https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 13:29:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571435 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 13:56:41 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2571435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would. We will be having my 12 yr niece come stay with us and if she is willing, we will have her watch my 22 month old son. She will not have anyone around to help. We will just come home if she needs help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571334 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 12:02:37 +0000 snowjewelz 2571334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was def babysitting by that age too; I also took a class, etc. I don't know how parents trusted me that young, lol! </p> <p>I might not feel comfortable, but with your kids age, and the fact that her mom is right there, I just might. I'd just try it out and see how it goes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571321 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 11:44:47 +0000 LindsayLou 2571321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I'm this case I would. You know her, she seems responsible, mom's two houses down just in case, your kids are older, she's motivated to start babysitting. I wouldn't let just any 12 year old watch my kids, but in this situation, I would let her babysit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571306 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 11:18:59 +0000 808love 2571306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: I revise my answer to add I might do it since she has a younger sister. I assume you know she is responsible and her mom vouches for her. You might be able to give her just experience she needs. Your kids are old enough you can ask them what went on. And you could always nanny-cam. Going out and getting her CPR certification shows a lot of responsible, thoughtful behavior which is what you want. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571235 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:52:09 +0000 looch 2571235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is 5 and it would be totally okay IF it was a situation where they did not leave the house, meaning, they were kind of on lock down in the house. It would also have to be during the day, if my son woke up and we weren't there, I don't think a 12 year old could handle that chaos.</p> <p>I know my son and he'd try to manipulate the sitter into going for a walk down to the playground and that would be off limits. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571215 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:36:47 +0000 sapphire 2571215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any 12 year old? Probably not. But one that is interested, motivated (went and got her CPR card), and has her mom on the same block? Sounds OK to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571213 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:34:23 +0000 ElbieKay 2571213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, I would probably hold out for a 14 or 15 year old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571201 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:24:25 +0000 T-Mom 2571201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not me, but same reasons as Yin. I can't trust a 12 year old to make the right decisions on administering an epi-pen. Not unless the parent was present. I think otherwise, it would depend on the 12 yr old and how well they interacted with my kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571145 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 08:05:52 +0000 maddyz 2571145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would happily let a 12 year old watch my child. It sounds like it's something she is taking seriously enough to take classes. I watched 2 year old twins at that age and was regularly left home alone with my 3 young siblings + other children. Never for more then a few hours, but still. The neighbors where around, I had a list of numbers to call. I even called poison control on my own once. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571126 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 07:46:42 +0000 FaithFertility 2571126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No 12 is too young for me! My mind goes to emergency situations and I just would not feel comfortable! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571124 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 07:45:08 +0000 yin 2571124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not hire a 12 year old for my kids due to their health. With their food allergies, I need someone who can use the right judgement to administer antihistamine or epi-pen without hesitation. </p> <p>If they didn't have food allergies, I may consider it and have some test trials while I'm at home with them. See how the 12 year old interacts with your kids and give her some hypothetical scenarios to see what she would do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571095 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 07:00:14 +0000 Mamaof2 2571095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: yes she has a younger sister</p> <p>@Mrs Spoon: $8 is cheap! She is in middle school and the high school kids ask $10-12</p> <p>@Truth Bombs: I wouldn't have her do baths </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571062 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 00:51:54 +0000 808love 2571062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if the kids are sleeping, I would. And if not, I would definitely do the test run thing. I also was not a good co-babysitter at that age. My cousin ran the show but we didn't know what we were doing. Does she have little brothers or sisters? I think she needs real experience with kids before I would do it with them awake and I would be super picky. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571058 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 00:21:57 +0000 Mrs Spoon 2571058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: $8 overall is definitely cheap, but for a 12 year old? I don't know, seems high to me for someone with no experience. I pay $14 - $17 for a seasoned nanny or college student to sit for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571048 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 23:27:43 +0000 ALV91711 2571048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, at 12 and her mom being two doors down. I think for a few hours or less should be fine. I'd even do it at bedtime but skip bath time that night. </p> <p>12 seems so young, but I know I was babysitting young kids when I was that age.