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Success after IF
TTC since Dec '04
Severe MFI-diagnosed 12/06
3 failed Fresh IVFs
FET #1 - BFP!! 2 blasts tx on day 6.
Beta #1 8dp6dt = 56, Beta #2 = 600, Beta #3 = 5600
My Blog
s/o: home alone - do you use teen babysitters?
I babysat all the time from age 11 or 12. As I stated in the home alone post below, in 7th grade, I was the go to sitter for a family of five boys that included a newborn and 2 y/o twins. I always said I would leave my kids with teen sitters and yet Eliza is 13mo and we haven't done it yet...
If I found the right person, I would, but I haven't even looked or asked around. I need to do that because my mom works crazy hours and my IL's are kind of a pain about babysitting, so it would be SO nice to have a go to sitter...and I do believe it is really important for kids to stay with people other than family, but it makes me a little anxious...
Do you use teen sitters? Age? How did you find them?
TTC since Dec '04
Severe MFI-diagnosed 12/06
3 failed Fresh IVFs
FET #1 - BFP!! 2 blasts tx on day 6.
Beta #1 8dp6dt = 56, Beta #2 = 600, Beta #3 = 5600
My Blog
This discussion has been closed.
Re: s/o: home alone - do you use teen babysitters?
Doesn't an 11 or 12 year old seem too young to leave your baby with? But, I babysat at that age, too. Before we moved, we had our friend's oldest daughter babsit. She was 12 and the oldest of 5 and I trusted her completely. And she adored my girls.
I have also used the high school daughter of one of DH's co-workers.
We usually find out babysitters through church, DH's work or friends.
The babysitter we use the most is 19, when she can't do it we use her sister who just turned 16. They used to be our neighbors and we are close to the whole family. Andrew loves it when they babysitt!!
My whole family is in the area, so we are very lucky because usually someone is always available to babysit.
That being said, I have used teenage sitters a couple times. One is my half-sister who is almost 18. She has been sitting for us since she was about 15, but I don't leave her at night. I love her to death, but she isn't the brightest bulb in the pack when it comes to common sense, so that makes me nervous.
The other girl I use is my aunt's best friend's daughter. She is 16 and we have only used her during the day.
I have a 15 and a 17 yo that I use. They are the daughters of friends and very responsible. The 17yo has a 17mo old sister so I'm confident that she knows how to treat DD.
You could call your local church's youth group and aske the pastors if there are any girls they could rec for you. Also, I got a babysitting job in High School because the mom called the guidance office and asked the councilors to recc someone. Just a thought. Good luck!
I was actually just recently having this conversation with my aunt. I started babysitting when I was 12 (I was the regular sitter for our neighbor who was about DD's age). I don't think I would leave DD with anyone that age now! That just seems so young!
My cousins are great with DD. However, my aunt said that she wouldn't be comfortable leaving either of them alone with her, at least not for a very long period of time. They are 12 and 16. Her rationale was that there are way too many distractions for them now (internet/texting on the phone, ipod, tv, computer) and she doesn't trust them to ignore these temptations. I have to agree with her, at least about my cousins (as much as I love them!!)
If I knew and trusted someone, I would probably be ok with a teenager watching DD. But I would have to really know them well... and have recommendations from other people too. My good friend lives a few minutes away from me and she has teenage neighbors that watch her boys. I may ask for their info at some point. DH and I have only left DD a few times and that was with either my brother, my aunt, MIL, or my dad and step-mother. It would be nice to have someone to call so that we could go out to dinner or a movie once in awhile!
Our babysitter is 17-years-old. She's our neighbor and 90% of the time when she is baby sitting one or both of her parents are home. DH and I hang out with her parents quite a bit so we're very comfortable with the whole family and they adore Hannah. I started out having her watch Hannah this past summer and for the first 5 times it was while I was at home. I'd have her come over in the evening (when DH was OOT) and play with H while I cooked dinner. We'd eat together and I'd let her feed H and then they'd play while I cleaned up and we'd do her bedtime routine together as well. After that I'd have her babysit while I'd run short errands like the grocery store until I was confident enough to leave her for longer periods of time. She's great with Hannah and when I tell Hannah her sitter is coming over she waits by the door for her and screams (out of happiness) when she sees her.
I started babysitting for my neighbors when I was 12. It was for very short periods of time and my parents were always home as backup. I don't think I'm ready for a 12-year-old or if I'll ever be ready for someone that young to watch my kids alone but as a helper while I'm home I think it would be great!
Clomid M/C 8 weeks 2/08 *IVF #1-DD born 3/09
*Surprise BFP-T18 baby lost at 13w 1/10 *FET #1-DS born 2/11