I'm leaving for a two week vacation in a couple weeks and am planning on asking a neighbor boy to water my flowers while I'm gone. They only need to be watered every other day or so and it's about a five minute job. How much should I be paying him for this?
I say talk to the parents. Some of these recommendations are much higher than my kids would need! I like the idea of a special something they wouldn't have otherwise. A trip to the ice cream store, etc. Maybe a nice something from where you are going. Have fun!
My parent pay their young neighbor (11 yr old boy) $5 per day to water their plants and feed their cat when they are out of town. Caring for the cat requires a bit more responsibilty and they have quite a few plants.
I agree that it would be good to ask the parents what they think would be appropriate.
I agree with Brenda. Talk to the parents and see what they think. I have a neighbor who is extremely opposed to anyone "paying" her kids to do things. She would rather trade for something they like or some kind of treat. My other neighbor doesn't mind having her son be paid money, but doesn't want it to be a very large amount for anything (he is 9). Before reading your responses, I was thinking if it were me, and I just wanted to pay money instead of come up with some other kind of compensation, I would probably give the boy $10 when I got back. That's roughly $1 per time he comes, plus a little extra for making him rearrange, or keep to, a schedule for two weeks.
L., my 6yr old daughte watered the neighbors flowers in return for a fire in their backyard with them to roast marshmellows. Jayden had a great time watering the flowers and having a "job" and got something she wanted in return. No money exchanged, now I have to come up with soemthing for my neighbor girl who will be watering our flowers while we are gone. I think maybe a movie with the girls and an ice cream cone! good luck and have a great trip. Nicole
L., Even though it's only every other day for "5 minutes", you should at least give him $25.00 per trip because of the mental energy required to be responsible as well as the alteration of any other plans he may have. J.
How old is your neighbor boy? Maybe instead of paying him cash you could buy him a gift. My younger two would do most any chore for a pack of Bakugans or the cards. One older one would do most anything for a knife he can whittle with & the other older one would work for clothing money (he's our high-maintenance one).
My neighbor asked me to water her houseplants & keep an eye on her sprinkler timers (she bought a stock of batteries for me) for 6 weeks while she's gone. She's paying me in food-she's got some green bean, tomato, pea & a few herb plants growing. That's enough for me.
Honestly, nobody can really afford to give too much cash these days & the food will help me out more than cash would.
Find out what your neighbor boy likes & get him something he's interested in. Then you don't have to worry about how much to pay him.
We just went on vacation and paid a neighbor girl to take care of our dog, water the plants and bring in the mail, and she also took out the garbage. We were gone for less than a week and gave her $40. We figure it's good to take good care of our "help"( including babysitters!)and they will do a good job and want to work for you again! Have fun on your vacation!
Hi L. - I think $20 would be fair as long your flowers are still alive at the end.
I did something similar to that, but it was my yard which isnt big, and the parents said 10 dollars for the 2 weeks I was gone. Best bet is to talk to the parents and ask them what they feel is correct price then talk to the boy.
