age of babysitters

[PaulaMummyKnowsBest]

what is the youngest age you would allow your DC to babysit for other people (that you know)

What is the youngest age babysitter you would allow to have look after your DC?

I started babysitting at 14/15. It was for 2 year old twins, who would be asleep when I got there and it was just round the corner from my mums and they were family friends.

For me the answer to both questions depends on the maturity of the babysitter, their experience with children, the age and number of children being left.

35!! especially oldest (13) DS1 Wouldnt trust him with a doll at this present moment in time, let alone a child/baby..

I was 14 when I started babysitting for families in the village where I lived.

Depends on the age of the DC, the length of the sit, the maturity of the sitter etc.

Definitely not less than 14, unlikely to be less (alone) than 16 because few 14yos can cope with younger kids and few older kids will respect a 14yo.

We've had a 15 year old babysitter for 7 and 5 year old DC and it was fine.