I let my 17 year old niece move in with me. She is pregnant and my sister kicked her out. With that being said, my mom usually watches my kids for me while I work. My 7m/o goes to work with me… but my 2 and 4 year old go to mamaws. She doesn’t charge me anything other then food. But my niece wants to watch my kids while I work so she can make some extra money. I work literally 1 minute from my job, and I work 6 hours a day except Friday and Saturday I work 11. Saturday their dad is off and I have them. So my question is what would you pay your 17 year old niece that you let move in to watch them for 36 hours a week. I’m not charging her any rent or anything just trying to help her out, but I can’t afford to pay an arm and leg when my mom will watch them for nothing.
I’d have your mom continue watching the kids and have your niece find a job outside the home. I wouldn’t pay her to watch my kids when she’s also living in my house for free. She’s about to be a parent. She needs to learn how to be responsible, and that includes getting a job and paying her way, 17 or not. Edited to add… you’ve already taken in an extra mouth to feed, which will become 2 extra mouths when that baby comes. And groceries alone are not cheap right now. Providing full financial support to your niece and her baby plus your own children AND paying your niece to stay home with your kids is ALOT for you to sacrifice unnecessarily. I’m not trying to sound like a hard ass… help your niece as much as possible. But just providing her and her baby a safe home and food to fill their bellies is more than she’d find anywhere else. No one should expect you to provide her income as well.
I don’t think you owe her anything. You are giving her a lot!
She needs to get a real job and learn to start supporting herself. I understand you wanting to help her because you love her, but you’re doing enough letting her live with you. She needs to learn some responsibility and accountability ASAP and a job will do just that!
I’d tell her that you can’t afford to pay someone to watch them and your mom does it for free. And since he isn’t paying rent or anything if she wants to occasionally watch them for free that would be nice but otherwise if she wants to make extra money she should look for a job or something
It’s lovely of you to take her in. But you do need to tell her you’re not going to pay her to look after your kids when your mum does it for free. No one would. I understand she needs money and wants to work but that’s not the way. Maybe offer to help her find a job? Or figure out some income other than relying on family for everything?
In this situation I’d have my mom keep watching them. However, I pay my sitter 11/hr for my kids.
It would be more sustainable to help her find a job, but having her help out for date nights or something will likely give her a good understanding of what she’s about to get herself into and give her some experience. I hope all the best for you both! You’re a great auntie!!
Tell niece to get a job
Keep mom watching kids
I think if she’s living there for free she should help you out. Let your mom continue to do it the kids already have a routine & your mom probably looks forward to it.
I would discuss it with her and come up with something fair or have her watch them while you do something else for example a date night or grocery shopping
I wouldn’t have a 17yr old be responsible for two kids for hours a day, days on end. Even though pregnant she still needs a life of her own, I understand why she’s asked but no point upsetting routine that already works for you. No offence to her whatsoever but she can’t expect to have you housing and feeding her for free, and then expect you to pay her as well, for a service you are getting help with already for near on free. Maybe see if she would be happy to do other things for pocket money like weeding the gardens, folding laundry or something like that. She could always put an add up to help others with their laundry, she could charge $15-$25 per standard basket 
or something?
Keep it simple, dont do it. Have your mom keep watching them.
She is going to have enough to deal with, if she wants to make money she can get a job. Don’t walk away from your mom because that is not just amazing for you but time with grandparents is amazing for both the kids and grandparents!
I wouldn’t rock the boat personally, I’d just keep having my mom watch my kids 
She’s gonna need more than your $100-150/week so she needs to find work outside the house.
She should find her own job in my opinion. It’s time for her to get on her feet. Also, she shouldn’t be putting all of her parenting energy into someone else’s kids, especially at her young age. She needs all that mana for her own baby
She’s too young and too far along to watch your babies for that amount of time. She can utilize these last few months researching and applying for resources. Maybe build her resume by doing some free Google courses or something similar. I know you want to help her out but having a place to stay is a big help already. It’s hard to say no sometimes but what would she do if she didn’t have your help? If anything maybe she can babysit them for a few hours while you have some personal time. Good luck to you both!
Wow! She should just look after them as payment to you for letting her stay with you rent free!
I feel she should be watching the kids in trade for staying there.
Has she graduated from high school or gotten her GED? If not remember summer is short and it will be disruptive for your children’s schedules to switch who watches them for just the summer. You are providing a home for her so encourage her to get a part time job. As much as I couldn’t do it myself McDonald’s or other fast food are always hiring.
