AIBU to suggest babysitting to my 13-year-old daughter?

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My dd is 13 and is keen to start earning some money. At her age I was babysitting every weekend, but I’m unsure if that’s the done thing now? What are the chances people these days that would be ok with a 13 yr old babysitter? I think if she sticks to our estate then I will be around in an emergency too?! What you think? AIBU to suggest it to her?

Ir would be illegal for her to babysit until she is 16

I wouldn’t leave a baby with a 13yo.

Really? Lol…didn’t know this

Ah, I see the armchair lawyers and their imaginary laws have turned up already.

You didn’t know it because it’s utter bollocks.

Sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

I don't think it would be illegal? It would just mean that the children's parents or guardians would be legally responsible for everyone's safety. Your daughter would not. I think that is right anyway.

I would not leave my kids with a 13yo. I work in a secondary school and 13yos are still very young ime and I don't think it would be fair to place that much responsibility on their shoulders. Maybe leaving a younger sibling with them while their mum goes to the shop or something, but not offering a full babysitting service

Please do quote the law you're referring to

You can try but I wouldn’t hire a 13 year old babysitter personally

Yeah just looked it up there, not Illegal at all.

Not really a thing now. I have 2 young children and do not know anybody who would trust a 13 year old babysitting these days unfortunately.

I wouldn’t want a 13 year old babysitting for me , nor would I want my own 13 year old in the homes of people we don’t know very well.

I never had any issues when babysitting tbh, they were always asleep anyway.

It wouldn't be illegal but I think she'd struggle to get work or could potentially be exploited at her age. Childcare jobs aren't well paid which means lots of qualified people in those jobs will babysit on the side to earn extra money. She'd struggle to compete with that. And you'd have to ask what kind of person would choose a 13 yo over a professional.

I think unless you know someone very well who'd pay her then it's a non starter.

Unless it is for very close family / friends who know your daughter and have children that also know her well and are unlikely to be an issue ie not babies then this is a non starter . Can she do a paper round ?

No such thing here unfortunately

13 is pushing it. I think some 13 year olds would be great, but maturity varies enormously. If anything went wrong your DD would be affected so I'd not encourage it. Ad hoc for families you know maybe, but I wouldn't advertise publicly.

Can you point us to the law?

Why do posters insist on posting stuff like this?

Can you please refer to the Act of Parliament which states this law, because I've been a solicitor for over 20 years and I've never been able to find it because it doesn't exist.

I think there’s a difference between babysitting and being an older child with a verbal child. I’ve had a 14 year old neighbour looking after my then 7 year old, putting to bed etc.

So true!

I can't stop laughing 🤣🤣

Yeah maybe it would be best to wait a year or so. Thanks everyone

I wouldn’t have a 13 year old babysitter but I would let a 13 year old walk my dog and feed my cat while I was away. ( and I have paid a friend of my DD13 to do this ). I’ve also let kids that age clean the car. Other kids I know have put flyers in the area for general odd jobs and leaf raking etc in autumn.

Too young to babysit imo

I pay my 17 yo to babysit my 12yo!

There isn’t a law against babysitting under 16, it’s just that they don’t have any responsibility for the kids legally if things go wrong

You know I just thought of this option!! She adores animals so this is a good shout!!I’ll suggest this to her if she doesn’t think of it. She is off doing her own research as we speak