is it ok for a 12 year old to babysit?

Question

whaddya think?

Answer 1

I think it's ok if they are very responsible and know how to take care of kids. 12 year olds with younger siblings would probably be your best bet because they will probably have some good experience with littler kids. I've heard of 11, even 10 year olds babysitting sometimes. But if your talking about taking care of an infant you should go with 13+. Any kid beyond 3 or so would be good for a 12 year old, but anything under you should trust with an older babysitter.

Answer 2

It depends on the 12 year old. I started babysitting before 12 for pay by the time I was 15 I regularly sat for a family w/ 5 kids and I would bring my little sister along too.

Today they would need a babysitting certificate or if you know the parents & if they are close by (because 12 year olds can't drive obviously). I let a 12 yo in the same apartment complex babysit our daughter after they played together in the pool every day I got to know her & her family was close for consult if she needed it.

My daughter will be 12 next week and she has 5 siblings age 5 and under. I think she would probably be a pretty good babysitter even though she hasn't really had much experience being alone herself she has A LOT of experience with young children.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

No- a 12 year old is to young to have the responsibiltiy of other children. A 12 year old cannot make the judgement calls that come with child care. No responsible adult would leave his or her child/children with a 12 year old. Now, that said- it would be a good idea to have the 12 year old learn about babysitting- have the parent of the children leave the child/children at the 12 year old's home when the Mom was there. That way the 12 year old can learn under his/her parents watchful eye. It is a good place to begin!

Answer 4

Check the law in your state. In CT, you need to be 13 to stay home alone.

Once you find that out, you can decide if the 12 year old is mature enough.

When I was 12, I could stay home, but I would have a been a nervous wreck if I had to babysit. I wasn;t ready for that until like 14.
Depends on the person.

Answer 5

I started babysitting last year when I was 12...as long as the sitter has prouper training (know CPR, knows what to do in emergencys ect.) they should be fine. But I dont think any one younger that 12 should. I suggest a cours a the Red Cross or Safe Sitters.

Answer 6

some 12 year olds are more mature than others i think that you should be able to babysit at 13, because i know some 12 year olds that act so strict that they could have been able to take care of there on kids, and i see some 12 year olds that need to be babysat themselves, i would suggest asking some people that you know if you can baby sit there kids because chanses are they know you and trust you, and if they really like you they will tell there friends about you.

Answer 7

Kids can now get certified to babysit by attending a class. It really depends on the 12 year old and how young the children are he/she will be babysitting.

Answer 8

Yes . My 10 year old daughter babysits a 5 year old and a 1 year old . She is so great so as long as the person is mature yes .

Answer 9

I would not consider a 12 year old watching my child. In cases of an emergency they may not know what to do. I have let my husband's neice watch my little boy and she is 12, but it was always under the constant supervision of her mother. She needed help from time to time, so her mom was always there to help. If she had been alone, she would have gotten scared or confused.

Answer 10

i dont think so because i think a twelve year old would have his / her mind on other things than constantly thinking about their responsibility but if there was a case like mine. ive been babysitting since i was 7 until i was 13. sometimes my mom made me stay home from school in the 3rd grade to watch my baby sister, and it put alot of stress on me that adults wouldnt even imagine. i would never do that to my kids.or trust any one that young with my kids.