Hellobee Boards Topic: What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?

Hellobee Boards Topic: What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 22:02:44 +0000 Corduroy on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1616317 Tue, 06 May 2014 12:41:05 +0000 Corduroy 1616317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Bao: I also started at 11 with babies. At 12 the toddler I watched got a baby brother so after that I watched toddler and baby. By the time I graduated high school one family had five kids so of course I watched them all. I've talked to DH about how I cannot imagine hiring an 11 year old now to watch my 14 month old. My parents told me to skip the 16-18 year old babysitters and go for younger or older. They think once kids get their license they are more likely to have their minds on other things or invite their SO over. IDK, I haven't hired one yet. Elderberrygin on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1616156 Tue, 06 May 2014 11:49:43 +0000 Elderberrygin 1616156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Depends on the sitter. I'd let my stepdaughter, whose is 13, watch LO for a few hours as long as we were a quick drive away. She's a very responsible 13 year old though. Outside the family, around 16 sounds reasonable. sunshineandsushi on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1616047 Tue, 06 May 2014 11:24:43 +0000 sunshineandsushi 1616047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ College-aged. I think because I have twins though, I'm even less trusting. The only non-family or non-friends we've ever left the boys with is the teacher from their old daycare, who I can trust to handle and has experience dealing with multiple babies at once. As they're getting older, I would maybe consider someone 16-18 y years old. Bao on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1616001 Tue, 06 May 2014 11:08:13 +0000 Bao 1616001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MUI831: I know I started at 10/11 but there's just no way I'd leave someone that young with my kids! Mrs. Jump Rope on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615973 Tue, 06 May 2014 11:00:31 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1615973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Bao: my gut says 18, BUT I was definitely babysitting at 12/13... In hindsight, I was so young!!! Mommy Finger on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615968 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:59:35 +0000 Mommy Finger 1615968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ How times have changed. I started babysitting at 11 and was watching a family of 5 kids starting at 12. Can't imagine that now. We only have used my parents so far but I'm guessing we'll start branching out soon. We have a 12 year old next to us that I"m hoping we'll get to start using in the next few years. She's the oldest of 7 so I'm guessing she knows a thing or two about kids. :) mrsjyw on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615935 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:48:39 +0000 mrsjyw 1615935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 16 swurlygurl on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615865 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:27:47 +0000 swurlygurl 1615865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Oh man, so many considerations... I babysat a lot when I was in middle school (10-12ish?), but it was families I knew really well through Church, the kids were all at least Elementary school age, and it was usually after they were already asleep, so I didn't have to do much. It depends so much on the kid, their maturity level, the behavior of my own kids around other people, the difficulty of my children... I would definitely consider someone 10-12ish though, assuming all factors were in favor of that. Torchwood on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615829 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:19:58 +0000 Torchwood 1615829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ The first time I babysat I was 12, the baby was less than a month. BUT! My mom was next door (it was our neighbor), and she came over a couple of times to check on things. My sister is 14 and regularly takes care of kids toddler and older. Personally, I wouldn't leave a 2 month old with anyone who wasn't at least 16 and known to be very mature. looch on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615813 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:16:07 +0000 looch 1615813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ It would need to be an older teenager for sure...we have a pool and while it is fenced in, accidents happen and I am just not trusting enough of people to really watch my son or care for him in case an emergency happens. Mrs. Pen on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615752 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:01:58 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1615752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I have a 14 and 15 year old babysitter who frequently watches my son. It has worked out very well and I trust them! I would likely allow a 12-13 year old at the youngest because I have a toddler. For an infant, probably 15+. I also prefer they have experience with children (these teens do) and know CPR/basic first aid. I've never been further than half an hour away when a teen babysits, and usually it's at our house so DH is only a mile away. ETA: my baby sister is only 9 now, but does "mothers helper" type babysitting for me frequently (I stay in the house). When she is 12 I will definitely let her watch my son without me there. she is very mature for her age. MrsTiz on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615741 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:59:27 +0000 MrsTiz 1615741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I would say 16 for extended times, but if it was just for an hour or so maybe 13/14? It sounds so young but I know that my sister babysat starting at age 11 and was great! It also depends on the kid who will be the sitter, Jane at 11 could be MUCH more mature than Alice at 11.. you know? bushelandapeck on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615729 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:55:33 +0000 bushelandapeck 1615729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 16/17 for me would be the minimum unless I was home and just needed someone to entertain DS while I did things around the house. 