My 11 year old wants to start babysitting?

Question

My 11 year old which is turning 12 in december wants to start babysitting. She has watched her younger sister of the age of 9 and little brother of the age of 5 at home alone before. She wants to be able to babysit for a long amount of time to make money and to be with the kids. What do ya think??

Answer 1

Since she is only 11, you should probably only let her babysit family (like younger cousins), close family friends or neighbors. It would be best for her to babysit in your home, but if she can't, she should probably only babysit in the daytime, and only when you will be available if she needs you. She should also not babysit very young children.

Remember, 11 year olds are still children too. Just because they don't need a babysitter anymore doesn't mean they are ready to babysit. Be honest with your self: what if you daughter was babysitting and a young child started choking? The child could die in a matter of minutes if she didn't know what to do. When she is 13 or so, let her have more serious babysitting jobs. But for now, keep it simple.

Answer 2

If they have a pool you can take her into the pool. If the parents let you, you can call some of her friends so that she won't be too uncomfortable. Don't treat her too much like a child, they are growing up. SOME 11 year olds can get very moody, very little. In the beginning, she might seem a little shy. Unless she's really bold, and outgoing. Thos dance pads are pretty fun, but she might not have them. Think about when you were 11. What did you like to do? Remember, not all 11 year olds are the same. Try to figure out what she likes. Hope it helps! ~isabel

Answer 3

I'd wait until she is 13, unless you think she is ready. I would not use a babysitter any less than 13. When I go out for long periods of time I use someone over 15, but if it was just to get my nails done or another apt, thats the only time I would use a 13 year old. I wouldn't let a 11 or 12 year old ever!

Answer 4

It depends on her maturity level. I think you should ask yourself and her, what she would do in a time of crisis. For example, if there were a fire, would she know to call 911 immediately. Then would she know to gather the children and get outside quickly? Would she know to feel a closed door before opening it, in case the fire was on the other side. Also, what if one of the children she was watching was choking? Would she be capable of performing the Heimlich? Does she know basic first aid? I would hate for somthing to happen on her watch that could not only put the children she is watching at harm, but I would not want her to have to live with the guilt if something horrible did happen. I think having her babysit at your home, when you are there is a much safer start. Best of luck, and God Bless.

Answer 5

I recommend sending her to a babysitting class first. There she will learn how to take care of children from all age groups, what to do in an emergency, and CPR. The course has so much information, first time parents should have to take it!
My daughter started babysitting at 11, but only for children 5 and older. After she took the course I allowed her to babsit younger children.

Answer 6

Well, she's young, but if you're willing, she could babysit at your own house to start, so you're there if she's in a crisis, but you could go do something fun, like read a book in your bedroom, so you're not 'helping' her, and she can keep the money.
You could start that way, so you can observe how responsible she is, and she's doing the work, making the money, but other parents might feel better leaving their kids, knowing you'll be there as well.
I'm not a parent yet, but I wouldn't leave my child, any age, w/ an 11 yr old, unsupervised. I wouldn't leave an 11 yr old *by herself*, unsupervised, for any length of time.

Answer 7

I'd say when she turns 12, let her, just make sure you are available and close by for her to call you if there are any troubles. I let my daughter babysit when she turned 12 and she did a great job, she also learned a little about work and responsibility (I just wish those lessons would have stuck now that she's 14).

Answer 8

I think you would know that best than us.
If she took care of her siblings alone and nothing horrible happened then sure... but thats up to you. If you think she can do it. She as well should prove to you that she can do it.

But I would only start out with 1 or 2 kids since thats what she's used to right now.

I've done 5 kids at once and the 2 I watch now are worse than the 5 I watched.

Answer 9

I was allowed to babysit when I was that age but only if my parents were home so I could call them if I needed help for anything. It really made it easier on me, and the parents of the kids I was babysitting, to know that help was just a phone call away.

Answer 10

I think its good to start but you should warn her not to be disappointed if she doesnt get a lot of jobs becasue a lot of people dont have babysitters that young. If she is a good babysitter word will spread and she will get a lot more jobs but it takes a while. I started when i was 11 and had like one job a month but then word of mouth got around and people at first didnt trust me because of my age but changed thier minds when they saw how good I was with there kids. Have her take a babysitting class - it will give her more credit. Dont let her charge a lot either(my advice is to keep rates open). Good luck:)