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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that a 15 year old is too young to look after a 6 year old...

91 replies

LucieMay · 12/06/2012 23:09

... at night time? My niece is leaving school soon, nearly 16. She wants to make some babysitting money and is nagging me to let her look after my six year old DS at night this Friday (I'd arranged to go out but can't find a babysitter in the family). I personally think she's too young to babysit him, particularly at night. She's never looked after him on her own before. AIBU?

OP posts:
LauraShigihara · 13/06/2012 11:45

I had a long list of regular babysitting jobs at that age. It kept me in fags and The Jam albums.

But I would not let a untrustworthy teen stay at my home without supervision

lambethlil · 13/06/2012 11:52

If the OP had posted 'AIBU to not let someone who I cannot trust babysit', the responses would be different.

It's got nothing to do with her age. She's shown that she's not mature and the OP wouldn't be comfortable leaving her DC with her. YANBU.

Kewcumber · 13/06/2012 11:55

"about a year ago she and her friend stayed over at my house and while I was asleep in bed they invited two lads round. I was furious at the abuse of my trust "

say exactly this to her and see what she says.

A year is a long time when you're 15 but only you and she know whether she has matured enough.

Ormiriathomimus · 13/06/2012 12:02

not a problem with a 15 yr old per se, but not that particular one perhaps.

Shinyshoes1 · 13/06/2012 12:15

YABU my DS1 is 15 tomorrow and he's looking after his 4 year old sister this saturday night whilst I help paint a friends flat

Sabriel · 13/06/2012 12:52

I was babysitting an unrelated (to me) 2 yo at 14.

becstarsky · 13/06/2012 12:55

I know some very responsible 15yos who I wouldn't hesitate to leave my 6yo DS with. I know some incredibly flakey 40somethings who I wouldn't dream of leaving him with. Some people are sensible and trustworthy, some are daft as brushes and often remain so their whole lives. Sounds like this 15yo might be in the latter category. So YANBU to question it, but YABU to think it's only because of her age.

AdventuresWithVoles · 13/06/2012 13:04

yabu, but agree it depends on the individual 15yo.

MarthasHarbour · 13/06/2012 15:48

oo yes i was in hot demand in our village at 14, all my mum's friends were fighting for my li'l babysitting business. i just took my homework along and watched trash tv.

one of my 'charges' (Grin) had appendicitis, i called the social club where the parents were - they came out and said 'ah shes fine' and went back for some more beers Hmm

it turns out that they had to rush to A&E at 2am that morning trollied with their poorly daughter. all i remember of that was giving her calpol and soothing her brow. i was perfectly capable

but-then i was too shit scared to have boys round and nobody fancied me anyway

mumeeee · 13/06/2012 16:25

YABU. A 15 year old is fine to baby sit a 6 year old. DD1 started baby sitting at 15.

heartmoonshadow · 13/06/2012 16:59

I have a 15 year old niece who will be babysitting for my 3 year old son and 8 week old baby this week. She is very capable and has shown this several times over the past 3 years when she has looked after our son with supervision from her parents. She has arranged for her 16 year old friend to accompany her. She had the foresight to arrange for me and my son to meet her friend prior to the babysitting and had ensured that her next door neighbour is aware and happy to be on standby for any problems she may have.

We are going out wih her parents and will be less than 5 minutes away by car. To be honest I think it is a maturity issue, if the 15 year old is mature and capable then go ahead if not don't after all your children are your most precious thing in life.

CrikeyOHare · 13/06/2012 17:00

When I was 15, I was the go to babysitter for our whole street.

YABU, I think.

Original poster
LucieMay · 14/06/2012 00:11

Sorry for the drip feed earlier- it wasn't intentional. I have actually decided to let her look after DS from around 7pm to 11.30pm. Her mum (my sister) has agreed to let her do it. I've told her that she can have one female friend to keep her company, no lads and definitely no booze. I've impressed upon her that DS is still young (I know six isn't a baby, but he's still my baby lol!) and that I'm putting a lot of trust in her. She did fuck up a year ago but she's a good kid at heart and if you never put any trust in young people, they never get a chance to grow. I'm gonna get my dad to call round about 9pm (not gonna tell her that) just to check everything is okay and I will be ringing too. DS goes to bed about 9pm on a Friday, so she will have to interact with him and look after him. He thinks she's brilliant and ultra cool. We'll see how it goes!

OP posts:
1950sHousewife · 14/06/2012 02:06

Lucie - you sound like you have it sorted, especially with your dad going around to check. Glad you found a resolution.

mathanxiety · 14/06/2012 04:47

The DCs babysat from age 12. DD2's first job was a family of 6. She has a big fan club among the local under-ten set now.

valiumredhead · 14/06/2012 08:21

I was babysitting 4 children over night every Saturday at 15. Youngest was 3. It's fine.

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