</p> <p>If it was for a longer period of time, like the whole day, or late at night I'd use an older babysitter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571032 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 22:11:22 +0000 Anagram 2571032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I would if I really knew the girl well. I have a niece that is just great with kids and I would have let her do it at that age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571026 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 21:53:46 +0000 Freckles 2571026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Spoon: I'm actually thinking $8 is really cheap!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571025 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 21:52:41 +0000 Freckles 2571025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, especially if they are 5 and 7. My 13 year old neighbour babysits my 4 and 1.5 year old and even put the 4 year old to bed. Her parents live 10 steps away.</p> <p>That being said, I would not hire her if her parents weren't next door. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571022 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 21:49:40 +0000 Mrs Spoon 2571022@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to babysit infants when I was 12. So if she seems like a mature 12 year old, I'd go for it. But $8? Either inflation has gone crazy or babysitting pays crazy more than when I was in the game. Or maybe I'm just getting too old. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2571020 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 21:41:16 +0000 Boogs 2571020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did at that age for family on a very regular basis, one kid as young as 2. Looking back, I can't believe everyone let that happen lol! I'm not sure I could bring myself to do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2570984 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 20:38:11 +0000 Mae 2570984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry, but hell no. lol. I was 13 when I babysat. I was a straight A student. Anyone would say I was super responsible. Families I went to church with hired me. I was an AWFUL babysitter. I totally ignored parental instructions and let the kids do whatever they wanted, as long as they left me alone basically. And I didn't even have an iPhone to distract me! Tweens are the worst lol. I just wouldn't trust one to be paying close enough attention to keep the kids safe because I don't think they are capable of understanding the weight of their responsibility. </p> <p>But then again, I've never left my daughter with anyone other than daycare or her grandma. So... I'm definitely the far end of the spectrum. (I WOULD leave her with a trusted older babysitter with references if my mom wasn't around) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2570940 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 18:54:51 +0000 Truth Bombs 2570940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would if the kids would be asleep and her mom would be home. Or just playing with them for an hour or something. But I would not be comfortable having her feed or bathe them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2570923 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 18:05:06 +0000 caterw 2570923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to babysit a family with 4 kids (ages 3-8) when I was 12 as well as some other smaller families. The parents were all friends with my mom and everyone lived within a 5 minute drive of my house if I needed help. It was totally fine- the parents always premade dinner or left pizza money so I didn't use the stove and we would usually just play board games or watch a movie until bedtime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2570875 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 15:35:46 +0000 teawithpaloma 2570875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2570874 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 15:35:05 +0000 MoonMoon 2570874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends on the individual, but I think I would for an hour or two here or there because at 5 and 7, it's more about companionship than keeping them alive like with babies. I'd probably make some rules like no using the stove, no leaving the house, etc, YMMV. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2570851 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 14:57:02 +0000 MrsSRS 2570851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would. With mom two houses down, daytime not night, less than four hours, probably. Some 12 year olds (and 5 and 7) are more reliable than others so it's such a case by case thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2570847 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 14:46:30 +0000 erinbaderin 2570847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My brain says yes and my heart says no. I definitely babysat at 12, for kids much younger than yours. And having her mom close and your kids already knowing her make me feel good about it. But 12 sounds so young! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2570837 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 14:28:43 +0000 charlotte 2570837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was going to say no until you said her mom is two houses down - I think that's fine as long as the mom is that close in case of a big emergency. And I definitely also babysat neighbors at that age so I don't know why it seems so young to me now :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2570819 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 14:10:56 +0000 lamariniere 2570819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: they probably weren't thinking lawsuits or "bad parenting decisions" splashed all over the internet. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitters#post-2570817 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 14:10:14 +0000 regberadaisy 2570817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eh - probably not. My niece is 12 going on 13. She is really great with the girls but I don't think I can trust her yet with my kids for an extended period of time. When they visit she's Great for 15 minute intervals and such. It might be different if her parent was 2 doors down. </p>