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s/o What the youngest you'd allow babysit?

shopgirl78shopgirl78 member
in Parenting
My view has changed on this over the years.  Right now, I am counting down the days until our neighbor (next door) turns 12.   (At that time, my youngest will be 3, oldest will be 8).   And her grandparents (guardians) will be right next door. We've known this girl for years and her family is great.   [Poll]

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Re: s/o What the youngest you'd allow babysit?

  • AnnapolisLariAnnapolisLari member

    I started babysitting at 11 and the girl that I will be using as a mother's helper this summer is also 11.

    I guess 'alone in the house with the kids until late at night', I wouldn't use a kid under 13. I'd prefer an older teen not because the younger ones aren't capable, but because DS is a pain in the ass at bedtime and I wouldn't wish that on a kid. :-)

    AKA KnittyB*tch
    DS - December 2006
    DD - December 2008

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  • dnagaldnagal

    Right now I hire daycare teachers, so adults with childcare training.  Maybe once my kids are more self-sufficient I might consider a teenager.  

    But gosh, 13 seems like a baby to me.  Can't imagine a 13 year old making clear-headed choices in an emergency, but I'm sure it depends on the kid.   

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  • MaxandRubyMaxandRuby member
    At this point in time, 18 is the youngest but 19 being the youngest is preferred (basically the person needs to be in college). I'm guessing the older my kids get I'll lower the age of the babysitter but with a special needs child I'm just not comfortable going younger then college age right now.
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  • ak1234ak1234
    Alone?  I would say an adult (like college student/18). I babysit (6 mo+ babies on up) from the time I was 10 or so, but my mom was always in the house.  I was in high school (like a junior or senior) before she would leave for any length of time.
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  • MominatorMominator
    I picked 16 because of the driving thing. I'm a single Mom, so if I need to drive a sitter home, I'd have to wake my kids to do so. That said, I would probably be comfortable with a 14 y/o if they lived close enough to walk home.
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  • CleoKittyCleoKitty member
    I would probably be okay with a 15/16/17 year old high school student as long as it was here at our home and no more than a few hours. Under no circumstances would I allow my children to be transported in a vehicle driven by such a young person though!
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