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Can a 19 year old babysit a baby alone?

194 replies

Raspberryripple3000 · 27/02/2026 18:55

Im aware this post sounds like ragebait (I wish it was) but my (19F) mum (40+) has a friend with a baby under a year old, naturally she hasn’t been going out much recently, so my mum offered to look after the baby one night so they can go out, assuming she’d be tired I offered to do it, without saying it with a lack of confidence. Since my pet passed away relatively recently, I thought it would be nice to have someone to take care of.

All of this sounds pretty normal right? Well not to my mum! After my (seemingly) normal request, she said no, I can’t do it alone and that I’ll need someone ‘mature’ (her) with me. I really don’t know what to think to that as I sounded quite confident and sure while saying it, heck I would have even looked forward to it, I’m overage (and aware younger teens are capable too), I have no mental health conditions, I’ve known the mum of the baby for over 7 years, and even my mum looked after a baby after she left school (about 16 years old) so I really don’t know why my perfectly normal request backfired to make me look like a little 10 year old trying to seem grown? Surely denying a 19 year old to look after a baby (who’s well past the newborn stage) that she’s confident about looking after is a bit strange? My mum could at least see what the mum of the baby thinks right? All of your suggestions/comments will mean so much to me! :)

OP posts:
MCF86 · 27/02/2026 18:57

Of course a 19 year old can look after a baby. But not all of them.

We can't say why your mum doesn't think you are capable though!

Ileithyia · 27/02/2026 18:57

I was babysitting at 15. Have you looked after a baby before?

Raspberryripple3000 · 27/02/2026 18:59

MCF86 · 27/02/2026 18:57

Of course a 19 year old can look after a baby. But not all of them.

We can't say why your mum doesn't think you are capable though!

The baby is such a chill baby, barely cries etc. so I’m really confused as to why my mum flat out refused

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arethereanyleftatall · 27/02/2026 18:59

Since it’s totally normal to babysit from about 13/14 years old, that’s a very strange thing for your mum to say.
my dd is 17 and has been babysitting 50% of Saturday nights for about 3 years. Every time she babysits, word of mouth means she has umpteen requests. My point being, yes it’s completely normal.

arethereanyleftatall · 27/02/2026 19:01

is your mum aware you could have legally had your own baby 3 years ago!?

Raspberryripple3000 · 27/02/2026 19:02

arethereanyleftatall · 27/02/2026 18:59

Since it’s totally normal to babysit from about 13/14 years old, that’s a very strange thing for your mum to say.
my dd is 17 and has been babysitting 50% of Saturday nights for about 3 years. Every time she babysits, word of mouth means she has umpteen requests. My point being, yes it’s completely normal.

Ik! I just posted this to make sure I’m not the one going crazy🤣

OP posts:
BeingATwatItsABingThing · 27/02/2026 19:02

Very much depends on the 19yo and I would say it’s up to the parents of the baby to decide.

Raspberryripple3000 · 27/02/2026 19:03

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 27/02/2026 19:02

Very much depends on the 19yo and I would say it’s up to the parents of the baby to decide.

Exactly

OP posts:
TakeTheCuntingQuichePatricia · 27/02/2026 19:05

I had my own baby at 19!

Raspberryripple3000 · 27/02/2026 19:06

arethereanyleftatall · 27/02/2026 19:01

is your mum aware you could have legally had your own baby 3 years ago!?

Technically yeah, but with her idk where I stand. When I want to do smth new for the first time or grow in independence she says I’m a child. When I ask her to buy me some chocolate once in a while then I’m the adult with the adult money. 🤷🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
scabbyfanny · 27/02/2026 19:06

I had DS at 18...I was more than capable of looking after him 24/7

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 27/02/2026 19:07

TakeTheCuntingQuichePatricia · 27/02/2026 19:05

I had my own baby at 19!

Me too!

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 27/02/2026 19:08

Raspberryripple3000 · 27/02/2026 19:06

Technically yeah, but with her idk where I stand. When I want to do smth new for the first time or grow in independence she says I’m a child. When I ask her to buy me some chocolate once in a while then I’m the adult with the adult money. 🤷🏼‍♀️

See, this doesn’t scream that you’re very mature. That’s not to say you wouldn’t be perfectly fine to babysit for a few hours though.

