My niece is 13 years old. Since it's difficult to find babysitters, she was elected by the family to become one.
My niece was babysitting 4 children (age 8 and below, her cousins) The children are really good kids - independent and tends to play with each other. All that is necessary for them is to make sure they don't get any cuts and bruises, and feed them, nothing troublesome.
Well, she decides to take the bus over to my house, bring her 12 year old friend (and the child she was babysitting), drop them off, and go watch a movie with her friend.
Luckily, it was my day off, and I managed to notice these 5 kids running around my house.
This is outrageous! How do I get it into her mind how dangerous that was?! What can I do? Is there any way I can get law enforcement or some place that can talk to her?
2007-07-13 04:54:47 · 8 answers · asked by Joey T 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
How incredibly irresponsible of her...but really, what did you expect from a thirteen year old?
I would suggest that you have a talk with not only your other family members that trusted her to look after their children, but her parents as well. Punishment is not your job, but bringing it to the attention of her parents to take care of, is.
I would also recommend that you and your family find a more suitable babysitter.
2007-07-13 05:02:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well first of all it's against the lawn to leave a child of that age to babysit younger children in the first place. Charges could be filed against the parents who let her babysit without adult supervision and the parents of the children who left their children in the care of a minor. So if you bring this up to lawn enforcement it's very possible they will file charges of child neglect, child endagerment, and child abandonment on the parents. Which the situation that occured is exactly why you do not leave a minor to supervise. They do not have the capasity to comprehend the dangers that can occur by their decisions. Hence bringing kids on a bus and then just leaving them at a residence by themselves. Personally I would advise the parents of your niece of this and if they don't react in the manner that they should let them know that if it happens again you will notify the authorities. No offence I know there family but what happened if the bus was involved in a crash or one of the kids got hurt at your house without you being there? You would be liable if they got hurt at your residence because it was at your residence and the parents could rightful sue you and win. Just remember it IS against the law for her to babysit. Period.
2007-07-13 12:17:16 · answer #2 · answered by Shannon h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess your family thought she was more mature then she actually is. I would suggest that you find an adult to watch the children in future and quit putting that much responsibility on the 13 year old as she really isn't old enough to handle it. I imagine if you get law enforcement involved you will be told the same thing and possibly the kids' parents will be charged with child endangerment for leaving the kids with a child that is too young for that responsibility.
2007-07-13 12:00:01 · answer #3 · answered by Stefka 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not your place to punish anyone but yourself for drafting your niece into watching your kids.
It is your niece's parents' job to punish her for shirking her responsibility.
However, since the girl was "elected" (drafted, coerced whataveyou) and really had no choice - I wouldn't be terribly upset. You put her in a situation she wasn't prepared to take - and that's your fault.
Now then. Explain to your niece and her parents that babysitting is not play time. It's work time. And, if she would rather not take advantage of the opportunity to earn (yes that includes work for it) some money - hard to do for a 13 year old - that's OK. You'll find someone else - as hard as it is to do.
BUT it's not up to you to punish your niece.
It is your option, however to find a different sitter.
and the next time you "elect" "draft" "volunteer" or otherwise coerce someone to watch your children - think twice.
2007-07-13 12:09:34 · answer #4 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is way too irresponsible to be a babysitter. She would not be around my children again. I am assuming these were not your children, these are your siblings children? I would make sure that everyone knows what she did and tell the adults that if it happens again you will not be taking care of the children. I would let her parents or parent handle any punishment of her.
2007-07-13 12:03:06 · answer #5 · answered by Patti C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't think that a 13 year old is equipped to babysis four children ages 8 and under, UNLESS there is an adult standing by (a neighbor or relative) in case of an emergency.
a13 year old needs some resource for help if it's needed, and in this case, your neice has proven she's ONLY THIRTEEN by the behaviors she's displayed.
it's NOT her fault you've been irresponsible allowing someone that young to watch small children.
punish yourself.. you need it!
just my two cents.
2007-07-13 12:07:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sit her down and talk to her yelling or taking stuff away will just make her attitude worse and dont let her babysit anymore
2007-07-13 13:07:55 · answer #7 · answered by Logan M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well there is no real way you can punish her because she is not your child, but you can tell your family what happened and say you wouldnt trust her with your kids
2007-07-13 12:00:56 · answer #8 · answered by erna e 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