Using a babysitter

KTZ17 · January 2014

DH teaches at the high school one town over (like 3 minutes away) and he says several former students babysit. I am hesitant to have anyone other than my mom watch DD, but she doesn't like to drive at night so we have to drive a half hour to her to go on a date. So my question is, at what point if ever did you or would you feel comfortable with a teenager watching your LO?

jackson290721 · January 2014

I think it would completely depend on the teenager. However, with a responsible teenager I think it would be fine. A lot of teachers used students to baby sit their kids at my HS. I would just make sure the teen knew CPR/general first aid. Write down your address and we'll as emergency number and stick it on the fridge. Maybe do a little trial run with you home to see how the teen and your baby react to each other. Just some ideas!

blairwitch · January 2014

That would all depend on the teen. Not sure I would be able to trust one that I didnt know very well personally. At least not until she was a little older. But at the same time we have cameras all over the house so we could keep an eye on things from wherever we were as well.

DenverBride2005 · January 2014

We have a super responsible babysitter who is now almost 16 but was only 14 when she first started watching DS1--she was our next door neighbor so her mom was also home in case she ever needed help.

joyfultrex · January 2014

I have been babysitting since 12 and looking back now they must have been some really trusting parents. I don't think I could do it. But, there are a few girls at my church who I know from youth group and taught in middle school. At youth group they take him from me and go do their thing, but so far I have always been in the building, but not always the same room. They are seniors in high school and I think I would trust them, but only if I couldn't get my parents. Both have parents as doctors, and they live close by. One even saw DS in the hospital since being small means they have to bring in the neonatologist.
Could you invite a potential babysitter with you on a trip to the zoo or shopping so you can see how they interact first?

danigirl7181 · January 2014

My dad and step mom left my stepsister and I home alone over night when we were 9 years old. With our 4 month old brother. We lived in PA and they went to Atlantic City for the night. Now that's some great parenting.

Thinking about it now, what the fuck were they thinking?

[Deleted User] · January 2014

I might let my 15 year old niece watch my LO but only because she has 4 younger siblings (one of them born this past November) but I honestly doubt I'd even let her. Why let a teenager do it when you could find someone else? I'd rather drive 30 minutes to drop off and pick up my LO just to know he's in good hands.

KTZ17 · January 2014

@thebkairwitch01, that's the thing. My DH knows them well but I don't. It'd be different if it were one of my students but I work(ed) 45 minutes away. @missymr I babysat constantly too as a teenager, so it makes me think I should be more open to it. To me though it seems like teens have so many more distractions now with smartphones. @asbromle it's a pain in the ass to drive her a half hour for my mom to watch her and it screws up her schedule. It'd be so much more convenient for someone to come here. I don't think I'll be ready anytime soon, but maybe over the summer.

[Deleted User] · January 2014

@ktz17 she'll be older then and I'd probably be more comfortable at that point too

Caitable25 · January 2014

I was just talking about this with DH. We are going to start interviewing babysitters to have for maybe every other weekend to go out for a bit. I think it depends on the teenager. If DH knows them I would probably trust them but would want to meet them first obv

Pink724 · January 2014

I taught many girls in HS who babysat and are very responsible, etc. Many teachers (including the head of school) used them to watch their children. However, they were all older kids (2-3 years+). I feel like I would use teenagers with a toddler or above, but not an infant. I'm not sure if that reasoning even makes sense but it would make me feel better.

mittensonkittens · January 2014

I would hire a teenager to come babysit for a couple hours after baby was in bed for the night. Or for older kids. But for babysitting a baby during waking hours I would want to make sure they had experience with babies. When I babysat as a teen, I loved babies, but I didn't know what I was doing. My friend with lots of younger siblings was much better at it.

blairwitch · January 2014

If you use a group daycare maybe look there. I used to watch kids outside of work a lot...so did other girls. And at least that way you know they have experience and training.

Lelo2006 · January 2014

danigirl7181 said:
My dad and step mom left my stepsister and I home alone over night when we were 9 years old. With our 4 month old brother. We lived in PA and they went to Atlantic City for the night. Now that's some great parenting.
Thinking about it now, what the fuck were they thinking?

Holy shit! That's cps time!

Did you have to do motn wake ups?

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