https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 26 May 2026 17:42:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1886240 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 14:20:43 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1886240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 11. </p> <p>I've had several responsible 12 year olds watch my toddler! I'm fine with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1886228 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 14:12:54 +0000 jhd 1886228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in 5th grade and watched our next door neighbors' son who was in kindergarten after school for an hour every day. But my mom was also right next door if I needed anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1886186 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 13:53:00 +0000 LuLu Mom 1886186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>12, and normally the kids were in bed, and I would watch TV/sleep on the couch until the parents came stumbling in from their partying ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1886132 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 13:26:40 +0000 mrsrain 1886132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am pretty sure I was ten, maybe 11, but it was for a family that lived a few houses down from us, and my parents were always home at the time in case anything happened. By 12 for sure. Now that I am a mama I can't imagine leaving my daughter with someone that young! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1886032 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 12:50:31 +0000 lilteacherbee 1886032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 12 when I started babysitting my baby cousin. He's now 13 and the thought of him watching my LO freaks me out! Haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1886010 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 12:41:29 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 1886010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>11. </p> <p>I remember when the huge earthquake hit in my hometown, I was babysitting 6 children (2 of them were my siblings), and I was barely 12 years old! My mom and her friends had left all the kids with me while they went out to lunch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1886007 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 12:39:42 +0000 Adira 1886007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 12 and took a babysitting class and got certified in CPR before I babysat anyone. I also never babysat any babies. My usuals were 4-5 years old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1886001 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 12:39:00 +0000 rattles 1886001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had my first job at 11. I don't think the mom realized I was as young as I was, and she didn't ask me back for a while upon finding out :wink: I started babysitting regularly at 13 and had a summer job as a mother's help at 14. FWIW, I'm the oldest of 5 which seemed to give people a sense that I had an idea what I was doing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885997 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 12:38:23 +0000 MaryM 1885997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 9 or 10 when I started out as a helper type thing (I'd keep the kids occupied while the mom was still home just to help her out). Then around 12 or 13 started doing it solo.</p> <p>If someone has a lot of experience around kids, I think the age matters less. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885984 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 12:34:17 +0000 mrs. tictactoe 1885984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would babysit my cousin for short periods of time when I was 10. I think I started babysitting for money once I could drive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885947 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 12:23:12 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1885947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>14 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885908 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 12:08:56 +0000 JMOM 1885908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 12 and I did it several nights a week while the mom and my mom took college classes. I hated it and I think that affected my view of kids for a while. I wouldn't let a 12 year old watch my kids - for their sake and the 12 year olds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885887 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 12:03:52 +0000 luckypenny 1885887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>12. I would probably let a girl that young watch my kids after the age of 2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885868 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 11:57:01 +0000 Mrs.KMM 1885868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 12. I loved babysitting and did it all the time from ages 12-18. (Had a couple opportunities in college but not consistently). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885602 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 10:20:07 +0000 snowjewelz 1885602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in 7th grade! Which is crazy b/c I don't see myself trusting a 7th grader these days to babysit lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885530 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 09:56:09 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1885530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>14. I babysat all day for the entire summer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885526 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 09:54:45 +0000 Willow 1885526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: yeah, I can't imagine leaving my (not yet existing) kids with a teenager for the weekend! Although I was very responsible, it definitely scared me out of wanting kids for a while. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885502 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 09:47:53 +0000 ValentineMommy 1885502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 13-ish. I don't think I'd leave my baby with a 13 year old. I remember specifically feeling really ill-equipped. Lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885486 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 09:42:06 +0000 Mamaof2 1885486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Willow: :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885465 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 09:33:31 +0000 Willow 1885465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 12. I don't remember which kids I first started babysitting... But when I was 15, I babysat a 4 year old, 2 year old, and 8 month old, for the whole weekend! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885443 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 09:26:48 +0000 Alivoo01 1885443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Early teens </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885437 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 09:24:33 +0000 RsMom 1885437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was also 12 and looked after a 1, 2, 3 and 5 year old. They were really good kids but looking back I think they were crazy for leaving them with me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885433 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 09:23:49 +0000 .twist. 1885433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: haha Exactly what you said. I seriously could have written your post! </p> <p>I was 12. Babysat 3 boys, a newborn, toddler &amp; pre-schooler. I had lots of fun doing it and was good at it. </p> <p>However, I look at my 10 year old now, and just think our parents and their parents and so on, must have been smoking drugs because there is no way I would leave our 10- turning 20 year old son with my toddler! LOL. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885427 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 09:23:12 +0000 pui 1885427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 12. I took a babysitting course at that age. I'd probably leave my kids with a responsible 12 year old if they had taken the course I did. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885424 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 09:22:31 +0000 autumnlove 1885424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 14 and I didn't have to do much...just sit and watch TV or read after the kids were asleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-were-you-when-you-started-babysitting#post-1885422 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 09:21:41 +0000 Mamaof2 1885422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 12 and watched a newborn and his 2 older siblings (I think 2 and 4?)</p> <p>Now that I am a mom there is no way I would leave my kids with a 12 yr old! What was she thinking?? :silly: </p>