Parents of young children, what age would you let someone babysit your child?

Question

I'm almost fourteen and i think i am responsible enough to start babysitting. I know some people younger than me who babysit.
What is the youngest age you would let someone babysit your child and how old is the child?
Would you let someone likeme babysit your child? i mean if u knew me, maybe if i was your friends daughter.

I feel i am mature enough to babysit but parents, please be honest.

Answer 1

I would never hire a baby sitter who was not at least in the 7th grade.

However, age is not the most important factor. For me what matters most is:

1- How well do I know this person
2- Are they mature and responsible
3- How old is MY child

The younger my children are, the older I would want their babysitter to be (if that makes sense) while my children are toddlers, I would want a babysitter who was at least 17/18 years old. But for grade school children, I would consider someone younger.

I would also want the babysitter to have a CPR and first aid certification as well as complete a "babysitting" course. I would be willing to pay them to take the classes.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

The youngest person to babysit my children was my husbands cousin who is 16 (close to 17) and our next door neighbors were home with instructions to stay by the phone and keep an eye out!
I personally would not allow a 14 year old to babysit but I do know people that do. My friends babysitter is 13 and she has taken the class that is given here (NC) and knows CPR and all the emergency situations etc.... the class is for anyone 12 and over
good luck

Answer 3

It would depend on the age of my children and if you had had CPR and babysitter training.. I have a 2 year old girl and i probably would not let you baby sit her unless you had the Red Cross babysitting and CPR training, I would have to know you very well. Good luck

the Red Cross offers baby sitting training and CPR i know a lot of parents would feel better if you had those certifications! good question!

Answer 4

i think it depends on the babysitter i was talking to a 12 yr old that offered to babysit my son (almost 2) the other day and she was way to immature i don't think i would let anyone i don't know though we are fortunate enough to have lots of grandparents and aunts nearby probably 16

Answer 5

Sorry. Someone in their 20's only and preferrably with an agency and excellent referrals.

The way the world is these days I just wouldn't trust the judgment of a teenager with my kittens. Also, I'd want someone who could drive in case they needed to get something from the store. After having called my husband and I of course.

Answer 6

I think it would depend on the teen. How much I trusted you, and if I thought you had common sense. You cant really say any age, and it would depend on how old my child is.

Answer 7

starting about 12 years. Preteens have been known to be a little more responsible to care for younger children than teenagers because they actually pay more attention to them, but in the end it all depends on the maturity and when exactly you'll be babysitting: daytime or after bed.

Answer 8

you are almost 14 yess parents should let you babysit i know they leted me at your age just make sure its only for a couple of hours so you can prove to them you are capable and once they see that they will extend the time for you

good luck

Answer 9

I would not trust anyone under the age of 18 to babysit my children

Answer 10

My babysitter is 16 and I would not trust anyone younger. She is CPR certified and I used to work with her.