She’s rent free, that’s enough
I would let my mom continue to watch my kids, mostly not to disrupt a routine. Change is a lot for little ones to process, certainly because soon enough (when she delivers her baby) it will change, again. That isn’t fair to your kids. However, you allowed your niece to move in with you, so she will have a home. All this she needs to do this or that… yes, she does. It does however sound like you will need to be the one trying to guide her, and she is still very young. If she can’t get hired somewhere due to being pregnant, why don’t you suggest her babysitting another child or two for extra money? It would remove all of this tension. You don’t have to be ugly, just explain it to her. Also, in reality that would be better for her as well, because she could watch another child or two more often, which would equal more money. Yes, she lives with you for free, but if you agreed to take her in, in order to help her, that doesn’t mean she “owes” you free babysitting “ like some are suggesting- if that was the arrangement- she should had been told that you front, however it wouldn’t hurt her to help you out in anyway as you need it. It’s paying it forward. She will very soon realize what all it takes. All mothers 17 or 37, any age, need help and support. Remember, she is still human and likely a very emotional and hormonal one at that, she doesn’t have to babysit your children to make extra cash, it will be disruptive and drama waiting to happen. None of you need that. Just my thoughts 
If you want to help her, show her how to make it by getting a job. I was a teen Mom, my parents let me stay but I was responsible for my sons expenses. It made the transition to real life go a lot smoother, by learning independence.
Nothing, just keep doing what you were already doing. She’s got her own stuff going on, they’re in better hands with your parents. Your kids will see her enough, and you’re already letting her live there for free.
Well it would give her the chance to get money to purchase things she’ll need for her baby as well. I understand the rent but you took her in knowing she had no income. Also pregnant. Maybe she can not babysit for free n go find herself a job so she can afford the things they’ll need. Life will go smoother if you all help each other.
So your mom isn’t watching them ‘for nothing’ because you two agreed that food was enough payment.
Two, if she isn’t paying for rent or food or anything I feel like $5 a kid a day is enough. I know definitely under the actual rates, but she isn’t a certified professional and her meals and boarding are being paid for her.
A lot of childcare centers are happy to employ teens during the summer. Have her look into that!
I would tell her to get a job. Sounds like your arrangement with your mom works just fine
Reading all these comments makes me really dislike humanity. The lack of compassion, connection to family or even empathy. First, NO manager is eager to hire a pregnant 17 year old, get real! Second, her kind heart opening her home should be praised. Family helping family should be a norm. Nowhere did she say she was being taken advantage of. So many are full of it!
Usually 25 a child per day at daycare…
Look up Au Pair salaries!
my 16 year old is amazing at babysitting and great with kids. I don’t think she’d be mature enough though to watch 2 kids that are 2 and 4 daily for weeks on end. Couple hours a day maybe, but that’s alot for a 17 year old. I’d have her get a job. I also don’t think it’s fair to your mom who probably watches grandkids free because she loves them. Your neice needs a job to start taking care of her and her child. She has to grow up quick and that means having a job. She should qualify for daycare assistance through the state when she has the baby too.
Idk if this has been said but maybe ask your mom if/what day(s) she might like a break and give your niece that/those days — it would give her some cash, and I think if she did find a job, it would be easy enough to say ‘I just can’t work Mondays’ or, have your mom take them back on those days again when the niece is no longer available.
You’ve helped her enough by taking her and her (soon to be born) newborn into your home and not charging her anything. I’d advise you to learn how to say “No” to her. Keep your kids with your mom, and tell your niece to either focus on finishing her high school diploma and/or go find a job elsewhere.
How far along is she? A lot of people are saying for her to find a job, which yes she should BUT a lot of places won’t hire her because of pregnancy and needing time off so that could cause an issue. Are there any daycares hiring in the area? Maybe see if she can apply to those, that way once baby is born maybe a spot will be open and she can take baby with. Or have her post in local groups and see if anyone else needs summer childcare in the area that way she can at least babysit other people’s kids and make money during the summer.
I’d keep your mom watching the kids and help her find a job… I swear I saw a post saying uhaul would hire teens as young as 16 to work from home (equipment provided) doing customer service 
Part of maturing and learning the ways of the world. Let her know the payment for babysitting will be her room and board. Life is give and take. Not a free ride.
For family dynamics it would be better for her to find her own job. Many places hire teens and if she has access to drive or public transportation this can help her learn how to be independent. What you are currently doing is working for you and your children and this could cause quite a bit more stress, especially with a pregnant teen.
I would let her know her rent and utilities are payment for watching your kids. Otherwise she can get a job and pay for rent and utilities.
Honestly she should be watching for free and needs to be told that …! It’s good practice for what’s to come and it should be her way of showing gratitude that being said if she needs something like shampoo ect don’t be slow to help obviously you don’t seem worried to much if she’s room and board free but I think you need to have a sit down and tell her she needs to look for work outside of the home I feel like this could go bad for everyone just by her mentality very young and unprepared explain a credit score have her get a card with really low amount you keep the card so she doesn’t do something stupid if so and then help her build credit second take her to unemployment office pregnant or not she’s gotta work I did until the day I delivered !! Life not butterflies and rainbows don’t let her sit on the couch and eat all day once she working that’s different she need to get insurance for her and baby and help pitch in for groceries ect “ probably gonna have to do welfare” they will also have a lot more suitable jobs for her available and can give her work force training she obviously needs it
Nothing. She cant repay you for your kindness to take her in and soon you will also have a new baby under your roof also. A home is for family members if she wants that privilege she shares the chores that includes minding younger members of the family so you can work to pay the bills.
