13 year old babysitting younger siblings?

[Eyeofthelamp]

I have a DS from a previous marriage who is about to turn 13yrs. My now DH and I also have a 4 year old and an 18m old. We have no other family so nobody to ask to babysit. DS is incredibly bright, mature and sensible for his age. Would it be wrong to consider booking a meal at 7:30pm (when the two little ones are in bed) at the pub 2 mins from our house and leaving DS 13 to babysit for two hours max? DH and I haven't had a night out in over 4 years and I'd love to have a meal out for our upcoming wedding anniversary. Both younger children have cameras in their bedrooms that I can access from my phone and we also have a ring doorbell. In an emergency we could be home in 2 mins. I think DS would be absolutely fine and know what to do in an emergency, but I'm still unsure if this would be ok? What's the general consensus on this please?

I'd have been happier without a babysitter at 13. Also they are two minutes away, further to some families' front gate. Would you get a babysitter if you were out taking care of animals on your property?

I was a paid babysitter at this age, and I used to look after babies until midnight. I'm 43 now so maybe things have changed??

If you’re very local, I’d do it. I’m pretty appalled you have cameras inside your house though. Such an invasion of privacy

@Kalevala I would get a babysitter for the younger children to ensure a 13 year old isn't responsible in case anything goes wrong. I fail to see how that is reasonable parenting 🤷‍♀️

I wouldn't leave children that age unsupervised by an adult so I would alternate with my partner or yes get help in.

I very much doubt that there are many 13 yo children (yes, they are children) that wouldn't panic if an 18 months old started choking on their own vomit. Or if they had to evacuated a baby and a 5 yo from a burning house.

Unlikely to happen sure - but then that's the reason why we don't just leave children sleeping in a house alone. We rely on the baby sitter to deal with the situation.

If the kids are asleep and you are across the road then I think it’s fine as long as your DS calls you as soon as one wakes up. My 14 year old babysits for our six year old as he is asleep. I ask that he doesn’t game during that time so he can hear his brother in case he wakes up, but he’s a very reliable sleeper.

You’re appalled that I have camera baby monitors in my two youngest children’s bedrooms? This site gets weirder by the day!

I used to have video baby monitors they were on the house Wi-Fi and accessible remotely. Tbh I hardly ever checked it when out but nice for a peace of mind type thing.

Under the circumstances you have described, totally fine. It's not like you're expecting him to do anything other than call you/answer his phone if necessary.

I would, I babysat neighbours babies at that age and knowing how my own 13 year old is and with kids I would let them. But for short periods like 2 hours until they get a bit older

Not at 13.

I'm sure it would be fine if all was well it could he do the right thing in an emergency? Eg if there was a fire would he realise immediately and be able to get both the 18m and 4yo safely out of the house as this would probably involve carrying them both?

Just pay for a babysitter- like someone from a DC's nursery or school, a local childminder wanting some extra cash or sitters.co.uk