Another (sorta) S/O of Babysitting

TXBELLA · June 2010

I know this has been talked about before, how old do you feel your "sitter" needs to be?

My DD's "school" is going to be shut down for a week soon and I am getting a "Mother's Helper" to come and help me during the day. (I work full-time from home) I am 110% OK with having a 13 year old play all day with my DD while I work in my office.

Thinking ahead and hoping this young lady does well and my DD likes her, I could see throwing more opportunities to babysit at her. Would you be comfortable having a 13 year-old watch your child while you go out to a movie or dinner on occasion? We have never had a sitter. We have had a nanny in the past (a professional adult) but I was still here about 70% of the time and she never watched her on nights and weekends.

Just wanted everyone's thoughts

almond1123 · June 2010

I have a 20 month old? No way would I leave a 13yo with him.

Not sure I could work and have a 13yo with him without me getting up fifty billion times.

aprilprincess · June 2010

it really depends on the kid. since we moved here my nephew who is 13, has babysat for us. with your normal 13 year old i wouldn't. but you'll see after you use her as a helper how she does. i wouldn't have him do bedtime routine or something late at night, but for most things he's fine.

rayskit10 · June 2010

i would have a 13 yo mother's helper but i would not want a 13 yo in my home alone at night. not that maybe one could take care of a kiddo, but i would not want a 13 yo alone in case there was an emergency situation- which could be anything from a stranger knocking on the door to a fire/accident in the house. i think that a person who is home at night alone with my kids needs to at least have a driver's license in case there is an emergency and leaving is necessary

trishaggie01 · June 2010

rayskit10:
i would have a 13 yo mother's helper but i would not want a 13 yo in my home alone at night. not that maybe one could take care of a kiddo, but i would not want a 13 yo alone in case there was an emergency situation- which could be anything from a stranger knocking on the door to a fire/accident in the house. i think that a person who is home at night alone with my kids needs to at least have a driver's license in case there is an emergency and leaving is necessary

Agree! My SD is 13 and I dont have any plans on leaving her alone with the LO. Maybe as a day sitter with me there but not alone for an extended period of time much less at night. Now our 15 year old SS I would consider an extended period of time, but not late into the evening.

I also think it has to do with the maturity level of the 13 year old. You will get a really good feel for her during your week. Some people are more mature for their age and can handle different situations much better than others. But it is what they are exposed to.

BritanyV · June 2010

rayskit10:
i would have a 13 yo mother's helper but i would not want a 13 yo in my home alone at night. not that maybe one could take care of a kiddo, but i would not want a 13 yo alone in case there was an emergency situation- which could be anything from a stranger knocking on the door to a fire/accident in the house. i think that a person who is home at night alone with my kids needs to at least have a driver's license in case there is an emergency and leaving is necessary

ITA

kellynkyle · June 2010

I don't know...like I said in the other post, I was 13 and taking care of babies by myself all the time. I understand about an emergency situation, but that's why there's 911 AND there's cell phones today, so the driver's license doens't bother me.

Plus, the car seat would be in our car anyway, so even if the babysittercould drive, I wouldn't want them too without a carseat...Plus, the 13 year olds parents will probably be home, so if there was an emergency her mom and dad could come help.

So if you know and trust that 13 year old, it would be fine. On the flip side, there are some 13 year olds who are NOT ready to babysit, so it is a personal choice regarding that girl.

Good luck!

somethingchangd · June 2010

kellynkyle:

I don't know...like I said in the other post, I was 13 and taking care of babies by myself all the time. I understand about an emergency situation, but that's why there's 911 AND there's cell phones today, so the driver's license doens't bother me.

Plus, the car seat would be in our car anyway, so even if the babysittercould drive, I wouldn't want them too without a carseat...Plus, the 13 year olds parents will probably be home, so if there was an emergency her mom and dad could come help.

So if you know and trust that 13 year old, it would be fine. On the flip side, there are some 13 year olds who are NOT ready to babysit, so it is a personal choice regarding that girl.

Good luck!

I agree. I was babysitting at 12 (maybe sooner?) and was perfectly responsible, trustworthy and able to handle situations that may arise. I would trust my 12 year old nephew without a doubt to babysit my LO - frankly, I'd trust him more than I'd trust his dad (my brother). I wish we had a neighbor kid that I could get to know and then hut up for babysitting.

See how she does with your kiddo and go from there. There is no reason teens today are any less capable of babysitting than we were at their age.

rayskit10 · June 2010

kellynkyle:
Plus, the car seat would be in our car anyway, so even if the babysittercould drive, I wouldn't want them too without a carseat...Plus, the 13 year olds parents will probably be home, so if there was an emergency her mom and dad could come help.

When we go out, we take DHs car and always leave me keys and my car with 2 seats for the babysitter.

Again, this isn't a question of right or wrong but I thought I would add this in case anyone was wondering...

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