How much would you pay for a family member to watch your 8 year old? Keep in mind that there are no kids in the house near that age and you would have to buy groceries, etc.
I'm taking care of my little brother for 2 weeks while my dad and stepmom go on vacation to Italy. I am doing a bunch of science experiments at home, while my 1 year old naps, and setting up some other fun stuff...I used to be a day camp director. So, I don't need ideas on how to keep him busy, but I was just curious... how much would you pay?

By Yjja123 on Sunday, July 3, 2005 - 03:50 pm:

$200.00 MINIMUM
After-all see what camps would cost for two weeks.
They are a lot more than that.
Good Luck!

By Colette on Sunday, July 3, 2005 - 03:51 pm:

I don't think any of my family members would accept money to watch one of my kids. So instead I would buy groceries, rent movies, buy the supplies for the experiments.

By Mommmie on Sunday, July 3, 2005 - 03:58 pm:

I would not charge a family member, put would appreciate some food and supplies, or a little money for me to use to buy some groceries.

By Pamt on Sunday, July 3, 2005 - 04:01 pm:

I don't know because like Colette we don't pay family members. I just had my sister's 13 and 16 y/o DDs for 10 days. She sent them with $100 to pay for extra stuff like admission when we went to a nature park, meals out, and special stuff. I did use that money to cover extras, but not to help with groceries or anything. My sister is keeping my 2 boys for a week while DH and I are in Nicaragua, so she will just return the favor and I'll send some extra cash for them for incidentals too.

By Reds9298 on Sunday, July 3, 2005 - 04:04 pm:

Ditto Pamt.

By Mrsheidi on Sunday, July 3, 2005 - 04:06 pm:

Yes...costs for groceries, entertainment, etc....I'm not charging for my time. That's why I put the information above. Wondering how much does an 8 year old cost to keep busy and for groceries?

By Kaye on Sunday, July 3, 2005 - 05:33 pm:

I wouldn't pay either, or ask to be paid. We kept a friend's 8 year old for 4 days, it never crossed my mind. It really just doesn't add that much cost to our house and we didn't even notice.

By Pamt on Sunday, July 3, 2005 - 05:35 pm:

Groceries will be the same as for you and your DH. He'll just eat the same foods and it's as easy to cook for 4 as it is for 3, so I wouldn't really get them to pay for that if it were me. You might want to have a few extra "fun" snacks on hand like popsicles or Little Debbies or something for a treat. Most science experiments use household staples like vinegar, baking soda, food coloring, so I don't know that would cost anything either. Make sure they send him with some of his toys and if he has a GameCube or something have him bring that too. He'll have fun playing ball, playing out in the sprinkler, and just hanging out. I'd have them send $80-100 for trips to McDonald's, the zoo, movies, Putt-Putt and stuff like that that you may do.

By Andi on Sunday, July 3, 2005 - 06:16 pm:

I woulden't think it would cost that much to feed an 8 year old...I'm sure he will eat whatever you guys do. We took care of my Niece for the summer when she was 11 and they gave her spending money but I didn't ask for any money for food.

I guess if you want extra spending money for movies and stuff like Pam suggested I would have them give you $100 for him to spend while he is with you.

By Amy~moderator on Sunday, July 3, 2005 - 08:04 pm:

I'm keeping my younger brother and sister, ages 12 and 10 for 2 weeks. My mom sent them with $270 to help us with groceries, snacks, and a stop at a restaurant on our way back to our house (about 5 hours away) and whatever else comes up. We're a week into it, and the money is fine.

We don't have a lot of money as it is, with only my husband employed, and having 3 kids... My mom knows that and she didn't even ask about the money, she just sent it.

HTH! Enjoy having him!

By Tink on Sunday, July 3, 2005 - 09:30 pm:

I've taken my nephews for a 10-14 days at a time and we've always been given about a hundred dollars per boy for anything that comes up. I don't think it's necessarily to pay for taking care of them as much as it is to help with the extra expenses that might come up. That said, their mom just hands the money over when I pick them up and its assumed that I'll keep whatever might be left over after their time with me.

Heidi, I have an eight year old dd who's showing some interest in science. Care to share what type of experiments you are doing with him? I'd love the ideas.

By Mrsheidi on Sunday, July 3, 2005 - 09:35 pm:

We are going to do some tie-dying, and some other dye experiments...I'll check back in with you tomorrow or Tuesday...gotta put him to sleep! :-)

By Feona on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 10:57 am:

I think $200 to cover his expenses would be enough.

Sometimes my husband gives my sister in law $100 dollars for the 3-4 days. We usually just trade babysitting. I am sure she spends it somehow. I know in the past she had to buy shirts and stuff cause I was too sick to pack properly.

By Paulas on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 11:59 am:

I think that unless you discussed this prior to the visit it might be a bit difficult to bring up after the fact. I don't know how I would feel, if, when I went to pick him up was told, "We had a great time. Can I have some money to cover the expenses?"

Just a thought

By Mrsheidi on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 01:29 pm:

Oh no...I was just curious because she had already paid $100 for activities and 75$ for food when she got here. I was just interested in what different people do. She sent me an email before he came, asking me to shop for what he likes to eat ...which, is nothing what we eat...so, I had to go out and get food. Which is fine! The only thing is that I have a 1 year old and it's hard to bring both of them places since he still takes 2 or 3 naps. I wouldn't mind getting out of the house too! :-)
I wanted to take him to a science museum during the week, but it would be too expensive since I would have to hire a sitter, not to mention I would have to pay for myself. I'll just do it on a weekend and have DH watch Connor.
She has only 1 child so I don't think she took into account that I would need a sitter so much for the things she wanted him to do. (She wanted me to take him to the beach...Connor hates the beach...and the museums, etc. And, again, I only have 2 hours in between naps to do things outside the house. Then...she gave me $100...which doesn't cover all the things she wanted me to do with him.)
So, again, just curious...we're having a blast so far and he's just REALLY enjoying Connor!! And vice versa!!!
And, Tink, here's a website that shows some at home projects for science! There are TONS on the web!! We're also going to make some friendship bands with string. He was real excited about that!
Home Science (Someone here actually recommended it a while back.)

