To let daughter babysit

[justheusual]

Hi everyone, I hope you are all well 💗

I need some advice as I'm really struggling with this decision.

I have 2 wonderful children, a 15 year old girl and a 8 month old boy. I return to work in 2 weeks time as my maternity leave is unfortunately coming to an end. I have childcare arranged for baby for the days I'm working Mon-Fri but I have no one who can look after baby on a Saturday. I work 3 Saturdays a month!

The only option I have is a childminder (which I feel extremely uncomfortable about IMO) or my 15 year old daughter , who I also don't feel so sure about!

My daughter is begging me to let her watch him on a Saturday. It'll be from 9am-4pm . I can see she absolutely adores and loves him to bits! She loves to help with him and just loves having a little brother! But there's something about it that feels wrong. She's mature, you would think she's 30 not 15. Im just terrified incase something goes wrong.

What if she can't get him settled? A million thoughts are running in my head...

Please be kind, I'm stuck!

Is it okay? Or is it worrying I would even consider this ?

bump

She's 15, not 5! You've said yourself she's mature, helpful and adores him, sounds like the perfect solution to me. I'd build up to it beforehand though, if you've got time - so try leaving him with her for an hour or 2, then a morning, etc, just to make sure she's really comfortable.

I think it'd be wise to have a back up plan in mind just in case she changes her mind when the reality of crying, nappies and the sheer relentlesness of caring for a baby - and soon a toddler - hits!

When you say you're extremely uncomfortable about using a childminder, do you mean in general, or one particular childminder? If you don't like the idea of using a childminder full stop, coupled with worrying about your daughter looking after him, I wonder if you've got quite significant anxiety?

I babysat a lot at 15. I was a Junior guide leader and a few families approached me to ask if I'd consider babysitting. I also sat for some of my parents friends. It was great and I made Good money.

I say go for it. But have a plan b in case she gets into difficulty.. like a neighbour she can call on if she is scared.
I babysat from I was 13 for all my cousins in the 90s and it really taught me so many valuable lessons. And we are still super close. It will help them bond also

I can see it from both sides, as used to babysit for neighbours across the road at that age and was absolutely fine
On the other hand as a mum now I'm more like noooooo lol

Seriously, you know your teen and whether they're comfortable, as everyone's different.

7 hours plus commuting time is a hell of a long time for a 15yo to be responsible for an 8m old baby.

Of course, she can. I did with my younger sister. No problem. But don't expect she wants to do it long term.

I think it is fine, if she can call you if there is a problem. Might be a subtle way of letting her know she wouldn't want to be pregnant at 16, too!

Dad around? Can he not help?