Should I hire this baby-sitter??

Question

I have 3 children. Charianna Rose- 4 Danielle Elizabeth-2 and Caroline Scarlett-5 months
There is a girl that lives across the street whose mom keeps telling me that she can baby-sit, and would love to baby-sit my children. The girl is 13 and will turn 14 in January. She seems very nice and her mother and I are very good friends. She plays with them sometimes. And the girls seem to like her... but she would be the youngest baby-sitter to ever watch them. How do ya'll feel about it??

Answer 1

I think it sounds fine. Just don't leave her for too long!

Answer 2

5

Answer 3

I would ask this girl to be a "mother's helper" for you before actually having her baby sit. Have her come over a few times for a whole afternoon, to care for and entertain the children while you are still at home, but doing something else. That way, you can quietly observe her interacting with them for a long period of time, while still giving her the experience of watching them. If you like what you see, then go ahead and engage her as a babysitter. If you're concerned about certain things, let her know right away, so she learns how to do it right (for example, you could say to her, "You put on Caroline's diaper just a little too tight. This is how I fasten the tabs.") Before you know it, she'll be doing things just the way you want them, and you'll feel comfortable with her as a sitter.

Answer 4

Here is something to consider...

Toddlers drown in pond while baby sitter naps

Two toddlers who wandered away from home while their teenage baby sitter slept accidentally drowned in a nearby pond, officials said.

Associated Press

Last update: May 31, 2007 – 12:28 PM

WATERFORD, Pa. - Two toddlers who wandered away from home while their teenage baby sitter slept accidentally drowned in a nearby pond, officials said.
The baby sitter told authorities she put the girls down for a nap Wednesday and then took one herself. When she awoke, 20-month-old Jenna Walker and 2-year-old Maggie Kovski were gone, she said.

The baby sitter found their bodies floating in a small fishing pond about 100 yards away from the home and frantically tried to help them.

When emergency workers arrived, the girls had no pulse and were not breathing, said Chris Barber, one of the first rescuers at the scene.

"She was performing CPR, and when I got there, I started CPR on the youngest one,'' Barber said.

Authorities did not identify the 18-year-old sitter. She was a relative of Jenna and lived in the house in this rural town in Pennsylvania's northwestern corner, 15 miles south of Erie. Maggie was a neighbor.

A woman who answered the phone at the Walker home said the family did not want to talk about the accident. The Associated Press could not locate a telephone number for Kovski's family.

Police would not provide further details about the case, including where the girls were put down for their naps.

Coroner Lyell Cook determined that the girls drowned and ruled the deaths accidental.

The ruling would not preclude criminal charges if investigators determined the baby sitter was negligent or reckless, Cook said.

District Attorney Brad Foulk did not return a phone call Thursday.

Answer 5

I wouldn't leave them in her care for any longer than 30mins-1hours. Just quick errands at first, and only if her mother is across the street. Let this go on for awhile. The more she proves herself, and the older/more experience she gets try being away for longer periods of time. I think I was 15, going on 16 when I babysat for three little girls, the youngest was an infant at the time. Hope this helped.

Answer 6

I'd say yes, but only if her mother would be available as backup, since they live only across the street. With a two year old and baby, plus a lively 4 yr old, I'd want to know that an adult could be called upon for help- which may never be needed, but hey......... knowing the mom is nearby could be priceless. Once she gets a little more experience, you could move away from the mother's supervision.

Answer 7

What about having her watch your older 2 kids while you run a few errands with your 5 month old? This will give her some experience, and as she (and your baby) gets older, you can start leaving her with all 3.

i started babysitting when i was 12.....the first family i watched had a 6 year old, 3 year old, and a 13 month old......i was only allowed to babysit them when my mother was home in case i needed help....

Answer 8

I dunno...maybe the older two, but 3 kids w/ the youngest being 5 months seems like it may be too much for a 13 yr old...I would probably not do it....but it all up ot you and how comfortable you are w/ leaving your children in her care

Answer 9

I wouldn't thats a lot of kids for a 13/14 year old to handle. She may have every good intention but she may get overwelhmed or sidetracked easily. I would say ok if you just has 1 child but 3 sounds like to many

Answer 10

I started babysitting at age 12 and was in high demand since I was young enough to want to play with the kids rather than talk on the phone with my friends. I took a Red Cross Class in babysitting and learned everything including CPR. Try her on a short outing and see how it goes. Or else take her with you somewhere and have her help out to see how she interacts with the children.

Answer 11

Probably ok- maybe for a quick shopping trip or dinner out. I babysat sometimes when I was that age, and then full-time when I was 15. (an overnight thing when I was in 10th grade) I was always VERY responsible with the kids I watched.