Leave things as is and she can find work because your mum has been there for you and your niece may not
She is going to become a parent at a young age. She needs to learn the hard way. And on her own. Your doing enough by putting a roof over her head
You’re letting her live there rent free. Sure should do it as a thank you! Otherwise get out and get a job.
Nah, that ain’t it. Tell her no
Your kindness for taking in your niece is already going to cost you in extra food and utility usage. To assume you should also incur uneeded childcare costs to further help your niece seems like an unreasonable ask. Her getting a job of her own elsewhere definitely seems like the most suitable option.
If she wanted me to pay her, I’d start charging her rent
The niece shouldn’t be asking her aunt for money to watch the kids when her aunt.is putting a roof over her head, a bed to lay her head down and food on the table for her and her unborn child. Her aunt is putting out more money my supporting her niece
Pay her nothing. She should do it in return for your kindness
Let your Mom continue looking after your children
Tell her to go OUT N GET A JOB!!
Nothing. You continue to let your mom watch them and she goes an gets a J.O.B. or get her but in school. Figure out what resources are out there for a single mom. Sing up for it all. She don’t need to be sitting there watching no ones kids, she needs to get ready for hers.
Realistically, it’d be better for her to go ahead and get a job outside the house bc babysitting isn’t gonna provide for her baby and noone else is going to either
There’s nothing wrong with you paying her a little something. It is a job, talk to her and come up with a fair agreement. These comments smh
Id keep your mom so not to disrupt their schedule. It would be hard for them to chamge like that and what about your mom? Babysitting for a few hours here and there if you need. She cant rely om ypu to make her money. And what about school for her? What are her plans? Shes livimg there rent and bill free because you are super womderful but thats not the real world. Does she even have transportation? Shes going to need to get a real job and not mooch off you and use you.
Not knowing what you make it’s difficult to know what could afford to pay her. I would split the days between your mom and the niece. That way your mom still seees the kids and your niece doesn’t become overwhelmed. It will help her save for baby items and get accustomed to taking care of a baby. At 17, I’m sure she has a lot to learn .
Nothing you are trying yourself. You are so sweet to have already taken her in.
No I’d carry on as I were, she may go back to her Mum and you’ll have messed something up that wasn’t needing fixing
Don’t make changes to your or your kids routines over this. I recommend having her find a job outside the home or working from home. Then, she can give you some money towards the utilities and food she’s using and buy stuff for her baby and herself.
At 17 she can get her own job out in the world which will help build her a resume for her future. Ur already helping out by letting her stay raising ur food bill and utilities.
Pregnant 17 year old in you house rent free is already a huge shift in your routine and it’s very volatile. Don’t disregulate yourself and kids more than you have to. Help her get a job outside the residence.
Have your mom keep watching the kids. But if your niece were to watch them I would not pay her since she lives there free.
Pay her $5 an hour, then charge her $720 for rent, food, and utilities and baby necessities, Or tell her to get a job and keep using grandma as a sitter.
If staying with Memaw is working don’t change your kids lives so you can pay a person you’re supporting. Your kind heart has sacrificed enough of yourself & kids for her.
With that said it’s admirable that she is trying to earn money. Maybe she make money cleaning? I once worked for a service that would have me clean offices. It was easy work. Usually involved vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms & such. I was pregnant when they hired me. Or she can look for data processing jobs from home. If she does get a job teach her to pay bills & SAVE. There’s no shame in accepting hand-me-downs for the baby & allowing family to help you if you’re saving to better yourself. I’d charge her rent, utilities, food. But put that money away for her. When she’s stable financially give her her savings to buy a house or at least security deposit & first months rent.
she needs to get a job, her pay is she is living free off of you I 'm sorry I would keep your mom watching the kids
Continue what you’re doing and have her get a real job. You’re already doing her a kindness letting her live there for free. She does need to earn money for her new baby but she has no business charging you for anything. She made her bed and it’s time for her to grow up.
She should babysit for free for getting to live there free.
I see it as: you help her, she helps you.
But I’d just let my mom keep babysitting them as well
Umm no, I would have her go out and get a full or part time job. This seems like it would be worse for you in the long run. Is she certified in CPR?
I wouldn’t pay my niece anything living rent free. She’s better off getting a job to start setting in reality of how hard life is.
