how young should kids be before they can babysit?

Answer 1

I was babysitting when I was 10-11. But that was for my niece and nephew and that was because every time my sister left them with our other sister (8 years older than I am), they'd get hurt, but never with me. I'd say a good age though, is 14.. But it really depends on the kid. I've known some very responsible 13-14 year olds....and some I wouldnt trust to babysit my fish.

Answer 2

Anyone can sit on a baby! ;)

Seriously, though, if the babysitter-to-be has younger siblings, then he/she probably has a very good background for the job. However, there's a huge difference between babysitting 5-10 year olds as opposed to 1-3 year olds. I would definitely want a 20+ year old for infants, rugrats and toddlers, and would settle for a 13-year old to babysit kids 5 and older (I started babysitting at 10 for my own siblings, and 12 for others; 13 before I was paid).

Also, please keep in mind that age isn't the only issue. The babysitter should look and act mature. I wouldn't accept anyone who wasn't literate (how can you read a story to kids if you're illiterate?), or reeked of cigarette (or other) smoke, or whose eyes are unfocused, or is filthy, etc, etc, etc.

Rely on common sense and your instincts, and, of course, references, if you don't know the person, directly.

Answer 3

erm well i think there are laws about how young children can be left alone and to watch other children - i think it IS 12 - but i think that it really does depend on thelevel of maturity of the baby sitter and also the age of the baby.

would the baby sitter be able to be calm in emergency and recognise if something was wrong?

Also, if the child is a young baby or has some kind of illness, then i think the baby sitter should be at least 16 - if not then i suppose 13 is fine.

Answer 4

The law where I am is 12. But my older brother watched us for a few hours after school when he was 10 and I was 8. It all depends on the child. Some kids shouldn't be left alone at 15.

Answer 5

Don't you mean how OLD should they be before they can babysit? In most states the person must be at least 13 y/o before they can babysit ALONE. Now if an adult is going to be there too, then I guess any age is alright, but the adult is ultimately responsible.

Answer 6

Depends if they are baby sitting a sibling or somebody else's kid. I wouldn't hire a babysitter under age 12. I may let a 10-11 year sibling watch a 7 year old for an evening.

Answer 7

No younger than 12 and with at least the maturity of an average 12 year old.

Answer 8

I would say at least 10 or 11 but if the kid is clearly not responsible...it does not make sense. The more responsible and mature the child is the more comfortable i would feel leaving him or her to tend to my children. So i would look at age then maturity and responsibility.

Answer 9

examine some books to the two 3 hundred and sixty 5 days previous and play uncomplicated video games and function some uncomplicated toddler friendly toys like filled animals and blocks for him/her to play with. For the different childrens board video games are relaxing and probably a relatives style action picture (Disney or something like that).

Answer 10

I would say no younger than 15, also depends on what ages are of the kids they are sitting with.