Raspberryripple3000 · 27/02/2026 19:10

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 27/02/2026 19:08

See, this doesn’t scream that you’re very mature. That’s not to say you wouldn’t be perfectly fine to babysit for a few hours though.

I’d say I’m pretty normal for my age, this is just how my mum sees me as ‘convenient’ in the moment. Even if I can be a tad immature now and again I’m definitely in the normal range for my age, and I’d absolutely prioritise the baby’s needs 😘

OP posts:
Franpie · 27/02/2026 19:10

My 16 year old is babysitting a baby up the street right now, along with the baby’s older siblings.

If you’re comfortable doing it, and the baby’s mum is comfortable you doing it, then that’s all that matters.

Mums of babies don’t tend to go very far anyway so if there’s a problem, I’m sure she’ll be able to come back quite quickly.

user6386297154 · 27/02/2026 19:11

Well, yes on the face of it a 19yr old is perfectly capable of looking after a baby, but I'm 50, with two grown up children, I’d baulk at being left in charge of a baby!
its a big responsibility the younger they are, and things change, what was normal when mine were little is probably a heinous crime now!

Do you think your mother may have been looking forward to looking after the baby herself though? If she’s only 40 and you’re 19 she must have been a young mum herself? Can’t you both do it and have a lovely time, all three of you?

Raspberryripple3000 · 27/02/2026 19:11

Franpie · 27/02/2026 19:10

My 16 year old is babysitting a baby up the street right now, along with the baby’s older siblings.

If you’re comfortable doing it, and the baby’s mum is comfortable you doing it, then that’s all that matters.

Mums of babies don’t tend to go very far anyway so if there’s a problem, I’m sure she’ll be able to come back quite quickly.

My exact thoughts, I don’t know why my mum thinks she has the final say over the baby’s mother

OP posts:
Moveoverdarlin · 27/02/2026 19:14

How old is the baby?

Emptinest · 27/02/2026 19:15

I have a 19 year old dd. She loves kids and has babysat toddlers. She doesn't have experience of very young babies though. I think I might feel a bit wary of her minding a friends small baby without her doing a trial run with a bit of support.
I realise that's a bit ridiculous because she could have a baby herself without any experience of babies at all.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 27/02/2026 19:16

Raspberryripple3000 · 27/02/2026 19:10

I’d say I’m pretty normal for my age, this is just how my mum sees me as ‘convenient’ in the moment. Even if I can be a tad immature now and again I’m definitely in the normal range for my age, and I’d absolutely prioritise the baby’s needs 😘

I’m sure you are in normal range. I thought I was very mature at 19 but I look back and realise I wasn’t. Obviously, the child I had at 19 was perfectly fine and we did our best for her but we were by no means mature enough really.

Actually parenting is different to you just babysitting though.

ForAmusedHazelQuoter · 27/02/2026 19:16

TakeTheCuntingQuichePatricia · 27/02/2026 19:05

I had my own baby at 19!

Same!

goz · 27/02/2026 19:16

Your mum is the one who offered and agreed the babysitting, it would be weird and generally considered unacceptable to switch the person caring for the baby without the mothers permission imo.

gototogo · 27/02/2026 19:17

Plenty of 19 year olds have babies!

Raspberryripple3000 · 27/02/2026 19:17

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 27/02/2026 19:16

I’m sure you are in normal range. I thought I was very mature at 19 but I look back and realise I wasn’t. Obviously, the child I had at 19 was perfectly fine and we did our best for her but we were by no means mature enough really.

Actually parenting is different to you just babysitting though.

Yes one night definitely isn’t the same as raising that baby to adulthood. I’m sure you’re a great mum!

OP posts:
goz · 27/02/2026 19:19

gototogo · 27/02/2026 19:17

Plenty of 19 year olds have babies!

That doesn’t mean I would leave mine with a 19 year old who has had no experience with babies.