Is a 12 year old too young to be hired as a baby sitter?

Question

I work weekends and my husband wants to join a club where he races most sundays. That is obvieously fine, but he wants my 2nd job (which is a corporate grocery store) to schedule me according to his racing schedule. I told him that is impossible because there are too many employees and I am esentially just a number. So he said we can hire his buddy's 12 year old to babysit. This didn't sit well with me because I feel it is too young and now he is SO mad at me because he wants to race. Please tell me what you think.

My baby is 7 months old. The girl took a babysitting class at a local hospital and I'm sure she is a wonderful child. But I'm still not sure. Great answers everyong so far. Thank you, and I welcome more. I am seriously taking your advice to heart and plan to use it!

Answer 1

well it depends.. 12 is pretty young.. I would say 15 or older..
you need to know if this 12yr old can handle pressure of an active child, do they know what to do in an emergency. CPR is a good thing to know, but most 12yr old dont.. ARe they mature for their 12years? Can they command respect of a child? Are they physically able, like to be able to lift a baby if need be.. How would they handle your baby if they had a crying fit for hours? Would that 12yr old shake it to death?....Have you spoken to their teacher or someone who knows this 12yr old to get other opinions.. Remember if this seems extreme, its your babies life that at stake.. Every precaucion should be looked at beforehand and its not silly to do so...

Answer 2

Only if they live right next to you and her parents will be home. But for a 7 month old, no I wouldn't. Kids that young are very labor intensive and require more experience, so unless she's used to a child that young I wouldn't. 12 year olds can handle older kids where they can get them to color or play games.

My personal experience, I started siting for a neighbor when I was 12. My first sitting job, was for a very young baby (whom I'd spent time with looking after her with her parents present), what I was not informed of by the parents was that the child had collic and a double ear infection. It would have been a complete nightmare if my mother hadn't come over to help. It was irresponsible on the parent's part, and hard to handle on mine.

Don't sacrifice the safety or wellness of your child for your husband's need to race, because things do go wrong while babysitting and is a 12 year old able to handle that crisis?

Answer 3

First of all I'd kick my husband's butt for playing while I'm working two jobs, and wanting me to be sure not to interfere with his play schedule.

Then I'd talk to the 12 year old. Some are mature enough to sit, some aren't. It also depends on the age of the kids, and whether or not she can handle them.

If you think she's mature enough and knows what to do in an emergency I'd start off leaving them with her for short times, or even better, supervision. Let her watch them with someone else in the house.

If all goes well, then she can be trusted with them for longer periods of time.

Can your husband take them to the race and have the 12 year old watch them there? If there was an accident or emergency at least other people would be around, and they could take some part in their father's hobby.

Maybe she could take a babysitting course through the local Red Cross or hospital. They can also give you a list of kids who have taken the class so you can find someone who is more responsible.

Think too, with what you're going to be paying this girl, is it even worth it for you to work? Between the cost of his hobby and the cost of babysitting, maybe you should just quit working on the weekends.

Answer 4

Dear Peanut,

I just answered you other question :) Well, I kind of think your husband is being too selfish! I have 3 kids (5, 7, and 10) and my wife and I try to spend as much time with them as we can.

I think 12 years old is too young! It is OK for a 12 year old to watch a kid while there is a responsible adult nearby but not to be left with a baby alone. It is not dangerous per se, but if something goes wrong a 12 year old is too young to deal with it.

Maybe you should look for an older one.

In any case, you should have talk to your husband and remind him you both have a kid now and that this is your main priority. Life has to change. For at least the next 6 years she will need constant care, and that her development is a stake ( it takes at least 5 years for the brain for instance, to be fully formed).

If he shares with you the responsibilities most of the time, but really would like to join this club, maybe you could work out something with another babysitter. Now if doesn´t, you are always alone taking care of the baby, and when you need him to he finds a way to excuse himself then that is more troubling.

Answer 5

I think it all depends on how mature the 12 yr old is it might be OK if you know the 12 yr old and the kids are asleep and not running around i had a babysitting at 11 on and i did fine I knew the people and the kids were already asleep so all i had to do is keep an eye on them and watch TV i had a phone number for them so if anything happened i could call them i think it's a good experience for girls it will keep them from wanting to get pregnant at a young age

Answer 6

I started babysitting when I was 12 and I think I did a pretty good job. I personally would not have been comfortable being responsible for a baby that young. If the 12 year old is comfortable I think it would be ok. You could ask her to come over and watch the baby while you are "doing stuff around the house" and you could observe and see if she does a good job for yourself.

Answer 7

How old are your kids?
I live in California and there are no laws as to what age kids can babysit. The Dept. of Children Services recommend twelve and this is what I went with. My twelve year old babysits all the time. The kids are generally out of diapers and she never watches more than three. She only sits in the day and only when I am available to drop whatever I am doing to help her out (I've never had to). She has four younger siblings so she has experience. I guess I would say it depends on the 12-year-old and how long you would be gone.
Good luck and I'm sorry your husband is so self-centered.

Answer 8

A great way to try out a young babysitter is to have her come and care for the child while you are in the house. If you are her first job, it might make both of you more comfortable. If you are not her first job, maybe she can give you the phone number of a reference or you can make arrangements to leave her alone with the child while you neighbor is home and on call.

Babysitters have to start somewhere and they are often loyal to the first people who trusted them and gave them a break. A 12 year old baby sitter you could keep for a long, long time.

Peace!

Answer 9

I personally wouldn't leave a 12 year old home alone, much less alone with a 7 month old baby. I understand your husband's racing addiction because I come from a racing family. I would suggest going through a nanny service or find a daycare that has weekend openings. Is there a family member that can take care of your baby while you are working?

Answer 10

How old are your kids? If older than 3 and younger than 7, then okay (if you know the 12 yr old well enough), and no late nights (after 9pm). Do a trial run when her parents are home, and you're only out for an hour or two (hair appt, grocery shopping, etc.). Give her two things to do (feed them dinner, get their pajamas on), and if she gets it done, and your kids aren't crying when you get home, then try again. I know 12 yr olds I'd trust with a 6 mo old baby, and I know 12 yr olds I wouldn't trust with my finches.

And yes, why ARE you working 2 jobs while your husband goes out playing? I think if he wants an expensive hobby, then HE should get the second job...

Answer 11

I say it depends on the 12 year old. Do a trust test to see if she's worthy. Like getting her to watch the kids for an hour while you're away, then 2 then more. Or get her to play with the kids while you're home, and you can show her how to treat your kids and such, teach her how to be a babysitter.

As for your husband, he is mad because this is an obstacle in his way, so find a way to remove it. Also check to make sure nothing is making you wish him to not race.

Best of luck.