Babysitters.

[Journey2]

Can I ask Mnetters here what would you consider the min. age for a babysitter?
Had an interesting conversation recently with someone over this.

I did loads of babysitting from the age of 13 onwards (children aged about 3 and up). However, I think you need to consider the maturity of the person as well. I am an eldest child so think that contributed to me being fine to do that at that age. Not sure I would use a 13 year old at the moment for mine who are 2.5 and 1 and definitely not a boy as don't think they would be responsible enough at that age (generalising though)

14yrs. I have a list of 14 yos, very responsible. I use them for short babysits. They are eternally grateful and babysit for me for years. Lots of them have younger siblings that I also train up. I use boys and girls. Have found them all to be completely reliable. I tend to know my babysitters. I happily recommend them to others as well.

18 - but I have a baby and a very active 3 year old. When they are 7 ans 4 probably 15.

I trust my 16 year old sister with the 3 year old to an extent, but he is hard work for an adult, never mind a teenager.

Thanks for your replies.

I too babysat for families when I was 14.

When we were abroad we chose expat mature teenagers to babysit, I trusted them more than any maid which was the normal port of call by families.

Just returned to the UK, and no family close or friends to take turns with and refuse to pay eight pound an hour that some people ask for(not in London)for what is required.

Of course I care for my child's wellbeing, and never plan to use one often, but when ones other half works the hours he does, once in awhile it is nice to have some us time out of the house!

Recently a teenager dropped a leaflet through the door looking for babysitting and tonight she and her mum are coming over so we can meet each other. I think from our conversation already things will work out well, but some people think I am crazy for even contemplating a 16 yr old.

Not something I would do for a baby, but for our child, if I am comfortable with a person then so be it. I remember a babysitter I was given when our son was a baby from an agency and she was a sour faced so and so, we decided never to use again.

This had me curious on other people's thoughts.

I seem to be in the minority but I wouldn't have a teenager of any age looking after my children. I think you need experience of children and maturity in order to deal with any emergency or illness that may crop up.

Depends on the person and their level of maturity, but I'd be fine with a 16 year old if I knew that she was responsible.

As for emergencies and illnesses, I wouldn't expect her to do much more than to either call us or an ambulance - and most 16 year olds are perfectly capable of that.

maturity is not necessarily something that comes with age. I know adults who would be a lot less capable of looking after my children than my babysitters. Each of the teens have mobiles, know how to call 999, change beds, nappies, call me, call their own mother.

I think it's about knowing people and the people that you trust to leave with your child. Most of my teens have siblings. None of them have ever been phased by looking after my children, including the DTs. I put my kids to bed most times. If I don't I know that my sitters are more than capable of doing it.

People often assume that teens aren't capable of much. Some aren't! Fact is though lots of them are caring individuals with more than an ounce of common sense. If we want to worry ourselves about who looks after our children maybe we should remember the nurseries that small children escape from, adults who were meant to look after children who assaulted or killed them.

As I said... it's not age that brings maturity.

This is my bee in the bonnet as I love teenagers and I know who I do and don't trust.

It's not that I don't trust teenagers, I just think it is unfair to lump a teenager with a baby and a 3 year old.

calm down ladies I don't mind in the least if someone wants to use a teenage babysitter I was just saying that I don't and never will. I have no problem with anyone else doing it.

My neighbour, at the age of 16, had been doing St John's since she was 8 and was Cadet of the Year. At 18 she started studying Medicine at University.

My MIL doesn't know one end of an Elastoplast from another and her answer to everything is a drop of whisky in hot water - even for a baby.

I know which one I would rather have for a babysitter.

well at 16 you can have a job and get married, so I assume that you will be mature enough to dial 999 in an emergency if required

Yes but WWB your MIL is a complete nutjob.

Well yes, there's always that

I'd trust my teenage neighbour more than my own mother though ... which might be a slightly better recommendation than trusting her more than my MIL!

lol WWB!

the baby istter I use is 18 but have been using her for 2 years - she is very good with the DSs and knows what to do if they wake up or whatever. She is also good at entertaining them if she looks after them during the day. My nephew is 17 and I also use him - he kow the DSs very well so knows how to handle them.
I think once the boys are a bit older and my current sitters are off to University I would consider a younger one - as long as I trusted them - probably about 14 minimum.

I plan to use my own son occasionaly once he is about 14! my Dd will be 3 then, he would be ok now, its her i dont trust!!

Also, i had my son at 16, i was responsible enough to bring him up alright, it really does depend on the teenager in question.