Would it be okay for my step-kids (12 and 14) to be left in charge for a couple of hours in the evening while the baby is sleeping? She usually sleeps really well so it's unlikely they'd have to do anything and we're not thinking of going far. The kids could call the minute the baby (one year old) woke up and we'd come straight home. Would it be okay?
2007-03-16 08:17:51 · 11 answers · asked by Skidoo 7 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
They really are great kids and very aware of the ground rules in our house - they know how much trouble they'd be in for breaking them too!
2007-03-16 08:59:40 · update #1
It depends on how mature your kids are. I babysat starting when I was around 12 or 13. I also babysat with another girl my age. If they are together it makes it easier if something would come up. That way one person can tend to the baby and the other person can call you. Just make sure you set up some rules for babysitting so you don't have any problems (like no friends over without your knowledge...etc..). I hope it works out for you! You need a break sometimes!
2007-03-16 08:24:59 · answer #1 · answered by Mia1385 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the kids. Usually girls start babysitting between the ages of 12-16 so I'd say if they were responsible type kids, there's no reason why you couldn't give them charge (for an hour or so) the first few times you might want to make "surprise" early returns so they aren't sure when you'll return. It's a great motivator for not sluffing on the job.
2007-03-16 08:23:38 · answer #2 · answered by Heavenly Advocate 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ages 12-14 would be okay IF AND ONLY IF:
1) they are mature and have expressed an interest in doing it ... if they don't want to, then no way
2) they are not allowed to have friends over while babysitting (that is still a very distractable age) and
3) they take a formal training course including infant first aid and CPR (that will cover emergencies you may not have thought of, and the certificate they get will make them employable as babysitters outside the home as well
Here's a link to training courses:
http://www.babysitters.com/training.aspx
2007-03-16 09:10:44 · answer #3 · answered by RE 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since they are 14 and 12 you shouldn't even ask that question.Of course they can babysit the baby especially after you can go home in the minute they call.I was babysitting babies at the age of 9(and they weren't asleep),so you don't have to worry about that.
2007-03-16 09:17:05 · answer #4 · answered by Livia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
here in illinois the legal age to stay at home alone and babysit other children is 13 and since you have a 14yr old then yeah id say its okay. just make sure that they know all the saftey procedures in case of emergencys or fires ans what your cell phone number is and all that, and yeah try to make it to where the baby is sleeping, but dont stay out to late like past their bed times so that way they know that you are home and they arent in charge anymore. be sure to set ground rules to obey also
2007-03-16 08:46:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was babysitting at 12 - 14.
But it would depend on the maturity of the teens.
2007-03-16 08:24:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on how conscientious and responsible the step-kids are. Do they know what to do in an emergency? You know how mature your step-kids are. If you have to ask if they are OK to leave with the baby, then maybe you have an instinct that they may not be ready for that responsiblility.
2007-03-16 08:26:15 · answer #7 · answered by CT5720 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where we live, a child can get their babysitters licence at age 11, and can babysit with it...
but the law says you can't leave a child alone until they are 12.
Go figure.
2007-03-16 09:15:04 · answer #8 · answered by kalsmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That seems reasonable but make them take infant first aid, you never know what could happen. At least you could rest assured that your step-kids would know what to do in an emergency, and infant CPR is different than adult CPR.
2007-03-16 08:36:37 · answer #9 · answered by kt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think thats border line. If you think your step-kids are responcible, then go ahead!
2007-03-16 08:24:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