Babysitting

[sayless]

DD is just shy of 13. Very mature and very capable. Comes home from school every day by herself for a couple of hours. Very smart, knows what to do in emergencies and if ever worried knows where to go for help (neighbours, etc)

Other DD is 7.5, odd tantrum but otherwise well behaved.

I am a widowed solo parent, no family around.

AIBU to let DD1 babysit for the odd hour or so? While I go to the gym for example? Not talking about all night etc.

I work full time with no family so everywhere I go, they go, but the gym they can't go lol.

Why would you not?

Most were babysitting multiple children at that age for hours.

My eldest is not long turned 13. For the last year, she's been the responsible one between her and siblings getting home and me getting home from work. Around an hour.

As long as she knows the emergency contact numbers for you, the gym and who else could help out, she would likely be fine.

However, how would the 7.5 year old take it? (I was paid babysitter at 13 instead of a family friend employing a childminder during the holidays). The hardest bit was making sure the kids weren't taking advantage of their parents not being around.

I am a single parent with 3dc. The oldest who is nearly 14 and who is also more sensible than most adults looks after his brothers ages 9 and 7 whilst I walk the dog for an hour or pop to the supermarket.
If your eldest is as sensible as you say then yanbu to leave them together for an hour or so.

Mine were out getting paid for babysitting at that age, it’s fine.