To have left DD with my brother?

[matataka]

I had to go to an appointment today and then I was meeting a friend. My mum was going to look after DD(1yo) but she had to cover someone at work.

No one else could have her but then my brother (15, 16 in a few weeks) offered. I didn't think it was a problem as he is mature and he has looked after her before for maybe half an hour/ an hour.

I told my friend and she told me that I shouldn't have left my DD with a boy who's a child himself and that no teenage boy wants to look after a baby.

I was gone for about 3 hours and DD was fine! He said he took her to the park and he'd fed her and when I got back she was playing.

WIBU?

YANBU

I'd say absolutely fine. He sounds responsible and no doubt grown up helping care for her. You'll get a huge range of responses here though.

Of course not.
What exactly did your friend think would happen?

YANBU people really underestimate teenagers nowadays.

Well the second part of that statement from your friend is nonsense as clearly he was quite happy to.

It really depends. 15 is a bit young for a one year old (especially taking them out of the house) but I’ve not met him. Did your mum think it was a sensible idea?

I was baby sitting at that age.

I think that’s absolutely fine, and lovely for your brother to spend quality time with your DD. Don’t doubt yourself here x

YANBU. He’s her uncle, if he’s happy to and you trust him it’s no problem. I was looking after my cousins children from 13/14. Some teenagers are mature enough to be trusted.

Not at all unreasonable.
There are 15 year old boys and there are 15 year old boys. You know and trust your brother, your baby, your choice.

I used to babysit my 3 cousins for whole days at that age. So I (at 15) was looking after a 7yo, 5yo and 1yo, for 10 hours while their parents were at work. We all had a great time!! (Apart from the nappies, but even they were ok really).

Your brother offered, and it sounds like both of them enjoyed their afternoon. That sounds like a win to me.

Out of curiosity what was your friends suggestion for an alternative option? It doesn't sound like she was stepping up to look after your dd, so doesn't get to criticise your family member who was willing.

Your friend has views from the Middle Ages.

My 15yo could manage a 1yo for 3 hours.

I grew up in a culture where teens were routinely expected to care for their younger siblings/cousins/neices etc. So to me, this sounds fine.

YANBU. Sounds like your friend thought it was a bad idea because he was a boy, not because he was 15. Very sexist.

My sons regularly babysat for my friends at that age, if you trust him it’s no one else’s business.

YANBU. It's perfectly legal for 16 year olds to have their own children, after all. You know your brother, and clearly your faith in him was justified.

When my ds was young his baby sitter was the 15 year old lad next door, he was fab!

YADNBU! She’s had a nice afternoon with her uncle, you got to attend your appointment it was ideal. Your friend is strange!

Its fine, if he is happy, has contact numbers and is sensible.

My littlest sibling is 13 and looks after my niece whose under 2 regularly - usually for an 1-2 hours, sometimes even walks to the park 😉

I bet your friend would not have said anything had it been a 16 year old girl babysitting your 1 year old.

Sounds fine and he sounds very nice.

Why wasn't your brother in school?

@klangers

Why wasn't your brother in school?

Perhaps he's Scottish.

Would she had said the same if it was a Teenage sister? If you think he is able and he was happy to, I don't see a problem at all