Babysitting?

Question

Hi.
I am 12 years old going on 13 and I was wondering when a good age would be to start babysitting.

I am a very responsible person, I help my mom out with my niece and nephews when they come to visit. I am excellent with kids. They enjoy when I am with them. I absolutely love children and think they are one of God's wonders. I'd never hurt a child.

I need to start saving up for a college fund and also a car.

My question is do you think that 12-13 year olds should start babysitting and how much would you pay them?

All answers are appriciated! Thanks for your help!

I am also certified in baby, child, and adult CPR.

Answer 1

You sound like a very responsible child and as I am reading your question I was almost shocked at the great way you wrote it. Ok, back to your question. My daughter is your age and she sometimes babysits my foster child who is four and some kids down the street. Depending on when she sits for us (whether he is in bed for the night or not and how long we are gone) depends on what I pay her. If he is sleeping for the night and we are gone a few hours I usually give her 10 bucks. If he is awake and she has to physically play with him / fix his meal etc...then I give her more along the lines of 15 - 20.

When she sits for the kids down the street she gets about 20 dollars for the time she sits, which is usually about 2 hrs...but it's more than just one kid...two, sometimes three of them.

GOOD LUCK...YOUR PARENTS SHOULD BE SO PROUD OF YOU!

Answer 2

Well I was 13 when i had my son (i know people get the wrong idea about that!) Anyway, i think it depends on the kid. Some are very mature but then others act like an 8 year old. I usually pay my 17 year old babysitter like $20 or $30 dollars. I don't really go by the hour, but after doing the math I guess I pay $5 an hour. To start I think, I hope you're only watching one kid!Good Luck

Answer 3

I started babysitting outside of my family and for young kids (toddlers and babies) When I was thirteen. So I think you are probably old enough or will be soon. I would recommend taking a babysitting course at your local red cross or online. There is a website that I highly recommend. On average, I get payed 5-8 dollars an hour which I think is very reasonable but it really depends on the amount of kids your watching and how much work the job involves. When you first start babysitting though I would recommend only watching one or two kids for your first few times and with ages your comfortable with. Have fun though and good luck babysitting! It really is very enjoyable.

Answer 4

your age is actaully a good age to start babysitting. look to your american red cross for a course in babysitting, they will also help you get trained in first aid and cpr, both great skills to have as a baby sitter. when i started babysitting (many years ago, am a mommy now) i charged $5 per hour. i was the cheapest baby sitter on the block so i got all the business, unless i was busy with school functions or another job that day. most of the time, i even got paid more than what i was charging because i did a good job. start off with $5 and then as you become experienced you can charge more, and you may even find out that you will get paid extra just because. good luck, and have fun.

Answer 5

I started baby sitting at age 13 going on 14. You have a great state of mind wanting to do this to save enough money for college and a car. Well sweetie good luck with your new buisness venture and remember you always have to be patient becaus ethere is some tough kids out there that dont know how to behave. Good Luck.

Answer 6

I think that it depends on your parents and the parents of the children you babysit.
I am only 18 and yes that makes me and adult but i babysit kids that range from 2-14 years old. I think its kind of wierd to be babysitting a 14 year old but her parents dont think that she is mature enough to babysit her little brothers.
I'm not saying that you are too young or too immature because i started babysitting at the age of 10 when my little brother was born. My mom trusted me and knew that i was mature enough to do it. And because I'm trusted by my mother, other parents see that too and are able to trust me with their children as well.
Oh and i'd like to add that I never decided i wanted to babysit, babysitting was something that someone would just ask me. Its not a full time job just something i do when i have nothing else to do. What i'm trying to say is... If the parents come to you [before you go to them], then it shows that they trust you and that they think you are mature enough and i think that, that is when you are old enough to be babysitting. So i hope i helped.
=]

Answer 7

i think 13 would be ok as long as someone was close enough to come if you needed them in case of an emergency. it shows your responsible seeing as how you want to do it to save for college and a car, great thinking. i think 13 or 14 would be a good age. hope this helps :)

Answer 8

About 13 and i would pay them $8.00 an hour.

Answer 9

i think if ur tht responsibe...u should babysit kids for like and hour or 2......u shoul take from 2 to 5 dollars....somewhere between tht......