By Andi on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 01:55 pm:

Wow, he's still taking 2-3 naps...LUCKY YOU!!!
Taylor is only a one nap a day baby.

If we are out doing the Zoo or Legoland at her nap time she will usually sleep in her stroller or just sit in it and zone out.


Have you tried that with Connor? We also put Taylor in one of the hiking backpacks and she LOVES it, maybe you could do that while you are at the museum or one of the other outing's. I know the museums around here offer discounts with AAA and on certain days you can get in for free. You may want to call and ask if they offer anything like that.

Good luck and have fun.

By Mrsheidi on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 03:07 pm:

Thanks Andi...I will try again with the sleeping in the stroller idea...last time it broke my heart because he just couldn't fall asleep and he was crying SO hard! I could definitely try it again though...they change so quick. I just don't want to ruin my brother's day because he won't sleep in his stroller. Not to mention waste $35 and a trip to Baltimore. But it's worth a try around town, and if we can pull it off, we can try it there!

We do have a hiking backpack but he pulls my hair and he's quite heavy...I'll find out how much he weighs tomorrow at his 12 month appt. He's got to be at least 22+ lbs. Maybe we could try it though? Does she pull your hair?
I'm going to try some army museums that aren't too big and are free! I'll let you know how it goes!

By Andi on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 04:12 pm:

Taylor never pulls my hair and she will stay in that backpack for a long time. We go on hikes and she LOVES it. Usually I have DH carry her because it starts to hurt my back (she dosen't pull his hair, he has no hair ).

We have to be out and about all the time because of DS so Taylor is used to napping in the car or the stroller. We sometimes go for walks on the boardwalk down by the ocean and she loves that. I got lucky, she really loves being in her stroller and on the go. Heck, Taylor will fall asleep in her Jumper if she is sleepy enough.

What ever works for you I would stick with, but if you want to be able to go out and do more stuff during the day...I would just stick Connor in the stroller and go. The more you do it the better chance you have of him falling asleep in the stroller.

I swore Taylor was 22 pounds...she had her one year last week and she is only 18.5 pound, I swear the scale is wrong. LOL

By Kaye on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 04:18 pm:

Let me just agree with what Andi said. If you want to go, just take connor and go. He will adjust and get used to and probably like it! You will have so much more freedom.

What I tried to do was get to the museum early, then by that mid mornign nap, try to find a quiet show, usually they do little movies or something and then we could cuddle while I held my little and they would usually fall asleep. Also you have to remember missing one nap won't hurt!

My kids are all very close together, if i didn't go, then I would have gone crazy! We went to disney when my youngest had just turned a year, it was great, I had no idea he could do so well! (my others were 3 and 5!)

By Mrsheidi on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 07:44 pm:

You guys are giving more confidence...I'll try it sometime this week!
THANKS!!!

By Reds9298 on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 09:47 pm:

Heidi - I'm like you with my Natalie. She takes one morning and one afternoon nap, of varying lengths, but I always try to be home for them (if possible) because I think it's important. (Not to mention the fact that for about 3months at one point Natalie wouldn't take ANY daytime naps and I was pulling my hair out so I'm still paranoid even though that was 6mths ago!)
Natalie was only 20.5lbs at her 12mth check-up last week, which surprised me, too! We go hiking with her in the Baby Bjorn still (love that thing!) but don't have the backpack. I think Natalie might be like Connor for the naps...she doesn't want to sleep in her stroller. She doesn't seem to be the kind of kid who will sleep anywhere unfortunately! She WILL sleep in the car, but otherwise it's her bed and she doesn't like anyone holding her for sleep! Go figure!

By Paulas on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 11:51 pm:

Oh sorry...I misunderstood.

I know how it is with naps. When mine were little, particularly DD, they would nap for HOURS a day. DD still likes her sleep at 9 years old

One thing I would mention...you don't need to plan everything out for him. When we were little our parents never planned anything. They just expected us to go outside and play. Kids nowadays (do I sound too old here?) expect others to curb their boredom (mine included). Go to the library and get some books that interest him.

By Feona on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 09:58 am:

I don't know if you have a park with a sprinkler or a public pool. You can sit with the baby while he swims.

By Mrsheidi on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 11:28 am:

Oooh, Feona...I WISH we had public pools around here! We don't have ANY! And, we can't afford our local athletic club. I think I'm going to try to go with a friend though...she has a membership and can get me in for free. I feel so bad though..."Um, can I use you to get into the club for free even though we don't hang out much together anyway?" Ha ha ha...
No, I'm sure she won't mind. She did offer last week anyway. I just feel like I'm imposing.
And, an 8 year old is down the street and I'm a new friend of his mother, so hopefully they'll get along!

By Heaventree on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 12:35 pm:

Heidi,

It sounds like you guys are having a great time! All that worry in the beginning for not, I was fairly certian your brother would enjoy Connor, everyone loves babies they are so endearing. Not to mention Connor is a Cutie-Patootie!

Happy to hear you liked the science site, try not to worry so much about Connor's naps, soon your time with your brother will be over and you'll miss having him around ~ so will Connor. Enjoy!