To think a 15 year old is capable of babysitting my DC?

[SmallGirl]

My DC s 6. Once per month I work a weekend day so my 15 year old cousin babysits at his dads (my uncles).

There are plenty of toys for my DC to play with as my uncle has two younger children who’re a similar age (they go to their mums for that to not overwhelm 15yo – different mum to the 15yo). Uncle also has a garden with play equipment.

15yo is paid to look after DC. He basically supervises them playing. can sit inside when they’re in the garden as the living room looks out onto the garden, makes their lunch (usually a sandwich or sausage roll but he does sometimes cook) and then walk DC to their fathers round the corner when he finishes work (usually about 2.30pmish).

They babysit 10am-2pm/2.30pm. So about 4 hours.

15yo seems happy and I’d never force him if he says he can’t do it I arrange something else. But a friend commented that daytime babysitting is harder than nighttime and he’s a bit young for daytime sitting a child.

So AIBU to think 15yo can cope with an easy 6yo once per month?

YANBU - 15yos is fine for this
YABU - 15yo is too young

Of course it depends on the 15 year old, but if you know him and trust him to act sensibly in an emergency, then why not?

I used to babysit in the daytime for a 2 year old when I was 15.

He’s 15. Of course he’s not too young.

Christ I was regularly babysitting toddlers and babies, overnights, 4 kids, at 14 & 15, more than capable of dealing with any situation.

Some 15 year olds will be looking after their 6 year old siblings.

Yes as has even mentioned it depends on the 15 year old and indeed the 6 year old.

Does your friend know your cousin or was it more of a “oooh I’m not sure Iwould want a 15 year old looking after my kid”

If that’s the case tell your friend there’s probably loads of things she brings up her kid that you wouldn’t do and everyone’s different and your cousins more than capable of looking after one 6 year old

I trust him yes, he's done basic first aid at school and his phone is never out of his hands so he'd know what to do in an emergency.

My DC adores him so will do as they're told.

@NaughtToThreeSadOnions

Some 15 year olds will be looking after their 6 year old siblings.

Yes as has even mentioned it depends on the 15 year old and indeed the 6 year old.

Does your friend know your cousin or was it more of a “oooh I’m not sure Iwould want a 15 year old looking after my kid”

If that’s the case tell your friend there’s probably loads of things she brings up her kid that you wouldn’t do and everyone’s different and your cousins more than capable of looking after one 6 year old

She says in general she thinks 15 is a bit young for daytime sitting, nighttime is different because the children are asleep.

Jeez he’s done first aid more than most adult babysitters

No definitely not to young and it works ignore your over precious friend

“She says in general she thinks 15 is a bit young for daytime sitting, nighttime is different because the children are asleep.”

Yes I got that, but actually night times comes with it’s own perils, it’s more than the child sleeping and teenager watching tv

Does she know many 15 year olds

Some 15 year olds may well have their own baby who they care for 24/7 (I appreciate they’d be underage but let’s not kid ourselves that underage pregnancy doesn’t happen) baby’s that are much more difficult to look after than a 6 year old.

Many 15 year olds will be looking after their younger siblings.

Sounds like your friend has an idea that babysitting is kid asleep and teen watching tv/snogging their boyfriend/girlfriend on the sofa. Iron idea what 15year olds are capable of or how difficult night babysitting is or how easy watching a kid play in the day is!

I don’t see the problem, especially since your little boy is 6. It’s not as hard as caring for a small baby, which might be more stressful. And your son probably sees it as an opportunity to hang out with a cool older cousin, while the 15 year old makes himself some extra pocket money. I was an apprentice at a nursery at 16 - I know it’s not exactly the same but I think this age group are a lot more competent than some people give them credit for.

I think it’s hard to say it depends on the 15 year old. I was left with my siblings around that age and a bit younger.

It depends on the 15 year old and what they know to do should anything go wrong. In contrast to what one of the responses said, it being in the daytime (daylight, less cold) seems to make it easier I think.

When my littlest was a baby our babysitter was 15. She was great with my two and I was gutted when she eventually went to uni. I'd say a 6 year old should be easier than that. Obviously depends on the 15 year old.

@nosswith

It depends on the 15 year old and what they know to do should anything go wrong. In contrast to what one of the responses said, it being in the daytime (daylight, less cold) seems to make it easier I think.

If there was a really big emergency there are neighbours who know he's alone with a 6 year old and would help. I am also contactable at work and my uncle whose also at work can be contacted.

Obviously depends on the dc but my dd is 7 and a neighbour 13 but very responsible, and even last year at 6 and 12 I'd have been ok with this. This year is not think twice. If my daughter was more challenging and/or the teen less mature it would be different.

I think it's fine if it works for you and your cousin.

My dd is 15 and could defo do this. She's babysat for slightly older children than that a couple of years ago and that was fine. She could defo babysit one 6 year old now

I used to babysit 3 kids at 16 and I coped fine. I'm sure they'll both be fine if 15 year old is mature

If he's a sensible 15 year old it sounds like a great situation. Also pretty good (for both of them!) nice to have older brother role models for your DC too.

I got 15 yr old SS to babysit his 3/4 year old half brother occasionally, they are more careful with them then we think - and also tend to be better at playing games than stressed and tired parents sometimes

Is your friend offering to babysit instead? If not, ignore.

I was doing similar with my neighbours 2year old at 15. I knew basic first aid (Girl Guide) & was sensible & good with children. My village primary always had volunteer 12year olds look after the reception class at wet lunchtimes ( prob not legal now) so I was used to small children. I wouldn't worry, he sounds fine with them.

I have had teanages who are better then adults.

He's fine. I was babysitting all night until the next day at 12 x

The vast majority of 15 year olds would be capable. If you have no worries, ignore your friend.

Maybe things have changed but when I was a teen (1990's) me and most of my friends were babysitting from 14-15 yrs old. I got 5 quid, a pizza or Chinese food and a rented video to watch with them. If it was 2 kids I got a tenner. My mam wouldn't let me watch more than 2 kids.

It was an easy, reasonably fun way to earn some money. There was a list of phone numbers to call if something happened.

The worst thing that happened was me and the kids went to go eat in the dining room and their dog shat on the board game we had set up on the living room coffee table. That was, admittedly, not a good night but 30 years later, it's pretty funny.

I think 15 Is fine if they’re responsible. My DD (15) has babysat and is looking forward to doing so again post-pandemic. She’s helped out at a preschool summer camp since she was 12 ( not this year obviously) and had First Aid training. She’s great with children. I wouldn’t let her look after a real baby obviously, but a verbal child is fine ( so probably 3+).