What would you pay for an older dc to supervise younger dc music practice?

[HomeOnTheRanch]

Background: DH was going to learn violin with DS#1-3. DS#1 (14) and DS #3(8) are also taking piano. DH got busy, so it is me who is taking the kids to the lessons (and no adult is learning with them). DS#1 has the talent and inclination and progressed much faster than the other 2 (understandable). I have absolutely no desire to supervise/nag/see to it that the younger two practice. If I'd had my way, they actually wouldn't have started for a few more years, but now that they've been doing it for a year...

They say that they want to, but it was draining for me (and them) during practice.

DS#1 is capable and willing to supervise the practices of 10yo & 8yo. I ask him and he does. I can tell he is a bit frustrated by them, but he has a lot more patience for it than I do. I know that it is also helping him, in case he ever decides he wishes to give lessons.

So, I've already told him what I will give him. He's happy with it. It isn't a lot, but considering we're already forking out $$ for all three of them to have lessons, instruments, gas, etc., I can't justify much more before I make the younger two drop lessons altogether until they have the inclination to practice on their own.

Just curious what it would be worth to others.

[amy g.]

I've done this. My 12 year old supervises his sisters' piano practice. He gets $1 per 30 minutes. that's $10 a week from me. He also taught a neighbor's son. That brings him up to $15 a week. Another neighbor wants him to teach 2 of her children. If he accepts, he'll make $25 a week.

[Julie in CA]

I hesitate to answer this, because I don't want to sound negative, but my answer is:
I wouldn't pay. Anything.
The attitude in my family has always been that music lessons are a privilege. I rarely have to prompt my dc to practice, and if I did, I would not have them in lessons. I understand that many families stick with music lessons as a top priority, but if my dc didn't really have the interest, I'd take them out of the lessons and search for what would really be enriching, enjoyable, and take advantage of their individual talents and interests.
It's really, really nice that your oldest is willing and able though!:)
~Julie~

[Mabelen]

I am just letting you know that I will be following this thread. I can see my doing that with my 11 yo dd in the future. How much would I be willing to give? I would have to give it some thought first and any feedback you get will help me.

[Peek a Boo]

I wouldn't pay anything.

If I'm already paying for HIS lessons, i expect him to offer some quid pro quo and help out w/ the practices of his younger siblings. I want my dc to learn to be grateful for the opportunities they get. We don't always start out as grateful-- it often has to be beat into us, lol.

and I do believe that music lessons are a priority, as are math and science ;)

[pixelroper]

I wouldn't pay either. It will be to his benefit to teach/monitor and a good lesson in family participation. As already stated you're paying for his lessons and driving. You didn't state if it was a "token" or significant amount.

[HomeOnTheRanch]

Thanks for all the feedback! Julie, I happen to agree with you 100%, but since I'm the only one in this household that thinks so, I'm trying to make the best of the situation without going bonkers.

I'm only giving him $1/day=$5/week (Daddy supervises on weekends) which is for about 0.5 hr/day. He was/would do it for nothing, but he really is a good kid and I can see how it might resent having to put up with these kids goofing around. I'm usually in the room or in the next room to make sure the goofiness is nipped right away, but it is things like "I don't know what this item on the list is, the teacher didn't tell me what to do!" She did, they just don't/choose not to remember. With the oldest there, he is able to tell them or demonstrate, so we don't have those issues. That is worth it to me.

DS14 practices about 2+ hours a day. He would do a lot more if I didn't make him stop and do his Algebra.

BTW, we don't do any sort of allowance. He sells eggs from the chickens for money (which isn't regular), so I don't mind giving him a bit extra. He really is a good kid.

[Colleen]

...I would question the message your sending to your 10 yo and 8 yo boys. In my opinion, they should be expected to practice (separately, btw) without misbehaving to such an extent that they require supervision.