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Teenagers

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

Original poster

Teenagers as babysitters- what age?

30 replies

ProtectiveMother · 11/09/2013 08:38

Hi all

I have a 3 & 7 y.o and was wondering, if they were well and in bed asleep, what age is my paid babysitter allowed to be? I know a 12 year old who has just started high school who is v responsible & trustworthy (but prob too young?). There wouldn't be any Childcare involved.

OP posts:
exoticfruits · 11/09/2013 08:53

12 is too young. I like them to be 6th formers. Younger would be OK but only if they lived 2 mins away and there mother was in and ready as support. 15yrs possibly- depending on the 15yr old.

purpleroses · 11/09/2013 10:46

I might consider a 12yo if their own parents or someone were next door or very close and willing to be called on. Otherwise 14 seems to be the accepted age round here (if sensible, etc obviosly)

Ragwort · 11/09/2013 10:49

Totally depends on the individual, I can't imagine many 12 year olds would be really capable of looking after two younger children - you say there is no childcare involved but presumably one of your children might wake up? Would they know what to do in an emergency?

As purple says, if their parents are next door and can be called on it might be OK.

However I know of a situation where an 18 year old (childcare student Hmm) was babysitting and didn't know what to do when one of the children was sick, had to call her own mother to help.

SPsTotallyMullerFuckingLicious · 11/09/2013 10:52

When I was 12 I was looking after my cousin who was a few month old. I looked after him til I was 16 and he was 4. This was on a night maybe 3 or 4 times a month.

But I was also used to look after siblings at that age as I was the oldest of 5 by then.

Original poster
ProtectiveMother · 11/09/2013 13:08

There would be no Childcare involved. The girl has younger siblings 3 & 6 and has already minded my kids in the daytime for a couple of hours with her sister (11) (and father in the house.) It would not be for long periods, just 2 hours or 3 hours when kids asleep. They live in the next street and mother would be available but I would not go this route. I would simply have her text or call me in the 5% chance that a child would wake.

OP posts:
Original poster
ProtectiveMother · 11/09/2013 13:09

I was wondering what is legally acceptable.

OP posts:
exoticfruits · 11/09/2013 16:21

There is no legal age.

Takver · 11/09/2013 17:53

I'd generally say 14 providing you have an adult on call (eg their parent) or are close by yourself with mobile signal.

Takver · 11/09/2013 17:54

That's not a legal age, just what I would go with (and what seems to be the norm round here)

flow4 · 12/09/2013 03:40

There is no legal age. The NSPCC say "The law does not set a minimum age at which children can be left alone. However, it is an offence to leave a child alone when doing so puts him or her at risk."

No child under 16 can have legal responsibility for the care of another child, so you remain responsible for your children even if you leave them with her and must satisfy yourself they are safe and well. If something goes wrong and your child(ren) come(s) to any harm, you are responsible, not the babysitter. You are also potentially responsible for her if she comes to any harm, since she is in your house and under 16.

The law says you must look after children under 16 in your care, so

AngryBeaver · 12/09/2013 03:55

I think that's a bit mean to judge her ragwort?

When a child you are in charge of becomes ill, Inexperience is a scary thing, much better that she asked her mum for help, imo.

AngryBeaver · 12/09/2013 04:08

Oh, and I would probably say 17 was an ok age to babysit.
Although I did when I was 12!

livinginwonderland · 12/09/2013 07:56

I babysat for my neighbours kids (3 and 5) when I was thirteen. My parents were just down the road though and I was either there during the day or after they'd gone to bed. I never had to do more than play with them, cuddle them if they woke up crying or change nappies.

I think it depends entirely on your kids and how much you trust the babysitter and how responsible they are. There's no legal age for babysitting.

NomDeClavier · 12/09/2013 08:39

16 would be the legal age for someone to take responsibility for a child so I'd extrapolate from that and say 16.

12 is too young in 99% of cases, 14 is borderline. Even some 16 or 18 year olds would be clueless, but saying that I also know 30year olds who would be so after a point it's down to character rather than age!

NomDeClavier · 12/09/2013 08:40

Besides, a babysitter isn't there in case they wake - it's also in case there's a fire or a break-in. Minuscule chance if it happening, of course, but you'd need to trust a babysitter to be able to deal with that appropriately on their own.

Yonihadtoask · 12/09/2013 08:44

I used to babysit for a neighbour's child a few doors down at age 13/14. I was (relatively) sensible though.

I think 12 is too young.

A lot depends on the teenager.

claraschu · 12/09/2013 08:49

My 12 year old babysits our neighbour's daughter, who idolises her. I am always home and "on call". They have a wonderful time together, my daughter gets a huge confidence boost (and earns money), the mum gets a great babysitter for a bargain price and I am one minute away in case of emergencies.

LadyPeterWimsey · 12/09/2013 09:23

DS babysat our other kids (unpaid) from 14. He is very mature and sensible, we have lots of people he could contact in an emergency, and we would never go too far away. Now he's 15 he has looked after a friend's kids while they were sleeping for an hour or two but not put children to bed and I've been just down the road.

Original poster
ProtectiveMother · 12/09/2013 22:25

Thanks everyone for your comments. They have given me some things to think about. It was just a consideration as I thought it could be suitable but I think I'll just stick with the babysitters I have for the time being.

OP posts:
SuperiorCat · 13/09/2013 09:41

Very much depends on the teen and the circumstances.

If they were mature, sensible and had a nearby parent who could be there in a flash if there was a problem then I think age doesn't come into it.

ssd · 13/09/2013 16:33

mumsnet is like a parallel universe sometimes

I'd be looking at getting a babysitter for my 12 year old.....

bigTillyMint · 13/09/2013 19:04

DD(14) has been doing a bit of babysitting for our NDN's since she was 13 - it was early evening at first and even now they get back before 11. There is always one of us in, but she has not needed us so farSmile

BackforGood · 13/09/2013 19:20

My 14 (15 in Oct) yr old dd is looking for babysitting. She's a Young Leader with Scouts, she's first aid trained, she's got loads of experience (and could get references) of looking after people's children whilst they are around, but she's really struggling to find anyone who considers 14 to be old enough. I agree with everyone else. Although there's no legal age, 12 is certainly too young.

purpleroses · 13/09/2013 19:21

BackforGod - can your DD approach the parents of the Scouts? That's how I get most of my babysitters. I know they're good with kids and my DCs know them already.

BackforGood · 13/09/2013 20:37

hmm - that's a thought purpleroses, I think she'd been offering people we know with babies, but I think with older children you have probably relaxed a bit, so that's a good idea - thank you.

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