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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to let my 10 year old little sister look after my 8 month old ds?

16 replies

froken · 04/09/2013 07:54

I feel like crap, I have a cold and I'm sitting in bed waiting for the paracetamol to kick in.

My dsis came in to my room when she heard ds was awake and was playing with him. She adores him and he adores her, she is very responsible.

She asked if she could take ds to tge living room to play as there is more toys, I said thats ok I just reminded her not to let ds near the plugs. It's a pretty child proofed room.

I can hear them singing the wheels on tge bus and giggling.

Aibu to let her look after him despite her being so young? I wouldn't leave the house or ask her to change his nappy or feed him when I wasn't there.

OP posts:

RedHelenB · 04/09/2013 07:57

As long as you can hear & she'll come to you with any problemsYANBU.

Pagwatch · 04/09/2013 07:58

My DS1 used to look after DD by playing with her in a different room.

She knows to call you if she needs anything?

chickensaladagain · 04/09/2013 07:59

Absolutely fine if you are in the same house and she's happy to do it

Beastofburden · 04/09/2013 08:03

If the room has been childproofed for him, so she doesn't have to be eagle eyed beyond her years, why not? Get well soon.

Sirzy · 04/09/2013 08:06

You are in the house, as long as you know the room is safe then leave them together and just keep an ear out.

ILoveAFullFridge · 04/09/2013 08:10

Absolutely. It's one of the joys of being a big sibling (or a little auntie/uncle!). I was doing the same for my mum when I was 8.

Establish ground rules of what is suitable for baby to play with, how to deal with baby touching something unsuitable, and whether and what child is allowed to feed baby. You're available if needed. Now enjoy your rest.

ArbitraryUsername · 04/09/2013 08:11

Ds1 used to 'look after' his baby brother in this way when he was 10. I can't see why it would be a problem, and it sounds like they're enjoying themselves.

ILoveAFullFridge · 04/09/2013 08:15

BTW, change some nappies with her so she learns how to do it. No reason why she shouldn't change his nappies - again, db and I were changing dsis's nappies when we were 11 and 8.

It gives children a lot of self-confidence to know that they are trusted.

BaldricksTurnip · 04/09/2013 08:17

Think it depends on what stage your DS is at. At 8 months all of mine were at the sitting up and attempting to lurch forward into a crawl stage. This meant that one minute they would be sitting up and the next would do a face plant on to the floor! I had to really watch them and put cushions around wherever they sat etc.

Original poster

froken · 04/09/2013 08:39

Thanks for the advice! It all went well. I feel much betternow.

Ds is at the crawling about and walking along with things stage so he is a handful but dsis did really well.

She can do nappies but ds does a very stinky morning poo and when he is changed he tries to crawl off so changing him is very hard!

OP posts:

Yonihadtoask · 04/09/2013 08:46

Sounds fine to me.

I am 10 years older than Dsis, and I did a lot of babycare as a child.

I thought you were going to say you were going out for the evening and leaving them alone on first reading the title of your post.

Mammyisthegirl · 04/09/2013 08:56

You're next door. Sounds very reasonable. Good for dsis to have some controlled responsibility!

Tiredemma · 04/09/2013 08:59

Watching with interest as I am about to give birth any day now to DC3 and I am hoping that Ds1 (13) and DS2 (10) will help with some of the load!!!

QueenofallIsee · 04/09/2013 10:30

My daughter was 7 when her brothers were born, then nearly 9 when the last one came. She has always been very hands on. Now at 15 she can babysit for an hour or so perfectly happily for one or two of them while I run errands with the others. Its a godsend

Mamatomanymunchkins · 04/09/2013 17:28

tiredemma I am sure your DC will be a great help. My little one DD4 is now 6 months and my DD1, age 11 and DS, age 8 are fantastic with her. I am always conscious of not repeatedly asking them to help out (have DD2 and DD3 also!) but they actually argue over who is going to hold and play with her. DD1 will sing her to sleep if she is crying and is happy and confident to change a nappy whilst DS is good at cuddles and making her smile.

mammy it is very good to give them some responsibility ~ definitely makes them more confident, less selfish etc ~ a good life lesson

BTW mine are not complete angels and the baby does annoy them if crying loudly whilst they are trying to sleep!

Yonididnaedaethat · 04/09/2013 17:59

Mine are age 15 and 10, I have a 16 month DS....I find the 10yr old entertains the baby a lot better than my teenager who tends to be glued to her phone.

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