https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:10:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter/page/2#post-2069035 Fri, 13 Feb 2015 16:25:52 +0000 Dandelion 2069035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends. For D, who is 7, I'd consider 12. For M, who isn't a year, 16 if she has experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter/page/2#post-2069021 Fri, 13 Feb 2015 16:19:51 +0000 illumina 2069021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I'm in the minority here because I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving LO with anyone under 18. Unless it was an emergency I wouldn't leave her with anyone our family doesn't know extremely well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter/page/2#post-2068998 Fri, 13 Feb 2015 16:03:56 +0000 BadgerMom 2068998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter/page/2#post-2068955 Fri, 13 Feb 2015 15:41:33 +0000 meredithNYC 2068955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I knew the kid well, probably 13 or 14. But for a newborn, probably more like 16. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter/page/2#post-2065300 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 20:07:45 +0000 yoursilverlining 2065300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2065199 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 18:52:21 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2065199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm pretty sure I was 12 years old when I started babysitting for non-family members. So since she's family and you know her well, I don't think I would have any problem with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2065192 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 18:45:45 +0000 Bao 2065192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks guys, I'll talk to DH about it more! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2065157 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 18:10:05 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2065157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>15 or a 16 for a couple of hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2065143 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 17:47:55 +0000 Mrs.ThinMint 2065143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>16, but only because I would want them to be able to drive in an emergency. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2065139 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 17:45:25 +0000 autumnlove 2065139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think 15-16! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2065135 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 17:38:57 +0000 looch 2065135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>16. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2065130 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 17:33:09 +0000 regberadaisy 2065130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My gut reaction was a mature 16 year old. Since your cousin can't drive, personally, I wouldn't go more than 5m away. But that's me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2065111 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 17:17:15 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2065111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I say it's fine. We had a 15 year old babysit for us (not a relative, a friends stepson) after ds was in bed. He watched tv and all was fine. Since your youngest is in bed anyways I'm sure it would be great :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2065087 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 16:58:40 +0000 SweetiePie 2065087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm the scaredy cat who will say 18+. Seeing 13-17 year olds now, they just seem so young.<br /> My teenaged cousin babysat my nephew and she was distracted by her phone and social media (which weren't around when I was a teenager and I think makes a huge difference) and he rode a bike down a short flight of steps. That just sticks in my mind.<br /> I only say 18 because thinking back to my freshman year of college I think I was mature enough to understand that social media and cell phones could wait, I wouldn't be as distracted. Although those things didn't exist while I was in college either so who knows, haha. But I imagine I would have had the discipline at that age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2065027 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 16:20:07 +0000 Charm54 2065027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have two 13 year old neighbours who are awesome - super mature and DD loves them. I've known them since they were little. I wouldn't go out of town or anything but I have no worries leaving them alone for a few hours or in the evening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2065011 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 16:10:56 +0000 JerricaBenton 2065011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I babysat at 13 and was pretty mature for my age. I think for me it would all depend on the babysitter. If I were to have someone babysit who was in the 13-15 range, I'd have to know her or her family very well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2065009 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 16:09:59 +0000 Bao 2065009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: yes my in laws are close. They never actually babysit for us but they could come and take over as an adult until we got home if needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2065005 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 16:08:58 +0000 erinpye 2065005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started babysitting my cousins when I was 9. For family, depending on how responsibile the cousin is, maybe 12+. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2064999 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 16:07:12 +0000 littlejoy 2064999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: Oh, I know. That's why I said I don't have an answer. We don't have a home phone either. You know that intuition goes a long way. If you feel like you can trust her, you're probably making a great choice!! Do you have a neighbor that can be reached in case of an emergency? Maybe even letting the neighbor know the sitter is there.</p> <p>ETA: I just saw that you have family close by. I'd totally go for it! :) If I thought there was a chance a grandparent could come by, I'd be the most responsible sitter possible! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2064988 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 16:03:28 +0000 Bao 2064988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: she has an iPhone but needs it we don't have a home phone. When she was here in the summer to hang out she wasn't on it any more than I was. I have no doubts she wouldn't put my kids before her phone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2064978 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 16:01:23 +0000 littlejoy 2064978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was probably 12 or 13 when I started, but here's the concern: I didn't have an iPhone!! I wouldn't trust any teenager if they had their phone with them. My sister is 16, and she's attached to it. I would seriously fear for my kid's wellbeing knowing that distraction was around. </p> <p>I don't know if I have an answer. Really productive! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2064927 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 15:46:31 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2064927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>12-13. I'm pretty lax as long as I know them, their family, etc. plus my kid is almost three, he just needs a play mate and someone to keep him safe. </p> <p>This week we had to find backup care and my go to girl is 13! She's awesome with him and I trust her! Plus her mom is a mile away, and dH only works a mile from home too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2064839 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 15:16:35 +0000 blackbird 2064839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd be cool with a cousin or family friend that age. Otherwise, 15-16 for a 2.5 year old. I don't feel like it's a big deal if it's not very long and she's responsible </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2064825 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 15:11:44 +0000 pinkcupcake 2064825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It would depend on how well I knew the person &amp; their maturity level. Also how old my LO is... no matter how great the teen, if I had a newborn or younger infant/toddler, I don't think I would leave them alone w/them. </p> <p>My friend's daughter is 13 and she's so good w/my LO. I would feel comfortable leaving my 3-year-old daughter with her for a couple hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2064734 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:47:26 +0000 lilyann 2064734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it was family that my kids were familiar with, then 13-14? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2064719 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:44:01 +0000 snowjewelz 2064719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started baby sitting in middle school but either older kids or I was only there for bed time so essentially did nothing. </p> <p>I would wang 15+ for my kid, depending on the person. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2064716 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:43:26 +0000 Bao 2064716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: yeah see if a 14 year old I didn't know did that I would be like umm no way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2064710 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:42:32 +0000 PrincessBaby 2064710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably 15. Someone in our neighborhood sent a message out to everyone (on our neighborhood site where we all have accounts) and offered her daughter's babysitting services and she mentioned her daughter was 12 and I was like "Hell to the no! You crazy, lady!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2064707 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:41:32 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2064707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started babysitting around 12 but my immediate answer for my own personal child would be 15. It really just depends on how comfortable I feel my child is with them </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-youngest-age-youd-consider-for-a-babysitter#post-2064702 Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:40:59 +0000 Bao 2064702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: yeah if she were not my cousin (I watched her as a baby!) I would prefer 17-18. </p>