what is the youngest age child you would allow to babysit, and for what length of time?

Question

my neighbors daughter just turned 9 and my kids are 3 and 14 months...

What is the youngest age babysitter you have used for what age children?

not sure if i was clear....

how old is your babysitter? What is the youngest age sitter you would use?

i wouldnt leave my kids with her NOW! I know shes too young... just wondering when she'll be old enough. i dont know any other babysitting aged children so just curious when this girl will be ready! thanks for your help!

AGAIN: I KNOW SHE IS TOO YOUNG NOW!!!

Answer 1

I wouldn't use a 9 year old, unless it was for a 'mother's helper' to watch the little ones while i was home so i could get stuff done. That is waay to young, they can't even begin to make appropriate decisions in an emergency- they're not old enough to be left alone, never mind watch other kids alone. Our babysitter we use a few times a year is 15 or 16.

Answer 2

My daughter is turning 3 in October and I have a three month old son. I just found a great babysitter for them. She is 13 and will turn 14 in September. My mother in law thought I was joking when I told her I was going to have a 14 year old babysit the kids. We are always within 10 minutes from home and usually only gone about 3 hours for dinner. I really feel very comfortable with her and have spent a lot of time with her with my kids and she is great. I don't think I would personally use anyone under the age of 13--a nine year old may be okay if the kids are having a good day, but what if an emergency would occur? Choking, physical injury? Would this young girl know what to do in an emergency?

If it were me, the only way I would be comfortable with it would be if I knew the girls parents and the kids were going to their house with the nine year old and her parents. That way if there was an emergency or even if both kids were having a "meltdown" the mother of the nine year old would be there to help.

Answer 3

I've let my sister and cousins babysit at 14. This was 2 years ago so my children would have been 6 and 2. I would let a responsible 14 year old watch my 3 children who are now 8, 4 and 1 1/2. I starting babysitting when I was 12 and by 13 was watching my 6 cousins, the youngest was 2, oldest was 6 (blended family). I never once had a problem.

Answer 4

No less than age 13 for a toddler and older for a baby. I think babysitting has more to do with the babysitters maturity and if they like children and have common sense in emergencies than age. However for legal purposes most states have guidelines for how old the sitter must be and you may have legal problems if you use a sitter that is not old enough.

Answer 5

I started babysitting when I was 9-- but it was just for the neighbors, and never longer than 30 minutes (while parent went to post office to pick up a package or some such). And my mom was always a few doors down if anything went wrong. I didn't start serious babysitting till I was 12 (after taking a babysitting class).

Even so... I think 9 seems a little young. I grew up in a very tight nit community and the children I watched minded very well. And this was some 15 years ago

Answer 6

i started watching my younger siblings when i was about 13, they were only two and three years younger than me. I started babysitting for younger children and babies in high school. the families other baby sitters were all my age or older. If you are thinking about leaving your kids with the 9 year old... NO WAY! (but i don't think that's what you were talking about) I wouldn't leave my babies with anyone that wasn't old enough to drive if there was an emergency that they needed to leave. I think the 9 year old might do alright with a younger baby sitter but only for shore periods of time like a few hours tops. hope this helps. ALWAYS get references for a new sitter too! (I don't have kids so this is all opinion based and also my thought from babysitting and what I felt comfortable with at that time in my life)

Answer 7

It would depend a great deal on the maturity of the child.

You MUST check with your local social services department because there may be a law in your area that determines the lowest acceptable babysitter age of a non-related child.

Personally, I wouldn't use a child less than 12-13 years of age. And that child would have to be extremely responsible, and have adults at their beck and call in case of an emergency (for example, a helpful neighbor).

Three year olds and fourteen month olds are very high maintenance, and can be trying for the most patient adult. You're asking an awful lot of a nine year old.

In most states, a nine year old can't be left home alone for any length of time, much less be the responsible party for a toddler and a baby.

Please find an older sitter- for everyone's sake.

Answer 8

I would use a nine year old as a mother's helper, which means she entertains/feeds/cares for the kids while you are elsewhere in the house.

Although I babysat newborns at 11 (back in 1972), I would require at least a 15 year old for a newborn now and 12-13 year old that I know pretty well for the ages you have.

I would also start with daytime, short jobs-such as going out to lunch with friends or husband, then daytime movies, and if all goes well, move up to longer/evening assignments.

My daughter is 12 and loves kids but does get "tired" of it so is still not doing nightime jobs.

Answer 9

I agree, that's all approximately adulthood point and you could continuously do a attempt run with the teen. possibly in basic terms flow to the save or something and are available back to work out the way it is going. It additionally relies upon on how properly you newborn behaves too. i think of 13-14 is a competent age for a youngster to babysit.

Answer 10

Umm.. Well My daughter is 13 and she Babysitts like 10 miles away for a 2 month old for about 5 hours every two days shes fine with it she gets psid 100$ a week