Is it legal for my 15 year old niece to baby sit my 12yr, 6yr and 5mth old children?

[Jeanneau]

We are going on holiday to Spain with the family and my 15 year old niece is coming with us. We have asked if she will, for one night only, baby sit so we can go out for a meal without the children. She is more than happy to do it and is a very sensible girl. The children love and respect her and she has always been a good play leader when the entire family are together.
She knows not to open the door to anyone. She will have our mobile numbers, and we will be less than a 10 minute drive away.
My ex is trying to cause trouble and has told my son that I am breaking the law if we go ahead with our night out.
I don't know what Spanish law states about babysitting age.
I also don't know if my ex can get me cautioned for doing it.
I need some advice.
Thank you.

[cornsylk]

Is this in a hotel complex? I think that the law is stricter in Spain with regards to leaving children under 16 alone.

[cestlavielife]

doubt it would be illegal and nothing would happen unless something went wrong.... but really, you will be in spain - take the kids out with you. it is the done thing in spain to take the whole family to a restaurant. five month can sleep in her buggy.

save nights out without kids for home.

[cestlavielife]

ps the law is similar to uk law - no minmum age to be left alone but generally child carers should be 16 or over.

but the issue is - say there is fire alarm in hotel and they have to evacuate - you could then get in trouble for leaving them / or they could be really scared - in strange country strange language - it isnt worth the risk. being ten minutes away by mobile isnt good enough in a strange country and in a hotel with a 6 yrs and a baby in care of 15 year old.

or your car could crash or be crashed into -then what?

take them all with you to dinner or ask hotel for qualified baby sitter. who speaks the local language. .

or eat in the hotel itself so you just downstairs. if is to eat in same hotel - then maybe yes is fine.
to drive ten minutes away - no . i wouldnt do it . not the same as in uk with neighbours who speak the language in case of anything going wrong

[seeker]

Of course it's OK! She's 15 - not 5!

[Jeanneau]

Sorry for any confusion. It is a private villa not a hotel and it is not within a holiday complex.
I totally agree with taking the children out with us... we intend to do that each night. It was just one night that we wanted alone if possible.

[seeker]

Well in that case, even more yes! Have a lovely time.

[Fizzylemonade]

I say go out and have an evening without the children.

At the end of the day children as young as 14 and 15 have their own babies, and although guidelines by NSPCC say someone should be 16, clearly there are babies with parents who are younger than this.

You know your niece, you are not leaving the country and of course it is fine to have one evening on your own. As long as you talk through what to do in case of a fire then it is all fine. It is not like she is looking after 5 month old triplets. The ages of the two older children make things a lot easier.

Have a lovely time