13 year old in charge of toddler twins?

Demjay · 2022-11-13T10:57:32+00:00

Scouting options. Twins are 15 months. 13 year old is very mature/ responsible for his age. Would it be appropriate for him to take them out for a walk in the pushchair around the neighbourhood? YABU- he’s too young, that wouldn’t be safe / appropriate. YANBU- if he’s responsible and they stay in pushchair, it sounds ok.

Skinnermarink · 13/11/2022 11:00

Contained in a pushchair in a low-traffic area, I think that’s ok actually, if he’s as responsible as you describe.

DancingRabbit · 13/11/2022 11:02

Depends on how long and if they know each other. But I don't think it's unsafe/innappropriate.

TwinklingStarlight · 13/11/2022 11:04

Contained in a pushchair, fine, if he can read them and figure out when one has pooed etc. However it could be weeks before one or both of them are demanding to get out and walk, and then the whole thing gets more demanding. Be careful what you start.

Luredbyapomegranate · 13/11/2022 11:04

Fine.

As long as they are secure, you talk to him about what to do if one did start to escape, and it’s low traffic

Original poster

Demjay · 13/11/2022 11:04

DancingRabbit · 13/11/2022 11:02

Depends on how long and if they know each other. But I don't think it's unsafe/innappropriate.

Good point I should have mentioned- they are siblings! Sorry for drip.

OP posts:

LunaLoveLemon · 13/11/2022 11:05

Yes if a sibling/close family friend who you know very well and can trust. No to a relative stranger. And agree that it’s only appropriate if they are contained in the pushchair, and not far from home.

welshpolarbear · 13/11/2022 11:06

I think it's fine. What kind of area do you live in?

I used to walk my baby cousins all the time at that age. But then that's going back a while!

Decorhate · 13/11/2022 11:07

It depends on whether he wants to do it - ie is it his idea or yours. If he is happy to do it, then I would say ok as long as he does not have to cross any roads without a pedestrian crossing & you are absolutely certain he will use the crossing.

What would not be ok would be putting him in a position that he is too young to deal with.

Original poster

Demjay · 13/11/2022 11:08

welshpolarbear · 13/11/2022 11:06

I think it's fine. What kind of area do you live in?

I used to walk my baby cousins all the time at that age. But then that's going back a while!

City, but suburbs. There’s a local park just round the corner he can walk them around.

OP posts:

SomePosters · 13/11/2022 11:08

As long as he knows which one to chase if they run in different directions

Looking after toddler twins is an adult job that many adults would struggle with however responsible you think your teen I would be very hesitant to put them in a parenting position.

One of my friends at school was responsible for her toddler sister when she got hit by a car. I won’t go into all the grim details but no young teen should have to carry guilt like that in their life.

MrsSkylerWhite · 13/11/2022 11:09

Decorhate · Today 11:07
It depends on whether he wants to do it - ie is it his idea or yours. If he is happy to do it, then I would say ok as long as he does not have to cross any roads without a pedestrian crossing & you are absolutely certain he will use the crossing.

What would not be ok would be putting him in a position that he is too young to deal with.“

Absolutely this.

Original poster

Demjay · 13/11/2022 11:10

Decorhate · 13/11/2022 11:07

It depends on whether he wants to do it - ie is it his idea or yours. If he is happy to do it, then I would say ok as long as he does not have to cross any roads without a pedestrian crossing & you are absolutely certain he will use the crossing.

What would not be ok would be putting him in a position that he is too young to deal with.

Yes it was his suggestion.

thanks for all your thoughts everyone!

OP posts:

Original poster

Demjay · 13/11/2022 11:14

Demjay · 13/11/2022 11:10

Yes it was his suggestion.

thanks for all your thoughts everyone!

Show quote history

Albeit he was trying to be helpful as that’s the sort of kid he is 😍

OP posts:

CatsandDogs22 · 13/11/2022 11:23

Having had toddler twins myself I would not put him in that position. Things can go south very quickly with toddler twins and a 13 year old isn’t going to be equipped to cope.
Mine at that age 1 was running, the other was just walking but always in the other direction and they must have been just around the corner from learning how to escape their stroller (no matter what I did)…

lanthanum · 13/11/2022 11:31

Safely strapped into the pushchair, no getting out, sounds fine. But you might want to warn that when they get just a little bit older and want to be out of the pushchair, it will be no. You'd need to be very sure he is able to pick up and strap a tantrumming toddler back in before letting him take even one at a time.

Original poster

Demjay · 13/11/2022 11:57

SomePosters · 13/11/2022 11:08

As long as he knows which one to chase if they run in different directions

Looking after toddler twins is an adult job that many adults would struggle with however responsible you think your teen I would be very hesitant to put them in a parenting position.

One of my friends at school was responsible for her toddler sister when she got hit by a car. I won’t go into all the grim details but no young teen should have to carry guilt like that in their life.

Oh wow how utterly devastating.

The plan would be that they would be strapped in the pushchair at all times. Neither can walk yet x

OP posts:

Johnnysgirl · 13/11/2022 12:00

Strapped in a pushchair is fine. Both capable of taking off in different directions is not!

SirenSays · 13/11/2022 12:04

I'd let him, its sweet of him to offer. I was regularly babysitting by 13.

itsgettingweird · 13/11/2022 12:07

Strapped in pushchair and unable to walk.

Absolutely! Take the kind offer quick before he changes his mind

FrizzledFrazzle · 13/11/2022 12:38

As something he wants to do, in a carefully managed fashion I think it is ok. But he might discover that it's more stressful than it seems quite fast!

On the other hand, my friend and I were regularly left to look after her baby brother from age 13. (Mostly her, but if I was around me too). I can still remember the stress of trying to calm him down in the middle of town when his mum left him with us and walked off. It was absolutely grim. Don't do that.

Hankunamatata · 13/11/2022 12:43

As long as they keeps them strapped in the buggy then totally fine.

Irridescantshimmmer · 13/11/2022 12:45

So long as your 13 year old is more tgan happy.

Catupatree123 · 13/11/2022 12:49

Agree if they strapped in push chair and stay there thats fine, just be aware he might, with the best of intentions, think its a good idea to put them on the swings etc and thats when there problems may occur. I only say that as I know my kind responsible 13 year old might do that as would think they were being nice!