how old should a child be to baby sit another little child?

Question

i am 11 turning 12 in june and i wanted a summer job like babysitting and something else. give me ideas, and am i too young?

Answer 1

not a child at all.

sorry, i do think you are too young. i know kids your age being baby sat

Answer 2

It all depends on how mature and responsible you are. I was babysitting when I was 11 years old, but have also babysat kids as old as 13. If you're a "young 11-12" then people are not going to trust you with their children. If you're a bit more mature for your age and are able to communicate well with adults, take a first aid course, and are able to demonstrate your ability to care for the children (as in, keep an eye on the kids while mom and/or dad are still home, but busy doing some work, cleaning bills, cleaning, or just relaxing), then you should be able to get a job or two for a bit of extra cash. If that doesn't work out though, you could always go around your neighborhood offering to do some yard work/gardening, wash cars, walk dogs, etc. Other than that, there really isn't a lot of "work" out there for people under 16. I hope you find something. Good luck!

Answer 3

In my area, Red Cross babysitting classes start for 11 year olds. I would look into a class like that before you start. Very helpful and I wouldn't hire a sitter your age w/out taking the class. My daughter is 11 almost 12. I'm not ready for her to be totally alone babysitting yet. I am having her take the Red Cross class this summer. She then will be able to be a "helper". I've had two offers for her to help some parents out while they are still in the home or inside/outside while she keeps an "eye" on the kids. It's a good start. She can work her way up from there as far as her experience goes.

Answer 4

I think you could baby sit for a child that is between 3-6. They know you're in charge and they aren't too young for you. But anything younger than 3 or older than 6 I don't think are appropriate because they require a higher mentality and an older person can better care for a baby and when kids turn 7 they start to need someone a lot older because they start their rebellious stage. I washed neighbors' cars when I was 12 and I offered to do some things for them such as cleaning up their yard or offering to help them out with something such as sweeping the sidewalk after they mowed their lawn. I wasn't allowed to use a lawnmower until I was 13 because my parents didn't think I really understood how it worked and what I could and couldn't run over til I was 13 and had observed many many times.

Answer 5

15 or 16 I think. Yes you are to young. You can be left alone at home by yourself with out a sitter at 12. But at 12 you are to young to babysit someone younger. You could get a summer job like lawn mowing or delivering the news paper. A lot of kids do pretty well delivering the morning newspaper.

Answer 6

Yes you are too young. you sould be at least 12 and a 1/2 to 13 at the youngest to start babysitting very close neighbors and relatives, other than that about 14 is good.

Answer 7

Really..weird! I'm 11 and turning 12 in July. I baby sit my little brother who is eight and my cousins who are 9, 8, and 4 sometimes. I get paid $10 per day that I baby sit my brother but I baby sit my cousins for free. I don't think that age matters - just if you are responsible or not. I've been baby sitting for about a year now and it is hard when the little kids don't listen to you or act bad on purpose...but it's still fun and you get paid!

Answer 8

I think babysitters should be at least 14 and need to take the class. Being 11 or 12 i think thats to young because sometimes you need to cook. Maybe you could mow some lawns. My ten year old is going to do that this summer. Good luck.

Answer 9

Well, in this day and age, I would say yes. Maybe 14 would be better. But, if it's during the day, for just a little while, and the mother is just going across the street, or very close by errand and she has a cell phone, i dont see anything wrong with just trying it out. Also when i was your age I was a "mothers helper" I babysat for moms while they were home so they could concentrate on other things around the house while i helped with her child for a few hours during the day or night. Its gooooood practice and you learn a whole bunch of stuff to make you the best baby sitter ever!

Answer 10

No last year I was twelve and i baby sat all summer just make sure you know the numbers in case of emergency and maybe get the parents of the person your babysitting to let you babysit at your house so if your parents are home they can help you out if you need it. I hope this helps.

Answer 11

Nah, 11 is the new 14 these days. I think you are old enough. Summer jobs for 11/12 yr olds are very few. You can ask family/friends if they have any odd jobs you can do for them in the summer (don't forget to remind them you want money for it or you'll end up doing free work lol).

Paper routes would hire you I think.
Cut peoples grass?
Dog walking?
Theres a few ideas, hope I helped.