would you have a male babysitter watch your kids?

vtgirl1949

Here is the background info...we are going out tomorrow night (tickets to a show that we bought a long time ago), our babysitter (a teenage girl) canceled today and I'm scrambling to get another sitter.  A girl that was recommended to us can't do it, but her 17 year old brother can.  I agreed to it b/c he's watched neighbors kids in the past.  My DH doesn't feel comfortable with a boy watching our girls, and now I'm starting to worry.  What do you think?  Would you have a male babysitter??

jhenry1204

For personal reasons, absolutely not.  But there are things in my past that cause me to feel this way. 

Court_23

My husband made a living in the summers watching kids and working at the Y and stuff. Boys can do just as good of a job and especially if he is willing to babysit, I wouldn't worry about it at all. Go and enjoy yourselves!!

Liss_37

if he's watched other kids that you know and there haven't been any issues, I don't see how there would be any problems with it. 

My nephew is 15 and I'd trust him with DS in a heartbeat.  

sunflowergrl

Yup.  My brother was a damn good babysitter  )  And especially if he's watched the neighbor's kids before it's not like you picked him from a crowd on the street.  Have fun tonight. 

amandopolis

Honestly, it depends on the kid.  My 15 year old brother, I love him to bits, but I wouldn't leave him in charge of my baby because he just isn't responsible enough, IMO.  His friends are the same- they are really great kids, but waaaaay too flaky for me to trust them. I'm sure there are 15 year old boys out there who ARE responsible, but I'd have to meet them first.  

BrittKav

If it was a male I knew and trusted, sure. My grandpa, my brother, my dad...no problem. If it was a 17-year-old boy I didn't know, absolutely not. Boys tend to be more irresponsible than girls and sometimes lack that "intuition" of what to do if something is wrong. Obviously this isn't true for some boys, and it might just be a dumb stereotype, but when it comes to my LO I don't want to take any chances.

 

...Actually, now that I think on it, I wouldn't want a female teenager that I didn't know watching LO either. But, if I had to choose between the two, my gut would say to go with the girl. 

llc730

When I was little the neighbors had 4 boys that were all a few years older than my siblings and I. My parents used them as babysitters all the time. My older brother also did some babysitting. I agree with PP. If he has watched other kids and there were no issues I don't see any reason why not.

vtgirl1949

Thanks for all your opinions.  I'm going to go through with it.  My neighbor says he has younger siblings.  I'm still nervous, but will try to relax about it!!

SweetBaby2004

Yes, I would if he has watched other kids in the neighborhood.

 

emiliemadison

Absolutely! My 19 year old brother is awesome, even with my newborn niece and nephew. He babysits for us a lot. I'd pick a non-relative male sitter if I knew him and trusted him, same as with a female sitter.

Zoie2010

Yes, but not blindly and I would want to know them. But I feel the same way with others. They girls or ladies don't watch my DD for long and I watch their style. Need to teach a couple so we have back up soon too.

bourk997

I certainly would.  I'd be just as picky with a boy as with a girl. My brother did a lot of babysitting for my cousins and such growing up. Also, your girls would probably enjoy playing "like a boy", know what I mean? A boy will probably bring them outside, play "rough", and throw the ball around. They'd love that!

nealbl

If it was family yes. Non Family No I wouldn't. I know it is sexist but no I wouldn't.

 

torrey111

Just totally depends on the person. But I would add, that I would really have to know/have known a guy babysitter for a while.  I have just heard too many stories.......