{
  "id": 19654930,
  "title": "I paid my friend's 12-year-old to play with my little ones while I did housework. For months, it was a lifeline.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/i-paid-my-friends-12-year-old-to-play-with-my-little-ones-while-i-did",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-12T13:26:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/paid-kid-to-play-with-my-kids-hired-help-2026-11"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Solo parenting was challenging for the author, who had to balance her responsibilities while her children were confined at home during the pandemic. Her husband could not assist due to work commitments, and they lacked the financial means for a babysitter. In response, the author hired a 12-year-old son of a friend to play with her young children for a few hours each week. The kids enjoyed the company, and the arrangement proved beneficial for everyone involved. The mother's helper engaged the children in various activities, allowing the mother to attend to housework and personal matters. The 12-year-old received $15 per week, creating a mutually advantageous situation. Although the arrangement lasted only about ten months, the author believes it could be a valuable solution for other stay-at-home parents in similar circumstances.",
  "summary": "Paying my friend's tween son to play with my little kids for a few hours was cheaper than a babysitter, and the arrangement was a win-win for us all.",
  "key_points": [
    "Author hired a 12-year-old friend's son to play with her children weekly.",
    "The 12-year-old received $15 per week for the childcare arrangement.",
    "The arrangement lasted about ten months, providing a lifeline for solo parenting."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}