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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

When to stop the babysitters?

10 replies

QueenVicTracey · 20/02/2011 23:33

I leave mine alone to pop out to the supermarket for a quick few bits if they don't want to come. I booked a babysitter for the first time a in while recently and they really resented being "looked after", is there a legal minimum age/length op time to leave children alone ?

OP posts:
Greenshadow · 20/02/2011 23:41

how old do you mean by teenagers? a 13 year old is very different to 16 yr old

Original poster
QueenVicTracey · 20/02/2011 23:48

13

OP posts:
cat64 · 21/02/2011 01:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

northangerabbey · 21/02/2011 10:29

I left my ds from when he was 12, at his insistence. He really resented the idea that he needed a babysitter at that age, and was absolutely fine. He's now 16 and looks after other peoples' children.

Niceguy2 · 21/02/2011 11:54

I agree, its all about maturity and not age.

At 13, i had no problems leaving my DD alone. At 14, she now babysits for the younger kids and sometimes friends too.

A few questions I asked myself before I started leaving her went along the lines of:

  1. Can I trust that she will not trash the house, set the cat on fire or throw a big party?

  2. If there is a fire, will he/she get out?

  3. If everything goes tits up, is there a trusted neighbour around she can knock for?

  4. Will she be scared if left on her own for more than a few minutes?

It does get a bit silly getting a babysitter for someone who is a mature 13 yr old IMO.

happygolucky0 · 21/02/2011 14:44

I think you can leave them as long as they are not at risk of harm in which case you could be in court for neglect during the day evening. But 16's are not allowed to be left over night.

sunnydelight · 22/02/2011 09:57

"There is no legal age limit for leaving a child alone, but it is an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk" Children and Young People's Act.

NSPCC recommends that UNDER 16s shouldn't be left alone at night but that is a recommendation, not the law. The Directgov website has some useful guidelines.

happygolucky0 · 23/02/2011 19:14

oh thats interesting sunny I didnt know that thanks.

AMAZINWOMAN · 23/02/2011 19:17

Where I live there is no childcare provison for children when they turn 12. I was told this by my local council!!

So single parents have to leave their kids alone when they work.

mumeeee · 24/02/2011 22:28

It depends on the child. My eldest DD I could leave at home for a couple of hours from when she was 12 but the other two were older before I left them on thier own. When DD1 was 15 I did leave the other two with her and they were then 10 and 12

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