To leave my 5yo with my 14yo tonight?

[EIsbethTascioni]

Dh and I have been invited out tonight. Last time we went out together was last January. We wanted to go for a quick dinner first so would be going out at about six and back on the last bus at 11.

My dad is in hospital so (obviously) can't now babysit.

Ds1 has said, don't worry, I'll babysit. They get on really well. He's going to put a film on, order a pizza, and fall asleep with him in our bed (long, complicated bedtime routine otherwise).

Is this ok? He's sat with him for a couple of hours before in the day. We have neighbours who would happily go round if it goes tits up, and we are fifteen minutes away in the bus anyway.

What do you think?

I used to babysit twin babies at 14! That were not in any way related to me. This thread has made me realise I am only about a year off from not needing babysitters anymore which is enormously exciting

i used local 14 year olds to babysit my 4 and 5 year olds. it's completely fine especially if you aren't too far, he won't open the door, he is happy to be left on his own etc.

It sounds fine to me. Have a lovely evening!

Enjoy! Sounds fine to me. What a lovely young man you have there.

If you think he's mature enough do it. I wouldn't frown upon a 14 year old babysitter - I used to babysit for a lot of people at this age.

Yes do it, he sounds like a lovely brother and the bedtime plan is perfect.

Yes do it. I have same age gap between my two (currently age 2 and 11). Both we and our eldest (who is relishing the chance to earn extra pocket money) are looking forward to him being old enough to babysit. We had age 14 in mind if we aren't too far away. Our youngest babysitter so far was 15 so not much different.

Are you paying him? I think you should even if it's just a token amount.

We're paying for the pizza. He's happy with that.

Yes sounds fine to me.

I would mention to neighbours just in case of an emergency.

Enjoy!

Do it, I would.