Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 08:57     Subject: 20 something to watch teens while away on a trip?
I'd rather my kids be home alone than that. Fwiw our neighbors went away when their ds was 15 or so and we just kept an eye on him generally and he went to school with ds.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 08:25     Subject: 20 something to watch teens while away on a trip?
My 17 and 14 year old could probably handle being alone and I trust them but I wouldn’t enjoy myself. Instead we are just waiting until the 14 year old goes to college to travel alone. It’s NBD.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 08:19     Subject: 20 something to watch teens while away on a trip?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Haven’t any of you seen Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitters Dead? lol

This thread is totally wild. Some of you have a lot of money to burn. Mine are this age and I’d leave them and have a close friend or family check up on them. And arrange to have them go stay with friends over the weekend part of the week. Notify all of your neighbors so they can text you if there is a party.

I clearly need to start a new career “babysitting” teenagers (there is literally nothing to do, but ok $200-500 a night to sleep haha!!)


People around here are bananas and love to throw away, lest they appear “cheap.” The babysitting threads regularly have people chiming in how they pay 14-16 yr olds $20+ and hour


And then, in turn, have to pay someone $500 to sleep in the same house as those well-paid 14-16 year olds? Make it make sense.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 08:16     Subject: 20 something to watch teens while away on a trip?
Anonymous wrote:Haven’t any of you seen Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitters Dead? lol

This thread is totally wild. Some of you have a lot of money to burn. Mine are this age and I’d leave them and have a close friend or family check up on them. And arrange to have them go stay with friends over the weekend part of the week. Notify all of your neighbors so they can text you if there is a party.

I clearly need to start a new career “babysitting” teenagers (there is literally nothing to do, but ok $200-500 a night to sleep haha!!)


People around here are bananas and love to throw away, lest they appear “cheap.” The babysitting threads regularly have people chiming in how they pay 14-16 yr olds $20+ and hour
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 08:13     Subject: Re:20 something to watch teens while away on a trip?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:No way. My parents did this to me twice. Both ended badly. Without going into details, one of the minor incidents was picking up a hitchhiker (“it’ll be fun” she says”) who happened to just be released from state prison and was a violent offender.
Another completely separate 20 something (no connection or relation to the first) took me to a meeting where they were building explosives to use at a protest and somebody had fat fingers and that ended badly.
These were white upper middle class college and graduate degree educated women.
The best babysitters (as a teen) I had were retired women who had been highschool teachers. They knew what was up.


This, OP. You want a current or former high school teacher.


So incredibly bizarre.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 08:11     Subject: Re:20 something to watch teens while away on a trip?
Anonymous wrote:No way. My parents did this to me twice. Both ended badly. Without going into details, one of the minor incidents was picking up a hitchhiker (“it’ll be fun” she says”) who happened to just be released from state prison and was a violent offender.
Another completely separate 20 something (no connection or relation to the first) took me to a meeting where they were building explosives to use at a protest and somebody had fat fingers and that ended badly.
These were white upper middle class college and graduate degree educated women.
The best babysitters (as a teen) I had were retired women who had been highschool teachers. They knew what was up.


This, OP. You want a current or former high school teacher.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 08:04     Subject: 20 something to watch teens while away on a trip?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Whoever is watching them needs to make sure they don't skip school, and don't throw parties or get into shenanigans with staying out late while you're gone. This is more work than you think it is.

You should pay at least $100 per day.


$100 a day? Are you from 1995? I think you are looking at at least $500 a day.


I don’t know about $500. But I pay more than $100 a night just for a house sitter with virtually no expectations.


I don’t understand…you pay someone $100/night just to stay at your empty house? For what reason?
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 07:53     Subject: 20 something to watch teens while away on a trip?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My husband and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary later this year and plan to take a trip for about 4 nights just the two of us. My kids are 14 and 16 and very responsible, but I still think having someone in the house is a good idea. If you've hired someone to be with your kids in a situation like this - about how much did you pay / day? My kids don't really have activities they need to be shuttled to and they don't need rides to school. It's basically just dinner / over night. Thanks in advance for your advice!


They don’t need anyone. Stop infantizing your kids. Teens babysit at that age. They don’t need a babysitter. Have a neighbor on stand by if needed. Pre-make a few meals, pack the fridge with frozen foods, and have money or DoorDash for 1-2 days.

This is wild to me. The 16 year old is old enough to drive and that is way more dangerous than playing video games at home.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 07:52     Subject: 20 something to watch teens while away on a trip?
We asked their (14 & 16) old babysitter who is now 20 and she suggested $100/nt just to show up and spend the night to make sure they got off to school each morning. Teens fed themselves for a few nights. All worked out great!
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 07:48     Subject: Re:20 something to watch teens while away on a trip?
Anonymous wrote:No way. My parents did this to me twice. Both ended badly. Without going into details, one of the minor incidents was picking up a hitchhiker (“it’ll be fun” she says”) who happened to just be released from state prison and was a violent offender.
Another completely separate 20 something (no connection or relation to the first) took me to a meeting where they were building explosives to use at a protest and somebody had fat fingers and that ended badly.
These were white upper middle class college and graduate degree educated women.
The best babysitters (as a teen) I had were retired women who had been highschool teachers. They knew what was up.

That's what went through my mind, 20-something might provide pot and alcohol.

Hot take: trust the 14 and 16 year olds if they are good kids!
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 06:48     Subject: 20 something to watch teens while away on a trip?
Anonymous wrote:14 year old is young


I have a 14 and 16 year old, and my 14 could probably handle this situation better than the older one. He’d do all the cooking and the 16 year old could drive if necessary.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 06:41     Subject: 20 something to watch teens while away on a trip?
14 year old is young
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 06:32     Subject: 20 something to watch teens while away on a trip?
I would not leave a stranger with my teens. I’d be more worried with my oldest, who is 17, getting in an accident when we are away. That would be my biggest fear since he’s a fairly new driver. Does your 16 yo drive? Other than that, I’d trust my 14 and 17 alone more than with a 20 yo I don’t know.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 04:15     Subject: 20 something to watch teens while away on a trip?
I’d trust my “very responsible” 14 and 16(!!) year olds way more than some random stranger in my house. You know that 16 year olds do babysitting right?
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 01:20     Subject: 20 something to watch teens while away on a trip?
Anonymous wrote:Haven’t any of you seen Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitters Dead? lol

This thread is totally wild. Some of you have a lot of money to burn. Mine are this age and I’d leave them and have a close friend or family check up on them. And arrange to have them go stay with friends over the weekend part of the week. Notify all of your neighbors so they can text you if there is a party.

I clearly need to start a new career “babysitting” teenagers (there is literally nothing to do, but ok $200-500 a night to sleep haha!!)


Exactly!