babysitting question

[sleepismysuperpower1]

would you hire a 15 year old to babysit for a few hours while you went out? my dd was looking for a few babysitting jobs but i am unsure as to whether anyone would 'use' her or not. she has done babysitting before for family friends.

all the best x

It really depends on the 15 year old in question to be honest. My friend's daughter is 15, very mature for her age, sensible and well able to cope with things.
My niece on the other hand is also 15, very immature, kicks off when she doesn't get her own way, not in any way responsible.

I would definitely trust friend's daughter to babysit, but niece? Not in a fit.

So as I say, it definitely depends.

I say this as someone who did a lot of babysitting from that age, (so many) years ago, but tbh I wouldn’t - definitely not unless I knew them and they knew our family both very well indeed, at which point I might consider it if my DC were older. However, we don’t tend to really struggle for babysitters so others may be more flexible on it.

thank you for the replies x

If the mother was nearby, (close neighbour), or I was only heading to the pub or a close friends, and it was for my 7-10 year old, yes.

If it was for a younger child, or I was going further afield, then likely not.

My girls certainly did from about 15.

Personally no, but my youngest has medical issues so I'd ask nursery staff to babysit if my parents weren't avaliable as they've had training from his nursing team.

At your dd's age I baby sat a lot and had been for a few years. But it was for family friends and later on friends of friends on recomendations. I would say unless you have friends that need a baby sitter I'm not sure people would think to ask an almost unknown 15 year old. My friends and I got lots of baby sitting opportunities when we were in college studying early years as there were always requests being given to the tutors. We had crbs/dbs checks and first aid training which is very appealing.

Not for my toddler. I don't know if I would in the future for an older child; possibly but I'd have to know the teen pretty well.

Yes for an older child who goes to bed on their own, doesn’t need much looking after

I did so with my dcs from when they youngest was 8/9

I might use a 15yr old to babysit but probably only if I knew her well tbh.
And only for a couple of hours during a weekend daytime, not for evenings.

I would for my 11 year old if we were out for the evening and I knew them/their family.

thankyou all. we were thinking for some friends of mine who were looking for a babysitter, but i didn't know whether to recommend my dd or not.