Is 14 too young for paid babysitting?

[OnTopOfSpaghetti]

Apologies this question has probably been asked a million times.
A couple of my friends have mentioned using my 14yr old DS as a paid babysitter. He's a sensible lad and good with children, I'd be at the end of the phone if any problems, just wondering if anyone else's DCs had started babysitting at this age?
Thanks

I wouldn’t even leave a 14yo on his own, never mind in charge of another child.

No. That is far too young

I remember remember doing paid babysitting for a neighbour at 14. The kids were 7 and 4. It was arranged so the youngest was already tucked up in bed when mum went out and she left a dvd and some snacks to watch and eat with the seven year old who went to bed after the film. They were good kids and I really enjoyed it. Once I the oldest went to bed I got to have the tv and just chilled out with their dog. I enjoyed the responsibility and the pocket money!

Depends what sort of baby sitting.

I think it depends on the 14 year old.

BigBlueBubble seriously? Can I ask your reasons? I've obviously been doing things very wrong then as he's often left on his own....

I’d like to think my kids at 14 would be well able to properly babysit. I certainly was and did. What can a 14 yr old not cope with? Phoning for help? Bedtime? Toilet? Food? If they can’t do those things for a smaller child at 14 id wonder where I went wrong.

Happy to accept its too young for babysitting, that's why I came on here to ask.

I used to but it was in the same village, my parents were always home if I needed to telephone for help (no mobiles in those days!) and the parents came back around midnight. It was a helpful addition to pocket money.

My eldest son did some babysitting for my sister when he was 14 but her children (4 and 2) were always in bed by the time he got there so all he had to do was watch TV and listen out for them crying - which they never did so he got a really easy ride!!

I think 14 is the age most people started when I was growing up in England. Here in NZ you must be 14 years to be a babysitter, I came across that the other day.

Phew thanks Hideandgo I was getting a bit worried by the first few replies!

Totally depends on the age of the kids. I was about 16 when asked to babysit for 3 kids under 3. Was told that the youngest 2 would be in bed asleep and the oldest one would go to bed no problem. Not the case! Both he little ones woke up and the oldest didn’t go to sleep until really late. It was really stressful as I had no experience really and was quite an immature 16 year old.

In this case the youngest child would be 5 and the eldest 9. They're family friends who know him really well.

Dd is almost 15 and has been doing paid babysitting since she was 13. Youngest she babysits is 3.

My ds “babysat” when he was 14. But not babies- he used to be there when a couple of primary school kids came home from school, and make them a snack and play and watch telly with them.

And he used to keep an eye on others while parents went shopping or something in the afternoon at the weekend. No babies, though. Anything you would expect of an older sibling really. It worked really well.

14 is absolutely fine to babysit IMO. I babysat at 14 (back in the dark ages), my DDs baby sat at that age, and I used 14 yo babysitters for them too.

It does depend on the 14yo though, and the sittees.

ChellySmuff thank you, could I ask how much she is paid?

Thanks for the replies, really helpful.

I think as they know him well it's fine. The kids he's looking after are not too young so shouldn't be too much of a problem. And you know your lad and can judge if he is sensible and mature enough.
I'd happily let a 14yold that I knew as a family friend to look after my kids over 5. I was babysitting at 14/15 but my brothers exW did flip at him once for leaving me at 16 looking after 13yold niece

Blimey I can barely cope with 2 under 3 and I'm pushing forty. No wonder that was stressful curly.

I would think as long as emergency plans are in place and he knows the kids well there's no reason why it shouldn't work. He'll enjoy the responsibility.

All different.

She usually charges £5 per hour.

The 3 year old she looks after is on a Sunday afternoon whilst the parent takes an older a child for an activity and she is given £20 for 2.5 hours

If the kids know him and he knows he can get hold of you if he needs to then it's fine

Thecomfortador he would enjoy the responsibility, he's a mature lad and as I said, I'd be at the end of the phone in case of emergencies - I'd get him to message me rather frequently anyway in the early days until he's found his feet (its almost as if I should be paid too)

Ah thanks Chelly

I think it's fine..not leaving a 14 year old alone!! Seriously