2007-11-29 06:41:17 · 14 answers · asked by sabby 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I seem to be getting scolded for this, but you must understand that my situation right now leaves me with no other choice. I am a single mom and can't afford to pay for child care....My son did take cpr classes in school, and we hace gone over all emergency situations over and over again, including cuts/bruises,breaks, fire etc.
2007-11-29 07:01:41 · update #1
In PA, 12 is the legal age to be home alone. He can baby sit at that time as well. If it's his first time watching them just don't be gone too long, and call to check up. If you think he is responsible enough, it will be fine.
2007-11-29 06:44:55 · answer #1 · answered by Mikey's Mommy 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I think that you know your children better than anyone. If you feel he is responsible enough and the 5 year olds are not difficult to handle, then it is fine. You do what you have to do. I live in Texas, and I looked into this when my daughter was about 12 and I was told that there is no legal age to leave kids home alone. It may depend on where you live though. I would definitely have him take a babysitting or CPR class. My daughter took one when she was 12 and she has been watching her brother since then. She's now 15 and he's 11.
2007-11-29 07:07:13 · answer #2 · answered by kat 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Not sure about the terms of the law, but I'm a parent. My son 14 and daughter 5. I would never leave him to watch her. What if something happened. I have absolute trust of my son, but it isn't fair to put an adult job on my sons lap. If something happened, he would never forgive himself, he would blame himself. This is what you are doing to your 12 yr. I think that is careless of you. He is still a kid and shouldn't be responsible for your decisions. You are playing with fire here. There are daycares, and other ways. Anything can happen in a few hrs. anything can happen in 1 min. Open your eyes and watch the news. STOP doing this!!!!! Sure some kids babysit, I started that at 13, but I took emergency courses, and babysitting courses. As anyone who watches /babysits any child should do, before taking on babysitting. Also FYI, if something happened, house on fire or whatever, you pull up and police are asking you where you were. You going to feel good about saying my 12 yr. old was supposed to be watching my 2 5 yr. olds. Do you think you wouldn't get into any legal trouble? Seriously!!!!!
one more thing, If you can't handel taking the 2 5yr. olds with you, then why do you expect your 12 yr. old to handel them. If it's working, get daycare, or different job.
ps. I'm a single mom also, still no excuse, get a different job, try daycare assistance through the state. tha's an excuse and as a single mother myself, I went to collge and worked and was a single mother, at the same time, NEVER left my kids home alone, and nobody helped me out, no family, nothing. I figured it out, so can you. Still unacceptable, your son isn't making the decision to be a babysitter, you are making it for him, and that is also a huge difference!!!!!!
2007-11-29 06:53:10 · answer #3 · answered by Maalru3 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
you sound like you have thought about all the options. according to dcfs there is not set age when a child is old enough to babysit. They take many things into consideration when they come to investigate neglect such as
what time of day
how long parent was gone
time of day/night
where the parent was
is there plenty of food
living conditions clean
does the child know how to reach the parent
does the child know what to do in case of emergency
Are there neighbors near by that could help
how long will it take the parent to arrive if something happens
these and many more.
Looks like you have been preparing your child with CPR classes that would look good also a babysitting certification would be nice.
2007-11-29 07:08:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
A 12 year old is not nearly responsible enough to care for two 5 year olds, let alone one. Why risk anything? Call an adult to watch the children while you are away. Anything can happen in a few hours.
2007-11-29 06:45:32 · answer #5 · answered by AV 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I don't know if its legal or not legal but you clearly know that this is not a good idea. This is an accident waiting to happen. I feel bad for the situation you find yourself in, but you need to find someone older than 12 to help you. good luck.
2007-11-29 15:31:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You already asked this question. Thanks for adding more details this time though.
I still think that a 12 year old is too young to watch two 5 year olds. That's just my opinion though. I would contact your custody lawyer and insist on more child support to specifically cover child care. If he doesn't pay child support, report him for not paying it.
2007-11-29 07:33:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For an hour, maybe. But no longer. My brother was about that age when he babysat us, and I can tell you some horror stories. If you do decide to go longer, have an adult there as well, and they can both be babysitters, and both can be paid, as long as the 12 yr old is on his best behavior.
2007-11-29 07:00:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
depends on your state in ohio there is no age limit it is left to the descretion of the parent. In other states 12 is the age you are allowed to have them babysit so there is no problem but you need to find the law in your state
2007-11-29 09:10:12 · answer #9 · answered by Big Daddy R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check your states laws on how old kids have to be to stay alone and to babysit. If he is old enough then tell whomever that he is legally old enough. Just remember that even though he is old enough doesn't make him mature enough.
2007-11-29 09:10:45 · answer #10 · answered by Devils's Advocate 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