Is this babysitting arrangement ok?

[Stiltons]

15 year old girl. Daughter of DPs good friend. She is desperate to babysit DD (18mo). She seems like a lovely girl, wants to study childcare at college, interacts very well with DD when she sees her.

I think she is a little young but was considering asking her to come and babysit one night and DP and I can go to the local pub for a couple of hours. It's a 10 min walk away. We would go after DD is asleep (but make sure DD plays with her before bedtime so remembers who she is if she wakes up). DD hasn't woken in the night for months now so its likely she wouldn't need to do anything.

Would you do this? Dd is my pfb so I'm not sure if I'm being over protective or not protective enough.

Yup. Like a shot.

I’d do it with the caveat that I wouldn’t venture further than the local pub given the sitter is only 15. Otherwise fine though. Enjoy!

It sounds fine to me so long as you are sure she will phone if you have an issue.

Long time ago so I know not relevant in many ways to today but at 15 I was doing day time care to a toddler and 2 primary children for up to 4 hours, during the holidays and that was way before mobile phones meant I could instantly get in touch.

I wouldn't recommend that though.

Perhaps give her a couple of possible scenarios and ask what she would do.

I would. I used to do similar when. I was younger, the parents would just be a few streets away at friends. Later, I babysat 'properly' for them.

Sounds fine to me. Worst case scenario she calls you and you are back in ten minutes

The best babysitter I ever had was 14 when she started looking after me and my bro. She was excellent and her mum lived opposite of there had been an emergency in those days before mobiles. I reckon def give her a try but stay local and keep it short the first time

Sounds great to be honest.

yes!i started babysitting at 15. Baby was 4 weeks old! i was very responsible.

not so much now lol

Um in a heartbeat! I started babysitting at 13. Only I my village so my parents were nearby if needed but yes. I looked after 3 kids overnight by 15. The parents came home around 2am but I had a room I could sleep in so I wasn't trying to stay up.

Sounds like everyone is in agreement! I'll give her a go - we have never left DD with anyone other than grandparents before and they live quite a distance away so we wouldnt do it just for a trip to the local.

Oh yes, sounds great. 15 and 16 are the golden years of babysitting, make the most of her before she's 17 and more interested in going to the pub with her mates!

It will be great for you and DH to get out together for a few child free hours.

That sounds like a great arrangement, go for it!

I left home when I was 16 so I'm sure a 15 year old desperate to babysit, who your dc already gets along with, will be absolutely fine.

Enjoy