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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

15 year old babysitter - too young?

20 replies

RachelsHoliday21 · 24/05/2021 21:04

Is a 15 year old too young to baby sit for an 11 year old and 8 year old? The 15 year old is not related to the mindees, it's for daytime (up to 7 hours) and sometimes there would be an adult nearby but not always.

15 too young: UABU
15 is ok, if they are sensible/responsible: UANBU

OP posts:
BoomBoomsCousin · 24/05/2021 21:07

I would be okay with that for a few hours in the evening. But a 7 hour day is a long time, especially with two of different ages. Has the15 year old done much babysitting before? Will it be at their home and will they have plenty to occupy them?

poppycat10 · 24/05/2021 21:07

No, babysitting courses are aimed at 14 and over.

BoomBoomsCousin · 24/05/2021 21:07

*at the mindees' home

poppycat10 · 24/05/2021 21:08

Although I agree a day is different from a couple of hours in the evening.

3scape · 24/05/2021 21:09

7 hours in the day is a lot. How nearby is this adult? Who is in charge of meals and snacks. What would the children have to do in this time?

Original poster
RachelsHoliday21 · 24/05/2021 21:12

At the kids home so lots of games, crafts etc available. 15 year old has experience with different ages.

OP posts:
Original poster
RachelsHoliday21 · 24/05/2021 21:13

The babysitter would be in charge of lunch and snacks or reheating food (though the 11 year old can cook too!)

OP posts:
BoomBoomsCousin · 24/05/2021 21:21

This is basically more of a nanny role than a baby sitting one, especially if it's more than one day. I think you'd need a 15 year old who was more mature and competent than average, kids who weren't too challenging and a solid back up plan for getting adult support there quickly if things did go wrong. But I don't think it's totally out of the question.

ChelseaCat · 24/05/2021 21:25

I don’t think it’s appropriate personally. A couple of hours in the evening would be absolutely fine but, as PP above, this sounds more like nannying. Seven hours is a long time

fiorentina · 24/05/2021 21:27

We had a 15 year old to babysit our DC - 9 & 6 for a few days last summer, she took them to the park or sweet shop for example and entertained them fine. She was known to them but not a friend.

Seeline · 24/05/2021 21:27

I think it's too long.

I also think the gap between an 11 yo and 15 yo is not big enough for the 15 yo to have any authority.

fiorentina · 24/05/2021 21:27

I’d add I was working at home so definitely around if she needed help.

JustLyra · 24/05/2021 21:29

Totally depends on the 11yo.

Are they going to listen to the 15yo or play them up?

It also depends how often.

Arghlife · 24/05/2021 21:30

I started babysitting when I was around 14/15, did all day jobs. Aslong as the 11 year old is sensible and listens then it's fine. The younger child will probably be the easiest

funinthesun19 · 24/05/2021 21:35

When I was 15 I used to look after my 10 year old cousin. I remember taking her to Manchester for the day!
I think it just depends on what the babysitter is like and what the 11 year old is like. They both have to be sensible for it to work.

wonderstuff · 24/05/2021 21:38

It's interesting I think how differently we view teenagers now compared to a generation ago. I'd say at those ages absolutely fine. If a disaster happens she's got back up, I'd imagine she'll mainly be entertaining/keeping the peace. 15 definitely mature enough for that I'd say.

BoomBoomsCousin · 24/05/2021 21:50

@wonderstuff

It's interesting I think how differently we view teenagers now compared to a generation ago. I'd say at those ages absolutely fine. If a disaster happens she's got back up, I'd imagine she'll mainly be entertaining/keeping the peace. 15 definitely mature enough for that I'd say.
I don't think it's just that we think of 15 year olds differently. I think there actually is a fair bit of difference not necessarily in 15 year olds (though there's a bit) but also in the situation.

I think life is more complex now, which makes it harder for people with less experience to be prepared for irregularities, and we have higher standards for children than we used to.

I do think there are a lot more less mature 15 year olds - in part because they are given less responsibility - but even when I was a teenager 40+ years ago, this wasn't something that would have been advisable with ever 15 year old.

Original poster
RachelsHoliday21 · 24/05/2021 22:15

I used to babysit when I was 12 but looking back, I hadn't a clue. But it was next door so I could have phoned my parents if anything happened (nothing ever did).

The 11 year old is fine, very cooperative and sensible, needs minimal supervision. The 8 year old is more challenging but not like a toddler with no sense of danger or a baby who can't tell you what's wrong.

OP posts:
melj1213 · 24/05/2021 22:16

I think 7hrs in sole charge with no adult around is a bit much especially if the babysitter doesn't have a prior relationship with the kids.

By 15 I was babysitting my younger cousins quite happily but they knew me, I knew them; I was comfortable at their house; I knew what I could/couldn't do and there was always an adult available on the phone or checking in (either my parents or my aunt and uncle). Even then there were occasions where a whole day was just too much for me to deal with my cousins - if they were arguing/being annoying that day, the weather wasn't great so they were cooped up at home etc

SpeedRunParent · 25/05/2021 17:23

There is a chasm of difference in the maturity of some 15 years olds compared to others. Totally depends on the 15 year old.

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