Babysitting age

[cheeseandbiscuitsplease]

Hi I have 2 children aged 7.9 and 3.9. There is a girl aged 14 who is a very good family friend, very sensible and comes up to our house several times a week as she lives few doors down. Kids adore her, she's does them too. She has been coming up since she was 9. I was going to leave her with kids 5-8 tonight whilst me and my husband go out for a meal approx ten mins away. I feel completely confident to do so. My mother however been on phone saying she's too young. I've looked on the Internet and some sites say 14 some say 16. I'm unsure now :( she's a lovely girl but I want to be sure I'm doing the right thing. Opinions please ladies.

Exactly Cezella - horses for courses. DS1 I trusted to babysit from about 14 - he always had an old head, DS2 is now 17 and only just ready for babysitting! He is fab at it now, but I would NO WAY have trusted him at 14. The OP knows this girl very well and trusts her, so that's what matters.

I know for certain that she doesn't do things like you did pretty!

I'm pretty sure the couple I babysat for would say the same :) That being the whole point lol.

It would depend on the child, but the age wouldn't put me off.

I babysat at 13/14 for a friend of a friend of my Mum's who had a baby of about a year old and an older toddler. I knew how to look after babies because I helped my mum with my much younger siblings, knew what babies could/couldn't have etc and was more than capable.

My own son has also babysat from about 13 for his younger siblings and also for my next door neighbours rather, um, unruly children. (Think 4 year old suspended from school ) admittedly I was always at home when he babysat, but again, he was more than capable and due to his younger siblings knew exactly what they should and shouldn't have and be doing.

Oh the other hand, my DSD is 2pm and I wouldn't let her babysit, because she just has no experience of young children or looking after them and wouldn't have a clue how to do things.

I think you should feed the children before you go.

There is no legal age.

My son is 14 and babysits his younger sister for me. H's brilliant with her.

He's thinking about offering his services to the neighbours as a babysitter too.

Cheese I don't think you're being irresponsible. It sounds like you've thought it through and it sounds fine to me. You know the girl. If you're happy with the arrangement, then trust your instincts and enjoy your meal.

I babysat for a neighbours daughter from being 14. It was fine.

Pretty my dcs would tell me! MY 4 year old still says the first thing that comes into my head and my 6 year old is a little goody two shoes who dobs everyone in!

I wouldn't but then 2 of my dc's have SN so I'm more nervous about babysitting. However I once babysat the children next door when I was just 16. 2yo with then undiagnosed ADHD and 10 week old who screamed if you put him down and also when you held him most of the time too. My mum had agreed to help me out if needed and I think I lasted about 5 mins before I took them back to our house .