Do you think I could baby sit a four year old?

Question

I am 11 years old. I have two baby brothers who I watch all the time, I have a two year old cousin who I play with a lot, and...well... thats kind of it BUT.... I am really good with kids. She is four and pretty easy.

Answer 1

I wouldn't let you watch my 4 y/o. Sorry, but at 11 you are not mature enough to handle emergency situations. I question the responsibility of any 11 y/o. It's nothing personal.

Answer 2

If her parents trust you with her, I don't see why not. At the same time, make sure you know how to reach the parents of the child you are watching, and your own parents, for that matter. Also don't agree to watch her for more than an hour or two the first time you are babysitting. Quite honestly, I'm 16 and I get nervous watching kids that aren't my nephew or nieces. I was a mature 11 year-old too, and I don't think I would have been able to handle it, but different people can handle different things, so I don't think it's fair of me to tell you not to do it based off what I was like at 11, so if your parents and the little girl's parents think you can handle it, then I don't think there is a problem there.

Answer 3

yes, I think you could, infact I think you would make a more attentive sitter than a older woman. You have the energy to keep up with a 4 yr.old, and you would be willing to play with the child. My nieces make the best little helpers, they have a better attitude toward the children. But before you consider this, make sure you will only be babysitting for just a couple hrs, so you wont be overwelmed. Stay off the phone, and keep a close eye on them, kids can get into a lot of danger, matches, meds, the bathroom etc...especially at age 4. Last, their should be an older sibling or parent with you, you should not be left at home alone at your age. Maybe when your 15 or 16.

Answer 4

I'm sure you are very, very good with the children & watch them well but consider this. Would you know what to do if the 4yo started choking? Somebody broke into your house? a fire started or the 4 y.o decided they were going to run out on the street despite what you say or do. All these can be life threatening situations. You don't want to be responsible for these things if they should happen. I have an 11 yo daughter & 2 young boys & she is very good with them & responsible but i would not want her to take on that responsibility by herself, although i'm happy for her to watch them for brief periods while i am at home with them all.

Answer 5

Not likely.

I would never leave my children alone with someone that young.

Of course I used to BEG people to let me babysit their kids when I was only 7 years old, and of course nobody let me until I was 14 and had completed a CPR course offered by the YMCA. Most people don't want to leave their children with someone too young to drive in case they need to take the child somewhere in the case of an emergency.

Don't take it personally, just get some more practice in at your local church nursery (if they'll let you volunteer) and take a CPR or a babysitting class, if your parents will let you. You have LOTS of babysitting years ahead of you!

Answer 6

I think a four year old is a pretty easy age for you to handle. At that age you can capture their attention fairly easy with songs and games, or maybe some stories. Let them answer a lot of questions. You could tell the little one to tell you a story,a four year old mind is pretty adventurous.

Answer 7

I think for short periods, like the parents going to a movie or dinner, it's fine. I would try to plan out activities before I get there, so there aren't periods where she disappears, and you don't know what she's doing. All accidents are avoidable, and as long as you keep a close eye on her, everything should be just fine.

Answer 8

Ask the mummy if she has those magic paint books which you purely use water and paint. deliver colorations, get glue and decrease paper and enable them to make a paper they'd placed on the refrigerator. attempt doing some dance and coaching it to them. like the hokie pokie style of element. you want not be the entertainer, dont rush around to maintain each and every 2nd busy, young ones like time purely fiddling with thier own toy too.

Answer 9

As long as she's a relatively normal four year old kid, you should be fine. They're lots of fun at that age and there's no diapers to change.

Answer 10

You sound pretty mature for your age,and that's my thing when choosing baby-sitters.I know grown ups who i wouldn't leave my kids with,but my regular babysitter is only 12.She is extremely mature and capable,so i guess it would be up to the parents of the child.