babysitters

kerrigrooves

So I found a couple of sitters, one is 16 and can drive and one is 14.  They have both cared for 6 mo olds before.

Is this too young?  I babysat when I when I was 14 but I kinda think its too young?! 

ssmb_clarinet

Personally, I would not let a 14 year old watch my DS unless they were family.16 is almost cutting it close too...I would go for a college student if it was me. Good luck!

fusionbride

what do you need the babysitter for?

I'd let a 14 year old watch older kids for sure, but an infant? 

The 16-year old I would be OK with for a few hours if they had watched them under my supervision once or twice so I am sure they know what they are doing.  I'm not sure I'd hire a 16 year old as my full-time summer nanny though

gnomemom

No way. I need someone with a fully developed frontal lobe watching my baby.

LuckyMissus

fusionbride:

what do you need the babysitter for?

I'd let a 14 year old watch older kids for sure, but an infant? 

The 16-year old I would be OK with for a few hours if they had watched them under my supervision once or twice so I am sure they know what they are doing.  I'm not sure I'd hire a 16 year old as my full-time summer nanny though

  This. I should add that I sat kids, even young ones like ours, at those ages. But, for some reason I wouldn't have that same level of trust.

Sprite2012

Hmmm....I agree with PPs.  BUT.  I was pretty responsible and capable at 14.  I had a job at 14, and a drivers license.  So, I would have let myself watch my 6 month old for sure.  I think it depends on the kid!

ExcitedMum2B

Depends on how much experience they have with babies. If they have much younger siblings/cousins and have been around and handled a baby before I would be ok with it. I would be ok with it if they didn't but their parents were close by. Other than that, my babysitter needs to be college aged.

Magnolia0808

At 16 I watched one family of girls that was 5, 2, and 6 months and another family that was 4, 5, and then a little baby too, but they didn't speak English.  I look back now and can't believe I did it.

 Do your research, trust your instincts and go with your gut.  Try them out as a mothers helper first if it will make you more comfortable. Ask them if you can talk to the parents of the other babies as references.  

10Nessie

I always thought I would be ok with a 16 year old watching my kid, but now that I actually have a baby, I'm really only comfortable with family watching her.  At least for now.  

I babysat all through high school for 3 kids.  When I started they were 5, 3, and a couple months old.  I was fine with them and think I did a good job, but I feel a bit too panicky to leave L with a high schooler haha. 

I might be ok with it when she's old and if it's someone that I know pretty well. 

shella923

No way Jose . My cousin had a teenager watch her older kids who could talk and she just texted the entire time. I also babysat at a young age but for age two and up. And that was years ago before cell phones were popular.

WVUPetunia

14 is about 8th grade, and as a middle school teacher, I can't think of ANY of my students that I'd trust with my son. :P  DH does have a 14 year old cousin who is very responsible, and whom I would trust if it were for a short period of time and family was nearby to back her up. Otherwise, I'd prefer late high school or college.  I babysat young kids at 13-14, and looking back on it as a parent, I kind of can't believe it.  LOL