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Teenagers

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

Original poster

Advice on age

10 replies

PartyPartyYeah · 27/04/2023 13:20

At what age would you leave your oldest to babysit for an hour or 2 if your kids were 11 & over? Thanks

OP posts:
Simianwalk · 27/04/2023 13:22

I left my 11 year old on her own many times! And with her brother's from them being about 11 and her being 8

Original poster
PartyPartyYeah · 27/04/2023 13:23

@Simianwalk for context my oldest is nearly 16 and I am not sure

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 27/04/2023 13:24

If the youngest is 11, I think it's fine to leave them unattended for shortish periods.

I wouldn't necessarily give the oldest one the responsibility of babysitting the younger ones though. Unless they are quite a lot older.

WheelsUp · 27/04/2023 13:25

Are they likely to fight? Mine could be left when they were younger than 16 and 11.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 27/04/2023 13:25

X post. I think that would be fine to leave them, OP. Assuming both NT.

DorisElward · 27/04/2023 13:26

As soon as they are happy to be left together.

loafintheoven · 27/04/2023 13:28

I think this very much depends on the children involved. My DD was babysitting for other people before I'd leave her with my (4 years younger) DS! She's very responsible, but also his chief antagonist.

Original poster
PartyPartyYeah · 27/04/2023 13:28

@MrsBennetsPoorNerves there's a 13 year old too, interestingly they are all ND but my oldest is very responsible

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 27/04/2023 13:43

PartyPartyYeah · 27/04/2023 13:28

@MrsBennetsPoorNerves there's a 13 year old too, interestingly they are all ND but my oldest is very responsible

Hmm, then it's a bit difficult to say without knowing your individual children.

Would you leave the 11yo and/or the 13yo alone without the oldest one? If not, why not?

I would be cautious about putting too much responsibility on a ND 15yo. On the other hand, if the younger ones would be fine to be left without their older siblings, I don't see an issue.

How do they feel about the prospect of being left? Particularly the older one?

Mamadothehump · 27/04/2023 13:49

Does an 11 year old need babysitting for a couple of hours?? My god, I left mine overnight when they were 15, 13 & 11!! They were all happy to do so, are very sensible, get on well and knew what to do in case of emergency.

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