Leave them with Mom . Meanwhile she can keep up the household chores for living arrangements
Why should you change what has been working for you. If she needs money have her get a job. You are already providing a roof over her head. Not to sound harsh but don’t let her dictate that you have to provide her a job that costs you money. NOPE
Nope. You are already doing enough for your niece by letting her live with you for free.
No need to take them away from mamaw. And heck if you’re going to pay anybody for anything slip your mother some money
Let your mom continue to watch them. She’s staying rent free and want you to pay her…nall
I would pay about 4-5 an hour but also split your work hours between her and your mom grandparents love time with the grandkids
The amount of people who think it’s easy to get a job while pregnant is mind blowing! Unless she’s not showing and can get around it until after she starts, it’s going to be super hard because nobody wants to hire someone who’s pregnant, knowing they’ll be leaving soon for maternity leave. Yes, there are laws against discrimination but all a company has to say is that the interviewee isn’t a good fit. They don’t have to give a detailed explanation. It might be better for her to do a little side hustle like walking dogs or food delivery if she has her own car and insurance.
Nope. I’d keep your current arrangements. Shes young and could be using this time to get some education or training to prepare herself for becoming independent in the near future for her baby.
She needs to get a job, then she can be paying for baby clothes, diapers, wipes, etc…
She doesn’t pay rent , you are helping her out. Take the kids to mamaws and have your niece look for kids to watch or apply for jobs elsewhere.
I myself wouldn’t disrupt the schedule your kids are use to to now pay someone. Maybe she can do maybe girls nights out babysitting where you pay her or things around house like maybe what you would pay a cleaning person or someone to do laundry and she can do it while home and help you out.
These comments disgust me. If we’re going by y’all’s standards why should grandma babysit for free considering the kids are using her utilities and probably sleeping there (naps). If this is something you want to do for her I would pay her a base rate then charge a very small amount for “rent” and put it in a savings account for when she’s ready to move out. Also it’s hard enough to find a job right now not to mention trying to find a job as a minor and pregnant. Yes she needs to be responsible and learn to budget and get a job however right now her chances of getting hired anywhere out of the house is very slim.
Have her get a job outside of your house , unless you are including supporting her babies needs in with her babysitting for no pay .
She should be watching them in exchange for living there.
Sorry nothing let your mum have them you are doing enough x
This does not look good …. Don’t do it , say no . Please listen to the comments who say no , cuz we just see it you g all kinds of wrongs
She asked what payment system you think is fair. 2 dollars an hour each kid would bring in 144 a week and charge 44 for rent so 100 a week. You can adjust but that payment system is what I went by as a teen and it worked out very well
I think it would be cruel to take away from grandma.
Sure pay her then she can pay rent 
I feel like she shouldn’t have asked u to pay her. She’s living there for free. She’s using your gas, electricity, water, laundry soap, body wash and everything else that is there and u feed her. I understand she could use some cash but I’m not willing to pay someone that is living with me for free PLUS I’m disrupting my kids weekly routines. I’d stick with the grandparents and continue to let that bond grow and have her find a job outside of the home.
Maybe hire niece to watch them for some free time. 
but not work hours
No no. Let Mamaw keep them. No need to upset your routine. Shes already shown she makes bad decisions getting pregnant so young. Wouldn’t chance it. Let her get a summer job.
Um she gets free room and board that’s payment enough
Unless there is a problem with her pregnancy she really needs a regular job. I would sit down and talk to her about educational goals, living situation goals, how she’s going to support baby.
Oh boy , well that’s a tough one . You could go two ways here . You could pay her a minimum wage , then charge her room and board to help teach her money management. So she’d be earning / saving and learning budgeting . You’d be getting child care , which in turn helps you , plus she’d be paying room and board so you’d be getting back part of what you paid her .
The other option is pay her a flat rate per day . Most home day cares charge you a daily fee . Call a few home day cares in your area and see what the rates are and go from there .
Her payment would be living there for free.
She shouldn’t be charging you 4looking after your children. Considering she’s staying 4free in your home
If she is living with you for free nothing
Sorry to say but I’d keep the original arrangement in place, if you are allowing her to live rent free under your roof your already paying her plenty. Rent doesn’t come cheap these days she’s not paying utilities and she’s not paying for anything else to contribute to your household then if she wants to watch the kids she do just do it. Consider it trade or barter for the roof you put over her head providing her with a place to stay clean and fed.
And if that’s not something you are comfortable with the most I’d pay her is what you’d pay your parents for groceries to feed your children.
She is going to learn eventually things in life don’t always come free and hopefully she already knows how lucky she is to have an aunt whose willing to take her in. Try getting her into a stay at home job that she can qualify for. You can’t pay her to live with you if you can’t afford it and she’s gotta get some kind of work experience if she plans to keep and raise that baby as a 17/18 year old mom. It’s not your job as an aunt to give her more than a place to stay.