help out the whole family.

Now I will say that we do pay them if they watch the kids so we can go on a date night. It gives them a little pocket money.