Teenage babysitters

[Jinxxx]

I do a fair bit of babysitting, mainly for the children I care for during the day as a childminder. My son (15) mentioned in passing that he would like to do babysitting, especially in the holidays. Do you think that is realistic? I was babysitting myself from about twelve, but quite possibly times have changed. Would you employ a teenager (if they had Mum to call for advice if needed0 or would you only use someone older and/or qualified? FWIW he is very sensible and has obviously been brought up in a childcare environment.

I also babysat from 12 and have been a nanny since I was 17. I myself wouldn't leave a teenager with my children until they were older, 6 or 7 and upwards.

However, I know a few families that have neighbourhood teenagers to sit, they don't go more than 15 minutes away and know the teenagers parents well so know that if there were a problem, the parents would be there in a minute or so.

You could ask your mindees parents to see if they might be interested. They will be people who will be happy to have a teenager to sit, you just have to find them!

My dd has babysat for three different couples. The first was just luck that her friend who usually babysits couldnt that night, then she was recommended by them to others. She is 16 but started at 15, I'm sure if you spread the word he is available he will Pick some work up.

I think generally people prefer a slightly older teen, but there is no harm in putting the word out/asking around. I think families that know him (and you) will be your best bet. I started babysitting about 14, but only family friends/neighbours etc. I didn't get any business from 'strangers' iyswim.

I paid a 12/13 year old boy to walk my DC to ballet and back a while ago (so that I didn't have to drag all the others out). I knew him and his family (just to say hello to) because his sister was in my DC's ballet class. He seemed sensible and I was able to ask him mum first whether she minded etc. DC1 was 7 though and reasonably sensible. she just needed someone to help her cross the road and keep her company on the walk there/back.

I would employ a 15 year old in a 'mothers help' role e.g. to play with my (primary school age) DC/entertain them while I was in the house/running errands. If I was out, a distance away, for the evening I would probably look for someone older.

DD started by babysitting while the parents were home but needed to do DIY/gardening/home office type work etc for very small amounts of money

The idea was that as they trusted her more they would leave the children with her - but then she moved over 100 miles away & that stopped that

DD babysat the next doors little girl from 15 and at 17 does respite care as well on a ad hoc basis at weekends/holiday. But she has been volunteering at a SEN playscheme since she was 12 and has been offered jobs through that.

My DD babysat from about 15. Some schools or libraries run babysitting courses with basic first aid etc that might help people's confidence in your son?

The 16 year old next door sometimes babysits for us but I have known her since she was 4 and her mum is handy if needed. I have also used my friends 16 year old but again mum is very close by.
I wouldn't use anyone under 16 though

Yes I would - well, did...my dc are teens now and my (now) 16 yr old has been sitting for a while - certainly since she was 15.

Our fist babysitter was our CM's dd
She was FAB. Knew FAR more about babies and caring for them than dh and I did, put together. I think in the first instance it was reassuring that I knew her Mum was only a stone's throw away should she be needed, but soon realised that her dd had grown up with babies in her house her whole life and was more than capable of looking after them on her own.

We've had several sitters over the years who were teens. Works well for everyone but they were all teens that we knew to be capable teens before we asked them to sit, IYSWIM, I wouldn't have answered a card in a shop window type of thing.

I use 2 teenagers (15 & 16) for shorter babysitting evenings. Both local so mum is nearby in case of emergency & we can walk them home & it's rarely later than 10/10:30.

It's ideal as our older babysitters often don't want to waste a whole evening for 2-3 hours sitting but to a 15 year old £10-15 for watching a DVD & eating popcorn seems bloody brilliant . Oh & my DC are 5 & 9 & very good about just going to bed when instructed ( if they're not already before the sitter arrives)

Thank you all. That was a lot more encouraging than I was expecting. I think I will look into the availability of courses and see how serious he is.

I think my childminders teen would be a top choice - they will know the child, which is great. My kids get on great with my cms 11 yo, shame he isnt older!

I think people with older children going just locally might consider. So over 6 years roughly if they can happily settle themselves at bedtime and need little help. Especially if parents are just going to neighbours so can be home in minutes if needed.

DD started babysitting for a couple of mindees at about age 14. They knew we were available as backup if needed. She's 16 this Summer and wants to do more. We insisted she did her paediatric first aid training before she started (we paid for it).

I would and a bit younger. My neighbours daughter babysat for us from 13. My children were all very good sleepers, went to bed at seven and slept all night never woke up. They would all be in bed when she got here so she wouldn't have anything to do, her mum was next door if she needed anything. Because she was so young we would only stay local, 2 min walk, and be back by 10. It was a good start to her babysitting career. Even at 15 though I wouldn't use them if they had to do anything other than just sit there, I wouldn't expect them to have to put children in bed or anything like that.

Funny, I feel the opposite about my own children, in that it's OK if they're younger but not if they're older. I think because mine were such reliable sleepers, they really did never wake up. If they were older they might still be awake when the babysitter arrived.