Suitable age to look after 10 year old sister

[Mumoftwogirlies]

Hi all,

I have 2 daughters aged 13 and 10. They are both very mature for their age.

What age do you think is appropriate for me to leave them for an hour or so?

I know the law has no age, and I was babysitting 3 and 4 year olds at 13!

Thanks!

The age isn't the biggest consideration, the sensibility and maturity level is. You say your 13 is mature for her age, so I would start letting her babysit in short bursts, see how it goes, and increase the time from there.

Make sure you outline VERY clear guidelines and rules, and make sure your 13 year old follows them. For example, never open the door to strangers, no wearing headphones while she is in charge, no having friends over if not approved by you first. Your 13 year old should be able to contact you at all times, and it would be good if there is a trustworthy neighbour she could call upon as well.

Will the 10 yo defer to the 13 yo?

If they get on well I don't see why you shouldn't leave them on their own for a while.

Mine are 14 and 10 and are fine to be left for hours. They know not to open the door to anyone or to have friends over .

If depends on maturity not age. Will you youngest do what the oldest says?

Will you youngest do what the oldest says?

And will your oldest not let the power of being "in charge" go to their head that they end up in a physical disagreement. That's what happened with me and my dbro, I was watching TV but dbro decided as he was in charge he could change the channel. Couldn't cope when I tried to stand up to him and hit me on the upper arm, never hit me before and it was nothing serious but sore/deadarm. When dad heard about it dbro got a very loud very long lecture on whether he wanted to be the kind of man that hit women!!

Still remember it 40 years on!!!

I would leave my 10 year old on their own for an hour, definitely would leave them with an older sibling

As long as they get on well it would be fine! My dd is 14 and babysits her 10 and 5 year old sibs . She's also been paid to babysit my friends children who are 1 3 and 6.

Also I would leave my 10 year old home alone for up to two hours if he had a back up somewhere close.