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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To use a 15 year old for babysitting?

29 replies

Fadingfast · 05/06/2013 17:07

That's it really. We've only ever used friends (often too busy) or occasionally family (too far away), but now the dc are a bit older I was thinking of asking a neighbour's daughter. She seems very sensible, and her Mum is only a few doors away should the need arise. Is 15 too young? What's the going rate these days?

OP posts:
bigTillyMint · 05/06/2013 17:09

My DD babysits for our NDN's and she's not yet 14, so YANBU. She gets about £7 an hour, but they are generous and this is London. I would have thought £5 would be OK?

exexpat · 05/06/2013 17:10

How old are the DC? As long as they are old enough to talk, and you're not expecting nappy-changing etc, then I would have thought a 15-year-old would be fine.

5madthings · 05/06/2013 17:10

Yanbu I think its a good idea, she is close by, you know her family and it helps you out and provides the teen with the opportunity to earn some money.

5madthings · 05/06/2013 17:11

And £5 an hour seems reasonable :)

claraschu · 05/06/2013 17:12

Of course it's not too young, though I wouldn't leave a newborn with a 15 year old unless she had a lot of experience (and I trusted her completely). Any child over about 1 loves older kids, and will idolise a teenager who is nice to him/her.

My kids get about £5 an hour

MonstersDontCry · 05/06/2013 17:12

YANBU. I used to babysit my baby cousins all the time at that age. (I'm only 22 so it wasn't that long ago) and as you said the girls mum is always on hand for an emergency.

Original poster
Fadingfast · 05/06/2013 17:13

Dc are 8 and 5, and we would make sure they are in bed before we go. I was thinking £5 plus loads of snacks, but didn't want to appear stingy!

OP posts:
plainjaney · 05/06/2013 17:13

I babysat for one of my teachers children when I was 15, I enjoyed it. Settled in with a good book on the sofa and being paid for it!

I'd have no worries thinking my 15 year old DD was babysitting, in fact I wish she had the opportunity to earn a few pounds that way so no, YANBU
:)

Original poster
Fadingfast · 05/06/2013 17:17
Grin

That's all very reassuring, thanks.

«literally skipping at the prospect of going out»

OP posts:
crashdoll · 05/06/2013 17:29

YANBU. I babysat from the age of 14 as did most other people my age at schools. I am still friends with several of the families. I got about £5/6 although this was 11 years ago and just outside of London.

Bue · 05/06/2013 17:33

Sure, I babysat from 13 (in the daytime or if parents were around) and from 14 in the evening. I would have no problem at all with a 15 year old.

OnTheBottomWithAWomansWeekly · 05/06/2013 17:33

DD is 16 (since last Nov) and has been babysitting since she was 15 (my sister's two, who are now 6 and 2.5 respectively).

She has landed another regular babysitting job for a friend of my sisters (one 6 yr old) - and this weekend got 4 regular shifts a week in a wine bar/restaurant (so I'm quite the proud mammy as she is getting so independent - plus am looking forward to not being the Bank of Mum soon)

So YANBU, enjoy your night out!

McNewPants2013 · 05/06/2013 17:37

I see no problem with that.

However make sure you are home in time, I used to hate the parents coming home late.

ipswitch · 05/06/2013 17:50

No problem here

TattyCatty · 05/06/2013 17:53

I babysat from the age of 14 for 3 boys, aged 3 and 22 months (identical twins) at the time that I started. The thought of that much responsibility now at the age of 41 brings me out in a cold sweat, as I only got round to having one child myself!

Our babysitter is 14, and is the daughter of my childminder, so she knows DD very well. I have always been more than comfortable leaving DD in her care, but would agree with the principle of letting her know what time you will be back and sticking to it. We also pay £5 per hour.

CAF275 · 05/06/2013 18:11

Go for it. Rates here usually £5-£7. Thankfully my eldest DC is now 14 and youngest is 10 so I've recently gone out a couple of times without getting a babysitter - utter bliss!

Sparklypinknails · 05/06/2013 18:37

I kind of think YABU. To me 15 seems quite young still and I'd be concerned that she wouldn't know how to react in an emergency or could panic if she didnt know what to do in a situation. I wouldn't use a babysitter who didnt specifically know CPR etc for a child though and guess a 15 year old is quite likely to slot into that category so that probably affects my opinion.

TheChaoGoesMu · 05/06/2013 18:39

Yes I do sometimes. Our friends dd is 15 and has babysat for dc. She's pretty sensible and her dad only lives a few doors away, so if there was a problem he would be straight round.

thebody · 05/06/2013 18:41

God yes, my lads babysat for loads of my friends at that age.

It's great as well that mum is near.

BellaVita · 05/06/2013 18:42

Yep, not a problem. £5 an hour plus snacks very acceptable.

thebody · 05/06/2013 18:44

Sparkly makes a good point.

I taught my kids basic first aid and CPR aged 10 plus.

Why don't others? It's as vital as learning to swim in my opinion.

exoticfruits · 05/06/2013 18:59

I babysat at that age- her mother is nearby.

Startail · 05/06/2013 19:00

I expect DD2 will look for babysitting the second she is 14.

At the moment I'd have to send you both of them, DD2(12) to babysit and DD1 (15) for a cool head ifanyrhinggoes wrong (DD1 wouldn't have a clue how to entertain, change or calm a small child, but can do CPR, call for an ambulance and general sort out the adult side of things).

Portofino · 05/06/2013 19:03

I babysat frequently since I was 13. And no one had mobiles then. Older children who have been put to bed should be no issue.

Chelseajobey123 · 24/06/2018 21:22

I am 15 year old and looking for a babysitting job in Newcastle upon Tyne. £7 per hour