Hellobee Boards

Depends on the kid/teenager. We've had one 12-year old come over a few times as a "mother's helper", so I was at home, but upstairs working while she watched LO. We have a friend with a (I think) 13 year old daughter who I would definitely be comfortable leaving LO alone with for a couple of hours - but she is a total little tween-grandma and is super, SUPER studious and loving and mature. Much more than her peers. That said, I wouldn't really trust most 13 year olds I don't think, maybe more like 15 or 16.

Depends on the kid, but if I knew they would act responsibly, that LO liked them and I was relatively close by in case of an emergency, I wouldn't be afraid of leaving someone once they take the Safe Sitter class, so 12-13. Especially since your littlest will be in bed. Barring an emergency, I would think the worst thing that could happen is that she can't get your other LO to bed. And I would assume at this age it doesn't *really* matter if they go to sleep exactly on time or not.

Depends. For D, who is 7, I'd consider 12. For M, who isn't a year, 16 if she has experience.