13 year old babysitting sibling for an evening?

[confusedaboutages]

AIBU to leave my 13 year old babysitting my 7 year old? I don't have anyone who can have them that night, so is a straight choice between yes or no.

I'll be 45 minutes away by car. I'm driving not drinking, so can leave immediately if there were any issue. There is a neighbour they could go to if there was a problem I couldn't deal with over the phone.

13 year is used to being home alone and has babysat during the daytime for the 7 year old many times before. 7 year old us nearly 8, if this makes a difference? They get on well, no fighting issues.

I'd be out from 7pm - 11:30pm at the very latest. I'd put the 7 year old to bed before I went out, leaving 13 year old to watch Netflix.

I think it would be fine, but I wanted to check opinions before committing myself.

AIBU to let the 13 year old babysit?

[quote Divebar]A 12 year old looked after 3 younger kids? 😟. What could possibly go wrong ?

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/news/uk/227553/Police-caution-mum-for-leaving-son-14-to-mind-three-year-old-brother/amp[/quote]
This is exactly the sort of situation where systemic racism and classism will come into play. I.e. black or poor parents (especially mothers) are more likely to be considered neglectful than white or rich parents in the same situation.

Even though the white or rich parents probably have more options for childcare, or may not even need to go out as often (e.g. only one parent may be working instead of both).

No if they fight, no if they haven't been left alone before, no if either child is uncomfortable, no if there is nobody to go to in an emergency, no if you cannot be contacted by phone.

In your case absolutely yes! Go, enjoy yourself.

What is the worse case scenario you are guarding against? They will be fine.

You know your kids better than anyone. Speak with the neighbour, set clear consice rules and boundrys. If you trust them then fine. I used to look after my 2 year old brother from 4pm- 11pm while My parents worked. That included cooking tea and Putting him to bed, I was 10.
I would trust my daughters. My sil trusts hers at similar ages.
I would however not trust my sisters kids. It's all down to maturity and trust.

I think this is fine, 13 is old enough and responsible enough to look after a 7 year old for an evening.

No

I do it sometimes, but only after the little ones are in bed, and tell her to call me if they wake. I don't go 45 minutes from home however for that exact reason.

My 13 year old can barely look after himself let alone another child. A child can't babysit a child you will have to cancel.

I wouldn’t personally. I’d wait another couple of years.

I would never leave children home alone. I used to make my son go to childminder after school until he was 14 years old.

You're kidding, right @caringcarer?

OP, I think it's perfectly ok for a 13-year-old to babysit, especially if the neighbor will be around.

We've left ours for the odd hour when we've been very close by and can get home in 5 -10 mins, but not at night. I wouldn't leave them 45 mins away at night, no.

Chocoholic12 - if my 13 yo cld barely look after himself then I would be pretty disappointed in my parenting. They have been at secondary school for a couple of years and should be pretty self sufficient. My youngest has autism and ADHD so I am not sure if at 13 he will be able to but at 12 he is pretty good at looking after himself and very sensible so I wouldn't be surprised if he is ok. My eldest at 14 is more than capable.

Going back only 20 years 14 yos would be working sat and holiday jobs as well as regularly babysitting. They are capable its just that so many of them are babied these days.

It’s just ironic that the teens that aren’t infantilised are actually safer when they do go out into the big wide world.