Old vs. Young babysitter

lightgetsin

I am thinking of using one of those care.com type agencies to find a date night sitter.  If you could choose between a younger, 20 ish sitter or an older 40 ish sitter, who would you choose to watch 4 kids (1, 3, 7, 10) and why?

rosesandpetals

For date nights, a younger sitter. I just think they have more energy, they'd play with the kids more. I t feel better asking some college student who doesn't have any real responsibilities to come hang out at my house for hours on a weekend night.

If it were regular childcare, I would look for someone older with more experience, preferably someone with kids of their own.

Aussie45

I think it more so depends on when they're available. I wouldn't care either way as long as the 1 and 3 year olds get taken care of. The 7 and 10 year old, I would be less inclined to worry about since they are a bit older.

Either way, it's not every day or even on a regular basis child care. Whichever one works with your schedule would be fine (IMO).

Dochas

Our sitter is a high school senior (now graduate!) who is going to major in early childhood education.  My son absolutely adores her.  I don't think he even knows she's a sitter, he thinks she's there to play with him.  We just do a few hours in the evening and it's perfect.

kcisthebombdotcom

I would choose whoever seemed to connect to my kids the best. I think there are pros and cons to both.

rosesandpetals

rainbowdasher said:

I would pick the 40yo assuming she has already had kids of her own. She would be more able handle four kids and keep them each occupied. I find that some of the younger sitters don't have experience in redirecting, conflict resolution, and general "tricks of the trade". I have 3 kids and it's definitely more to handle than your average two kids. 

I'm forty and I go go go all day long and have a great energy level.

Thanks @rosesandpetals.

Oh and I won't spend all my time on a smart phone a la twentysomethings.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be rude. But date nights are usually at night, so after spending all day with my kid the last thing I want to do is come up with lots of stuff to do with someone else's kid. A early 20s (probably) won't have that problem. But yeah, it depends on the person, I'm sure plenty of college students would just zone out on their phones the whole time.

spring_time

For an evening out, I would probably go with the college aged sitter. I agree that she would probably have more energy for the kids.   

A few people said an older person as long as they had kids.  I am 36 and obviously have 2 young kids.  I guarantee a 20 year old has way more energy to than I do on a Friday night at 7:00.  I would almost prefer a person with older kids, over an older person who has spent their day/week with young children.

Take my opinion with a grain of salt, though, because I would also hire a high schooler (gasp!) for my kids.

LC122

I have trouble believing that all other things are equal besides age - experience, references, education, etc.

I take very seriously who I would leave in charge of my children, so I wouldn't be making the decision on age alone.