2PeasinaPod on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615704 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:46:59 +0000 2PeasinaPod 1615704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'm not sure! That's a great question. I remember babysitting at 12 and 13...and one little girl I babysat was a 1 year old. I don't think I would leave my 19 month old with a 12 or 13 year old now unless I knew they were responsible, and I put LO to bed first. sorrycharlie on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615699 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:43:13 +0000 sorrycharlie 1615699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'm crazy pants. so I basically only trust my parents, a couple select aunts with her, and my grandmother. I would trust my brother but he has zero interest. (this doesn't include DH obviously). cyndistar3 on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615680 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:37:36 +0000 cyndistar3 1615680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We have a 12 year old girl that babysits for us but she is extremely mature for her age, she can cook and has no issues with putting our lo's to bed. I just love her! She also has first aid/CPR training. Cole on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615674 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:36:43 +0000 Cole 1615674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think 14 or 15 IF the baby was going to be asleep already AND either we or the sitters parents were going to be close by. We have plenty of options nearby to make those scenarios work though so I don't really need to think about compromising. And actually during the day if I need to run errands I would be OK with the same setup if I have an easy going kid. snowjewelz on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615640 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:29:42 +0000 snowjewelz 1615640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I started babysitting when I was 13 and I took a Red Cross baby-sitting course and learned CPR. So I would def say 13 as long as they're responsible! CupQuakeWalk on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615634 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:27:26 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1615634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @T.H.O.U.: us too. My brother was 14 when he started "babysitting". We ALWAYS put LO down to bed for the night before we left though. I let my 16yr old brother babysit normally sometimes but only for short periods of time so there isn't any cooking or bathin involved. T.H.O.U. on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615626 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:22:52 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1615626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We have a 12 year old who has come over when D has been asleep before. Her parents are home next door so we never really worried. For a baby as young as 2 months though (and really any baby under age 1), I would really think about an older age like 13-14 or a high school minimum. blackbird on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615581 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:08:44 +0000 blackbird 1615581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ A 9 and 11 year old watches E and some toddlers for an hour at the gym. They're in a glass room where I can see them and hear them the whole time, so that's not really the same, heh. I'd be ok with mid-teenage age for E now, at 1, if we were to leave the house for a bit. Provided they are responsible. Bao on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615580 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:08:33 +0000 Bao 1615580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Trailmix: almost 2 months and 20 months, so young! LuLu Mom on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615579 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:08:29 +0000 LuLu Mom 1615579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I've used my daycare lady's daughter and she's 13. LO knows her and she was comfortable with her, and she's very mature, and is obviously around kids all the time. We have some cousins that are 13-14 that I would trust as well. pinkcupcake on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615575 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:07:56 +0000 pinkcupcake 1615575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ It would depend on how old my kid is. If she was an infant, I would probably only leave her with an adult. Around toddler, I would leave her with a college-age sitter. I think if she was around 5 or 6, and it was only for a couple hours, I would consider a really responsible high school student. Trailmix on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615574 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:07:53 +0000 Trailmix 1615574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ How old are your kids? If they're over 3, I'd probably be fine with someone in the 14-15 year old range, although maybe only for during the day. Younger children and for bedtime/nighttime I'd want someone over 18. Smurfette on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615571 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:06:57 +0000 Smurfette 1615571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ If it was a night when LO's were already asleep, they had CPR training/babysitting class, maybe 13. Bao on "What's the youngest age you would consider for a babysitter?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-you-would-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-1615561 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:03:45 +0000 Bao 1615561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We are starting to look into babysitters so we don't have to always rely on my parents. I have several cousins, neighbors and family friends with teenagers, all various ages. I babysat at a very young age but for some reason I'm more nervous thinking about age when it comes to watching my kids. I know maturity has a lot to do with it as well. I know a few of them are younger but have taken babysitting classes and are CPR/first Aid trained. What's the youngest age you would consider for someone to babysit your kids for a couple hours.