2006-07-21 17:08:54 · 79 answers · asked by I 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
depending on the maturity of that 12 year old.
2006-07-21 17:10:24 · answer #1 · answered by goodies100 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You can't just go by age with a question like this. It depends on how responsible the 12-yr-old is, and if you can trust her/him. It also depends on how old the child is that she'll be watching. I certainly wouldn't leave a 12-yr-old with an infant or even a toddler, but I might consider it with an older child who is basically independent.
I do let my 12-yr-old stay home alone sometimes. She's absolutely wonderful with her 2-yr-old little sister, too, and some days I'd swear she was my left hand. I still don't know if I'd leave her home alone with her, though. I guess it also depends on how far away you'll be and for how long. It's also important that she'd be able to reach you or someone close in case of an emergency.
It's important to set boundaries, and make sure they understand all the safety rules. There really are so many factors to take into consideration when making a decision like this. Lay them all out, weigh your pros and cons, and then make your judgment call.
2006-07-21 17:16:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont believe that 12 years old is old enough. I have a 7 year old that I ONLY leave with adults. I was not old enough at 12 and majority of the time 17 is not old enough. Children should be just that, children. They should not be burdened by the responsibility of having to be in charge of someone younger than them, classes or no classes. That does not prepare them enough for a disaster. Because even with older children there will always be disasters.
I will never leave my child with anyone under the age of 21. It's just not safe to. But people usually go the cheapest way or the easiest way out. Not me.
2006-07-22 04:18:45 · answer #3 · answered by renee s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely if said 12 year old has had practice doing it before. I was babysitting at 6 for my mother....I am the eldest of 9. At 12 babysitting gave me extra money to buy records and go to the movies. I am to this day proud of it....and I was so in demand that people would book me weeks in advance. I was a good kid, I cared and made sure instructions were followed. It was emancipating.
Though some are NOT ready for it, nor mature enugh or they might not even care. I personally think it is great. just makesure they have the proper phone #'s to call in an emergency ...other than that..I see no problem at all.
2006-07-25 16:14:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The question is not if the 12 year old is old enough.
The questions to ask are?
1. Can the 12 year old carry your children out of the house in an emergency. Can they even handle an emergency.
2. Can the 12 year old be trusted with your priceless treasures (children). Would you get a $100.00 insurance policy on your priceless vase or would you insurance it for millions.
3. How would the 12 year old handle any strangers who came to the door. (They would open the door, of course).
I babysat when I was 12 but it was different then. Also, now as a mother, I trust only a handful of people to watch my children.
Good luck!!
2006-07-21 18:46:42 · answer #5 · answered by super_mom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on who and for how long?
A 12 year old who has little brothers and sisters would know what to do with a 4 yr old to occupy him for a couple of hours.
A 12 year old is too young to watch a baby every day all day while the parent was at work.
2006-07-21 19:12:49 · answer #6 · answered by Plain and Simple 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the Majority of teh 12 year old and the age of the child being watched. I don't think a 12 year old should be responsible for watching an Infant and even if teh 12 year old is allowed to babysit it shouldn't be for long periods of time. Maybe only 30 minutes up to an hour or so.
2006-07-21 17:12:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I dont think a 12 year old is responsible enough to focus on baby sitting and what if there is an emergency situation? I dont think a 12 year old will be able to exercise common sense and common sense is a person's ability to exercise a correct judgement, at the right time under extraordinary circumstances.
2006-07-22 00:15:38 · answer #8 · answered by lady in red 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I am 12 and I started babysitting this summer, I babysit a 4 and 7 year old and they are wild little things. I earn $10 a day for 2 hours and just make sure that the 12 year old has high maturity level and to make sure that she gets paid.
2006-07-22 09:17:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO WAY! A twelve year old, or any CHILD for that matter, does not have the ability to think with the rationality of an adult. They are not prepared to handle emergency situations. There are a million emergencies that *could* happen and there is no way to prepare a 12 year old to handle them all. A four or six week babysitting class cannot possibly cover all the areas of concern. The type of experince needed to care for a child can only come with age and maturity.
2006-07-22 08:26:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if the 12 year old is mature enough and they have a American Red Cross Certificate of babysitting. I started babysitting when I was 11. First, I started babysitting family friends children so I was comfortable. Then I started babysitting for other people. Start with an easy age to babysit. For example 2 or younger is hard at first. Start with like 5 or 6 for you first babysitting job. Good luck!
2006-07-21 17:15:36 · answer #11 · answered by pippen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