baby sitting age

[Rainey]

I used to babysit for family/friends children from age 14/15, always quite local to home.

My friends 15 year old has watched mine for a few hours, but she is a very sensible girl, kids know her very well, my kids are 8 & 10 so not babies & I also trust that they will be sensible & will behave for her.

[jojojoanne]

I was 13 when my sister was born and 17 when my brother was born and in both cases I was the assigned babysitter as we lived far away from any relatives/grannys. It was absolutely fine for me but then I did live with them as well so knew what my parents did to take care of them when they were there themselves.

I think when it's a Sibling (depending on maturity) of course, that's different

My 14yr old son erm.... not a chance! haha!

Well i was thinking of trialing with her siblings, to see how she gets on. and just going out for a few hours. up until now it has been,
grandparents, but they are planning a move in march, so then we'll have no-one..... which as you can imagine will play havoc with my free film showings ...tut

Yea, that's a good idea. Both sets of grandparents moved very far away just after my twins were born, so I had four very young kids with no available babysitters (I think they moved on purpose!!) I didn't mind as I didn't really go anywhere without the kids anyway, but it's nice to know that there's someone you can rely on 'just in case'.

[Diane65]

I didn't have any babysitters when the girls were young so took them everywhere with me (OH did look after them when I went to the Gym but that was it) hence going for it now. I did babysit for a 2 year old when I was 14 but they lived on the same street as myself plus the next door neighbour was on hand and Gordon (the childs father) used to walk me home - he used to be a bit worse for wear so it was a very long walk. I had done a St John first aid course so was OK in an emergency. I used to do my homework when I was there when he had eventually gone to sleep. Good luck.

[SocialFlutterBy]

I was 13 when my sister was born and 17 when my brother was born and in both cases I was the assigned babysitter as we lived far away from any relatives/grannys. It was absolutely fine for me but then I did live with them as well so knew what my parents did to take care of them when they were there themselves.

I think when it's a Sibling (depending on maturity) of course, that's different

My 14yr old son erm.... not a chance! haha!

Well i was thinking of trialing with her siblings, to see how she gets on. and just going out for a few hours. up until now it has been,
grandparents, but they are planning a move in march, so then we'll have no-one..... which as you can imagine will play havoc with my free film showings ...tut

That's not a bad idea it will let you get a full grasp of how she will cope and also it will let her get a feel for it and she will be able to work out if it is something that she will enjoy doing too, good luck with it xoxox

[akh43]

I think it all depends on the individual at 14 some would be ok others not.

I remember being left to watch my baby sister who was only 9 years younger than I, that was in the 60's and things were a lot different then.

I only had grandparents and my baby sister above look after my 2 children, if no babysitters they came with me or I didnt go. I agree it is a big responsibility to put on a teenager. I think I was a bit over-protective though, as my daughter is always telling me as I wouldnt even let her get the bus to school till she was well into her teens. I remember my ex leaving my 2 children alone after he picked them up from school when they were approx 8 and 11 and I was furious when I found out, one reason he is an ex.

I think its a good idea to see how she is with siblings to see how she fares.