Age of babysitter

[2018anewstart]

What age do you think is appropriate for a babysitter? My children are 9 and 12 and I have a friend who has a 15 year old daughter who I think would make a great babysitter. She is a genuinely lovely girl mature for her age and very sensible and the children love her. I know lots of sixteen and seventeen years old but I wouldn't feel comfortable with them having my children! I would never be far away but it would enable me as a single parent to have a few hours out once every couple of months and I would only be local so could be home in 5 minutes if needed. Do you think that would be ok? I have no one else to rely on and I think the children would be happy with this arrangement. What's your views?

I think it's fine if she's sensible and your children are sensible then I'd be happy for them to hang out for a few hours if you're confident she'll call with any issues.

My current babysitter is a friend's son, he's 15 and has been babysitting for us for a year. The kids love him and he could call his mum (my friend) who is just around the corner if necessary.

I used to babysit from age 14 too.

Thank you for your replies just needed some reassurance that it is ok. It literally would be for a few hours maybe once every couple of months. Xx

I was babysitting from age 14 - my parents were just around the corner if needed and the parents I babysat for were always out locally. Always completely fine

I babysat from 12. Things have changed a bit but a sensible 15 year old with parents nearby is fine. Your kids are bordering on not needing a sitter for early evening (we got a sitter until around 14 if it was past 10 o'clock)