How do you pay your teenage babysitter?

[Anonymous]

We pay both our adult and teenaged babysitters in cash.

I will note that I am aware that many teenagers will not bother to file taxes or report on cash received, and may very well prefer to work off the record. I'm also aware that plenty of adult babysitters are also taking babysitter cash off the record even though they probably should report the income.

We do not normally carry cash. We ask our babysitters how they prefer to be paid, and when it's cash (as it nearly always has been in this area), we drop by an ATM on the way home and withdraw the necessary amount of cash.

OP asked a pretty reasonable question. I don't think it's that hard for someone to go get some cash. However, if the woman in question lives in an area where the ATMs aren't in safe places or where having a lot of cash in the house makes her feel vulnerable (I have personally lived in such places), I think that accepting a check shouldn't be that big a deal. Just deposit the check using the bank's mobile app, and give your kid cash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid complained to me about getting cash vs. check I would go to the bank, unroll however many rolls of pennies and give them to her in a bag. Teach your little brat to be grateful.

Well then you’re a bitch. Your kids are probably complete terrors that nobody would want to babysit more than once anyway.

THen the brat should take a check and shut her trap.

No one ever babysits for you more than once, if that often.

[Anonymous]

I pay the babysitter’s mom with paypal. This could be a lesson in customer service. As a business person, your daughter may understand that accepting multiple methods of payment will make people want to use her services more. Honestly I would be hesitant to keep working with a babysitter who only accepts cash. Would rather work with someone who accepts electronic payment for convenience‘s sake. That said, if a babysitter were to accept only cash as her payment, I would respect that as her preference.

[Anonymous]

I try to pay in cash but I’ve asked if Venmo is ok and they’ve all said yes and that makes it a lot easier for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeahhhhhhh that woman seems like an asshole. Really? You have until December and you can't get cash?

Also I have never heard of anyone paying a babysitter via check. Venmo, yes. Check? No.

Uh really? I babysit as a side gig, probably 3-5 evenings a week as needed and receive checks fairly often. Easy enough to use mobile deposit.

[Anonymous]

why are people complaining about having "tons" of money around the house? You can't keep $200 in fives, tens, and twenties around?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really, Mom, you cannot cash the check for your daughter and YOU give her cash now? Just deposit in your account at your convenience! Help your kid out!

This. Just deposit it via your phone. Give her immediate cash. Done. Stop complaining.

[Anonymous]

I always pay by check. Nobody has ever complained. If they did, I'd probably just switch and use someone else. I don't think you should dictate *how* you get paid, just your rate and when (end of evening, weekly, monthly, whatever)