How can my 14 year old DD get local babysitting?

[SuperGinger]

She is very responsible and conscientious nd I would trust her more than many adults, however I know nobody with young children She doesn't go to school locally, how do I find her some babysitting jobs locally. We live in London.

My DCs did a huge amount of babysitting as teens under age 16, in the US. They started around age 12-13 as 'mother's helper' for families they eventually babysat for. They would keep the babies, toddlers, or young children occupied and safe while the parent/s were busy getting a diy project done, or wfh, etc.Then those families recommended them to others.

I had four DDs and each one inherited the older sisters' babysitting jobs. Sometimes their friends recommended them to 'their' families if they couldn't babysit on a given evening, thus avoiding the prospect of some stranger edging them out completely. The world of babysitting was a cutthroat one indeed.

It was fantastic to have references available when they went looking for part time jobs as 16 year olds. Employers love to see the words 'reliable', 'punctual', 'excellent communicator', and 'responsible' in a reference

I’m half laughing half depressed by this thread. This is definitely still a thing where I am but word of mouth is how people find babysitters. If your kids are over 5, no SEN, and so badly behaved that you don’t think a 14-year-old could handle them, that’s a you problem. Also a DBS isn’t a magic talisman. OP I think helping people who wfh might be the best suggestion on this thread.

I wouldn’t have anyone that age.
im sure lots would tho as its cheap 😂

I think under 16 is too young to babysit. Who would trust a 14 year old unless they and their child knew them very well?

I wouldn’t use a 14 year old babysitter i didnt know. You’d be better to ask through people you know, neighbours, colleagues Etc.

I think 14 is too young. 6th form around here. Do a msil drop in the local streets when she’s older.

I think it was more a thing when we were teens. Parents are much more careful now. I used young babysitters but only known in my network so recommended by friends who had already used them and knew the family, Wouldn’t hire a stranger.

And over 16.

If you would need to go with her the first few times then she isn't mature enough. She's either ready for the responsibility or she's not.

Our babysitter was 15 when we started using her, her now 13 year old sister eagerly awaits the passing of the reins.

But if you dont know anyone with kids, shes probably out of luck. Parents are more selective these days, and there's fewer kids about anyway.

treat it as a long term project, get her helping out at Rainbows.

I would never let a 14 year old look after my children unless a) I knew them very well and so did my children and b) my children weren't too young. A 14 year old with no experience of children wouldn't know what to do in an emergency.
Also I wouldn't pay them £10 per hour. And a 14 year old can't legally be responsible for children.

Why would anyone have a 14 year old as a babysitter when there are loads of 16/17 year olds around that would be a bit more mature. Even 20/30 years ago when my dc were small 16 would have been the minimum for me. I babysat from about age 13, but it was just for family or the next door neighbour and their expectations were low, which is just as well because I was pretty clueless.

Too young I think. I wouldn’t leave my kids with anyone under 16. I prefer upper sixth and uni students tbh. I was a fucking idiot at 14, which might be part of my thought process.

In London? No one is going to employ a 14 year old child.

She needs to be at least 18. And even then she will struggle to find work as London is saturated with people offering babysitting.

Yeah, this.

I agree. Would she be confident helping kids with the loo, changing nappies, cleaning up sick, dealing with kids’ nightmares waking them up, knowing when to ring the parents, if the child shows signs of illness? All possibilities. I think I’d want someone with more life experience than a 14 year old.