Is it ok to leave my 14 year old DD babysitting my two DS's?

[5kidsandme]

We are off to a wedding reception for a few hours next weekend and I am not sure whether or not it's ok to leave my 14 year old DD in charge of my two DS's who are 9 and 5. Normally my 16 year old DD babysits but she can't do it. The 14 year old is very sensible and mature for her age and I have spoken to our next door neighbour about stepping in to help if there is a crisis, but my DH has raised concerns about the legality of it. Could we be charged with child abandonment?

will they be in bed?
2 boys at that age can be hard work

I think if you and your Dd are happy with it then it's fine. As long as you know she is sensible enough to call the neighbour if needed!

From my understanding you would only hit legal problems if something happened. For exapmle - if there is a fire and they find out you weren't there.

I would feel happy to do this myself as you say DD is responsible and I assume the DS's are not brats difficult If they would run her ragged it isn't fair but if you are all happy with it then I would do it.

There is no legal age at which someone can babysit, but I'm not sure how happy I'd be with the situation. Can the neighbour not babysit?

YANBU - she is 14, that's old enough and you obviously feel she is capable or you wouldnt have even contemplated it.

Go out and have a great night, your DD will be fine :)

There's no actual law about what age they can be left just guidelines if a parent feels their child is responsible its ok DD1 used to babysit DS and DD2 from 11/12.

www.eastsussex.gov.uk/childrenandfamilies/childcare/default1.htm

There is no legal age, however the NSPCC states no one under 13.

Sounds fine, and the neighbour is a good back-up.

Sounds fine to me as well, good to have neighbour on 'stand by' as well.

sounds fine to me.

Only you will know if she is sensible enough and can cope. As has been said, there is no legal age, but you will still be responsible for anythign that happens whilst she is babysitting.

My oldest DS, who is 15 sometimes babysits his younger brothers, both in the evening and during the day and has been doing it since he was 14. He easily manages, is very sensible and there is always a neighbour 'on call' and he likes the chance to earn some extra pocket money. He also sometimes babysits next doors DC, who most adults find, um, challenging, but he always finds them easy and loves looking after them. (I am always home when he does this though).

You have a similar set up to me.

I am comfortable leaving my 14 year old dd looking after her brothers from time to time.

I had my own child at 14 so IMO of course she is able to babysit her siblings.

I was regularly left with my 12 y o and 12m o brothers. It was awful, mostly cos of the baby. But your dss are older. I think it's fine, may be do a dry run first.

Skids I dont really know the answer. I was the youngest of a large working class family. We used to take all sorts of risks ,it was essential in the ciircumstances...but things have changed in many ways.

Needless to say I think this is ridiculous, but it did happen:

Make sure she knows what to do in an emergency and is aware of risks and all will be well. I started babysitting for money at 14.