To think this is far too young?

[PurpleBanana3121]

To be leaving a just turned 12 year old over night,and looking after his 4 year old sister?

I would say that leaving the 12 year old to go out for an evening and get back at say, 11pm, is probably on the cusp of acceptable. But it's not ok to leave the 12 year old overnight/back in the small hours (I think the NSPCC suggest 16 for this, which sound about right) and the 12 year old is too young to be reponsible for a younger sibling for that length of time.

I wouldn’t leave a 12yo alone overnight let alone one in charge of a 4yo.

All of this.

If someone hired a babysitter, they would have to be at least 16

No way is 12 old enough, regardless of how mature they are

When I was 16/17 I babysat for a 12 year old overnight. Responsible parents make sure their children are looked after overnight.

Far too young.

Even for a very sensible 12 year old.

What if one became ill/had an accident etc.

If the mum wants to go out, she needs to find a responsible adult to stay with the children.

I agree it's far too young and I would report it if it happened again.

I think it's fair enough you checked on here though, it is a serious matter so better to be sure.

Are you sure they are home alone? My friend's ex rang the police on her for leaving the kids home alone but actually her father (children's grandfather) was babysitting

Too young in every way

2 or 3 hours OK but no more. Is the mother just going out on the piss or is she at work?

My PILs used to leave my DH at age five looking after his two year old brother for the evening! Insane.
While I babysat at 12, it was never overnight and my parents lived just a few doors away.

If it was some sort of emergency and a one off - they'd be alright.
But mum's night out, possibly making it a regular habit - that's just wrong.

Yes.

The NSPCC doesn't set a definite age but 14 is usually given as 'reasonable' when caring for a younger child.

I'd report it to SS.

You can get married at 16 (with parental consent.)

I would report this to the police, definitely.

I could maybe understand leaving a 12 year old overnight in some kind of unavoidable one off emergency but not when also responsible for a young child.

YANBU, 12 is too young to be left overnight, let alone with responsibility for a small child. My DD is 11 and perfectly fine left to her own devices for a day, but she'd be scared if left overnight.

Not anymore, you can't.

Who are you to the mum?

Could you not babysit whilst the mum goes out?

There’s no way that this is ok.
Both of them are way too young.

If you live in and get married in Scotland you can 😊

As you haven't got children,@PurpleBanana3121 I'm assuming you are worried abut another family? I would report it to the police/social services. 12 year old might be ok but not looking after a 4 year old

Well, yes that is true 😁 not in England any more.

I'd consider it neglect.

There isn’t legally a minimum age but obviously people should use their common sense.

There’s not a legal minimal age - the child has to be deemed as responsible. So a sensible 14 year old could babysit, but not an irresponsible 16 year old.

However, I also think 12 is too young.

This⬆️