Is 14 too young ?

[homegrownmumma]

I'm due to go back to work soon from my maternity leave and looking at childcare options.
I'll be working evenings and will need someone to look after my little boy between 5pm-6-15pm ( when my husband gets home ) , it would only be once a week as my other shifts can be at weekends .
Is my 14 year old niece too young ? She is very sensible , great with babies / toddlers as she has a little brother of similar age , I would put her maturity at about 16 rather than 14 .

At that age I was babysitting until midnight for three children regularly. My own children babysat from around that age too. Sounds absolutely fine to me and, imo, much better to have a family member than a stranger

How old is your child?

My child is 1 , He would of had his dinner already so would just be playing with him really

I was babysitting for longer at that age. Is she happy to commit to every shift? I'd be happy with the arrangement.

I think that would be fine, especially as she’s known to you.

Sounds ideal to me, I'd rather have a family member who I know and trust look after my child than a stranger and I think at 14 if you think she is capable then there is nothing wrong with going for it.
I used to babysit 2 young siblings who lived in the same village as my family between the ages of 13 & 15 but I know things have changed.
My 12year old daughter (also more mature than her years!) will often watch her 5year old brother for me whilst I pop to the shops and although i would be more than comfortable with also leaving my 1year old with her aswell i have a feeling it would maybe be frowned upon?!
She does offer during school holidays to get up with him on occasion so I can have a lie in and will look after him for a couple of hours, she knows I'm only upstairs if she needs me but she never does and is more than capable of caring for him, I always give her some money or buy her something she would like as a thank you for doing so aswell.

Normally I would say yes at 14 that too young

But this is for an hour and your niece and once a week

Maybe a basic first aid course and write down important numbers for her