I'm sure every parent could answer this one!?

Question

My son, Austin, was born on April 1, 2007. I have a 17yr babysitter who is FANTASTIC with him. She had a lot of experience with babysitting all ages and teaching pre-school kids so I gave her a shot and a tiny little bit of guidance and she's wonderful with the baby!! A lot of people though look at me and go, "You left your BABY with a TEENAGER while you went out?!" She had experience, no records of anything, CPR, First Aid, references etc.

So here's my question (and be honest) if you were looking for a sitter for you kids and you had a "perfect" teen with a lot of experience with kids and a "perfect" 22yr with some experience with kids, who would feel more comfortable with babysitting your kids in your home?

Answer 1

OLDER IS NOT ALWAYS WISER!!!

Answer 2

I would go with the teen. They usually are really generaly interested in the kids and want to do a good job. I mean if you and your baby are comfrtable around her than that is what is most important. Accidents can happen with a child rather they are with a teen or a 22 year old watching them. I dont think I would leave my kids for days with someone so young but a few hours to enjoy a little me and hubby time . go for it.
People always need to judge or believe that they do it right and you do it wrong. one of our school teachers in our area left her child in a home with a woman of older age to go to work the next day her baby was dead, she was like 39. Becasue she didnt watch closely and the baby got kicking and fell from counter while the baby's seat was sitting there becasue she left the room.It casued massive injury to the babies skull. (remind sitter of this )
As long as you are comfortable with her expereince and she has training in basic first aid and cpr, to hell with all the nosy bodies.

Answer 3

You are doing the right thing , you are not stupid and just fallow what you think is best for you and your child, If you think she got all the expiriences in looking after a baby and has a good reference and you know and feel that you can trust her why not.

Dont worry some people sometimes can be so critical of anything and everything, and want to be righteous, as long she know where to contact you incase of emergency and all, your fine and dont worry to much you can listened to a lot of people telling you what to do with your baby but do what you think is best for you and your baby .

Take care Goodluck to you and your Baby

Answer 4

Honestly, I would definitely go for the - "perfect" teen 17 yr old with a lot of experience with kids..your choice is worth considering.

17 and 22...well this age gap does not matter so much since your teen babysitter is so experienced (others also believed & trusted her in her past..right?) and nice with babies or kids...

Unfortunately it seems its a fashion that anybody can judge you and your parenting? Well, next time..again if you come across any comments from people, snap back & ask them to help you out in baby-sitting...lol..look for their expressions.

Good Luck.
(Mom of a 2.6 yr old daughter)

Answer 5

My little sister was the "mother" of 8 kids when she was still a child. She fed us, cleaned the house, did laundry, fixed the cuts and bruises, and practically raised the rest of the kids in our house because we had no dad at home and Mom was working and going to college. She did very well and none of us were harmed. She was "mom" at 10 years old to eight kids. Wrap you brain around that and I think a good teenage girl at 17 will do just fine with one kid.

Answer 6

I would want the person who had more experience personally. On the other hand, if that person didn't get along with my kids, then I would go to the person whom they liked and respected most. If you think she is right for your child then that is all that matters. In the end, you are the parent and know what is best for your family. Don't let people make you second guess yourself. You did a great job.

Answer 7

I feel that if you checked her out and she had goof references than she is probably a good babysitter. Don't listen to what other people say. You have your child's best intrest in mind and if you trust the girl that you hired as a babysitter than that is the only thing that matters. Just when other people say stuff like that to you tell them that they should mind their own business because you love your son and only would leave him with people you trust. I have left my boys with a teenager before.

Answer 8

There really are responsible teenagers out there.
Serious youngsters who take the responsibility of caring for your child as a privilege.
And remember at 22 they are of legal age to drink alcohol!
(Just kidding!)
Actually if the references were equal I would go with the teenager.When she matures you will be a good memory.
Who knows,you might get a shout out at the Academy Awards or The Nobel Peace Prize Award!

Answer 9

The teen. This one time in band, we were choosing our drumn majors for the upcoming marching season. So, we had a few juniors and seniors trying out, who thought they would get the posistion of this 15 year old guy. But, this guyy had a lot of leadership responsibilities at home, and we could see when he tried out that he was a natural born leader. He was one of the best drum majors I ever had! SO, sometimes age doesn't matter at all.

Answer 10

I'm not a parent but I babysit often. It doesn't matter the age or experience it's who the baby feels more comfortable around. Then experience is of course necessary but why leave you own child with unwanted company?

Answer 11

If you think she is fantastic, I would go with the teen. You need the peace of mind knowing your baby is being loved the way you need him to be. I would, however, set her up with CPR and First Aid classes. They offer them for adults through Red Cross and usually through any hospital. Or call your local fire department, they will be able to direct you to classes.