AIBU to think a sensible 15 year old can babysit for a few hours in the evening?

[Galaxyseeker]

Would you leave a very sensible 15 year old to babysit 4 (sleeping) children for a couple of hours in an evening?

Children all very good sleepers. Just wondering what age people would do this? My husband and I looking forward to being able to go for a quick pub meal together once in a while again.

My DD babysat my DS from the age of 14, she often sat with him for 20 minutes or so from the age of 12, I was perfectly happy with this because she was sensible and my parents lived across the road and could look into my living room from theirs (cul de sac) she usually had a friend round too, payment was a dvd and as much junk food as they could eat.

I started babysitting for some neighbours at 14, at the time their kids were 2 yr old twins and a 7 year old. I would have thought that the 15 year old will be fine, what are the chances they wake up anyway and it sounds like you would be close enough in case of an emergency. Have a good time.

I have a 16 year old (today is his 16th birthday) who has been babysitting his younger siblings for at least a year. They are 13, 10 and 6.
He is sensible and has my phone number in case of emergency, or failing that he will go down the road to the neighbour's house. I have to go out a lot at the moment because my driving test is next month and I need to get my parking up to standard- I've never left him to babysit at night but that's because I don't want to go out.
He is fine with babysitting, he gets extra treats and reckons that he's banking loads of hours for when he has kids and needs childcare!
Most of the time he play computer games with the little ones, or puts a film on and makes snacks.

Absolutely would.

What do you need from a babysitter? You need to be sure that they could handle a crisis (child getting sick/injured/upset), are authoritative enough to keep control of whoever they are looking after, and can be trusted not to do anything foolhardy (popping out to the shop, opening door to strangers, lighting candles, making chips, snogging boyfriend while house burns down....).

Some children could handle this at 14, some I wouldn't trust at 18! Many kids thrive on being given responsibility. And you are only ten minutes away, which makes a big difference.

OP, you’re on the cusp of being able to do stuff!

Like go to the cinema because the babysitting cost doesn’t outweigh the cost of the evening!

I don’t pay DS for babysitting, because we’re a family and we support each other yada yada BUT I buy him plenty of extras, like concert tickets, meals for him and his GF etc. There’s actually nothing to do except be there in case of disaster. And I always ask him well in advance, or if he’s not doing anything. I’d never insist he had to do it.

No way on this earth would I make him take siblings out if he was going out with friends! I’m horrified by that!

I have a neighbour across the road whose number he has stored, and I always tell her if i’m out.

Perfectly fine. I was babysitting similar aged kids at 13.

Same with me. I always ask 15yo DS if he is free before I ask. I would t make him stay in to do it but he generally doesn't go out that much anyway. I'm sure this might change in the next year or so.

Completely fine. 15 is plenty old enough to babysit 5-11 year olds.

he's banking loads of hours for when he has kids and needs childcare!

Love this.

Lordy can’t believe you’ve not done it already! From 13 and a half (I was v sensible) I was babysitting my little sister for 4+ hours while she was sleeping while my parents did same. Never very far, and always contactable. Yanbu.

I should have said 13
Year age gap so from 6 months plus!

How on earth do you get an 11 year old in bec by 8pm?????

I started babysitting at 14 - siblings and other families for extra money.

The other families were MUCH easier.

I do think you need to talk through potential scenarios INCLUDING the siblings playing him up - make clear that this is a good enough reason to call you even if only to tell them on the phone to pack it in!

Also speak to the younger ones about their behaviour especially the 11 year old who is the most likely potential challenge.

My dd is 1 but been babysitting for a year. She was fine st 15 as she's one of five so well used to kids and I'm only a call away if she gets stuck.

"My dd is 1 but been babysitting for a year"

Wow! That is young!

I’d be happy leaving a 15 year old to babysit especially as the younger ones will be in bed

DD has babysat for younger children a few times now, though only 2 at a time, due to the specific needs and circumstances each time. She was 14, almost 15 the first time and done it since when 15. Children have ranged between 6 and 11y.

I'd totally trust her to look after 4 children at a time, especially if well known to her and even more so if asleep. Though I guess it might depend on the individual children in some cases. DD is very responsible and trust worthy though. I know other 15/16 year olds I wouldn't necessarily trust.

If siblings then I'd have thought it would be fine - so long as they all get on. Put rules inlace - make sure they know the 15y is in charge and they must listen to what they say. Make sure they have contact numbers and know where you will be and a rough time of when you'll be back, etc.

Also worth a note - does the 15y WANT to babysit? Will they be receiving some form of reward for doing so?

I suggest don't call it baby sitting. My ds was really resistant to being baby sat by his big sister, but loved spending time with her while we were out. Psychology......

My dd is 15 this year and we often leave her with sleeping 7 year old . She is super sensible and we don't go anywhere we can't be back in 10 mins . We have cameras in his room and all round the house so we can check on them if need be .
I don't worry about it at all,, round here it seems fairly normal for 14 year olds to do paid babysitting of smaller children 🤷‍♀️

Of course that is fine. By 15 our eldest son was regularly left in charge of his younger siblings (then 5 and 10). We started when he was 13, maybe going next door to neighbours for drinks for an hour or so then building up from there. It transformed our lives! The only issue would be if your younger kids wouldn't do what their brother told them to do if they woke. Because of the age gaps with mine (and probably their personalities) DS1 was always "the boss" in a nice way so we never had any problems.

@pigpoglet why are there cameras in your 7yr old bedroom? I’m not being goady, I’m asking out of interest. My DD at the age of 7 would have covered the lens over as I’m sure she would have felt spied upon.

Considering a few people I know had their own kids at 15, I’d certainly hope it was ok to leave them babysitting

I'd be warier leaving a 15yo with an 11yo sibling, but as long as the 15yo is sensible and the 11yo is likely to behave if any situation arises then absolutely.

One of my DD's (15) has been babysitting for 2 years for various families. I can no longer leave her with my 9o - but that's because of the 9yo and his attitude.

I think it would be fine to leave the kids by themselves. My kids are 14 and 10 and we've recently started to go out in the evening and leave them. We don't stay out very late.