https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:43:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter/page/2#post-2403272 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 14:30:01 +0000 pastemoo 2403272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends on for how long? To watch him for date night, when he is already in bed, yes. Overnight, no, at the pool, no. Once he is 5 maybe yes? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter/page/2#post-2403264 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 14:26:51 +0000 Boogs 2403264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was that girl. Now that I'm a mom, I couldn't use someone that age. I would be most concerned that they couldn't save a life in a situation like choking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter/page/2#post-2402700 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 07:20:57 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2402700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started babysitting a little bit older than 11, maybe I was 13 and that seems really young to me now that I'm about to be a parent. However, the families I babysat for were my brother's friends and saw me interact with him before asking if I could sit for them. We all lived in the same neighborhood too, so I'm sure there was a comfort level. The kids were 6. One of our God-daughters will have a similar age difference and she's bright, so I could see us having her sit for us. Again closer to 13/14 rather than 11. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter/page/2#post-2402685 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 06:34:40 +0000 ValentineMommy 2402685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The thought of an 11 year old watching my 3 year old and 5 month old really freaks me out. If my kids were a little older, than maybe? But I dunno....11 is really young. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter/page/2#post-2402661 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 02:03:27 +0000 LindsayLou 2402661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would depending on a few factors. If I knew the kid well, my kids were older, and it was for a short period of time, I would consider it. I was babysitting at 11, took it very seriously, and would have called my mom if I ever had any issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter/page/2#post-2402655 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 01:23:30 +0000 Freckles 2402655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Okay, i must be the only crazy one then. I have had our 12 year old neighbour babysit our two kids in the evening. Now, in our defense her parents who are both doctors live next door (you could literally sprint to our house in 5 seconds) and are home when we have her come over. She is great with DD and DS is already asleep.</p> <p>(my only pet peeve is that she is almost always late :silly: ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter/page/2#post-2402519 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 21:22:25 +0000 runnerd 2402519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It nearly gives me hives to think of an 11 yr old babysitting my kids!! I was probably 12 before I babysat relatives, and that was rare. I wouldn't trust anyone under 14, and if I'm being realistic, I can't imagine actually using anyone under age 16. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter/page/2#post-2402490 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 20:50:49 +0000 HLK208 2402490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Littlebit: thank you!!! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter/page/2#post-2402477 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 20:37:08 +0000 Littlebit 2402477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: congratulations!!!! So excited for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402431 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 20:07:28 +0000 HLK208 2402431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Littlebit: yes!!! Baby #4! Eeek 😁 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402426 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 20:00:41 +0000 Littlebit 2402426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: OMG, did I just read 4th?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402421 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 19:55:15 +0000 JennyLayneAZ 2402421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haha nope. No way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402353 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 19:09:09 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2402353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would - with the right babysitter. I would have to know them well and know they'd do a good job. I babysat at that age and was a good sitter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402351 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 19:06:04 +0000 catomd00 2402351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For a few hours during the day with one toddler or preschooler I would if I knew them well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402347 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 18:58:20 +0000 HLK208 2402347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope!! I wouldn't hire a stranger under 18, honestly.</p> <p>I watched my cousins when they were babies and I was 11 years old. I think family may be different?? When DS is 11, my second will be 8 and I could maybe, SORT of imagine leaving them for a quick trip to the grocery store? I don't know...I'll have to see when the time comes. My third will be 6 and my fourth will be 4, so I definitely wouldn't leave them. I know how my 3 sisters and I acted when my parents would leave us home all day...so I probably will never leave all of them home lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402339 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 18:46:36 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 2402339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't. I babysat pretty young but its scary to think about now. I am a worrier by nature and a nurse so my mind always goes to the "what if's" and what would determine if someone was old enough/mature enough to babysit would be if they were capable of handling an emergency situation.. like a baby choking on something, a fire, ect. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402176 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 16:40:39 +0000 snowjewelz 2402176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not, but same as others, I was babysitting already by then too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402172 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 16:39:19 +0000 yin 2402172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No. So far I have only had family members watch my kids. My sister started watching my oldest when she was in high school, and I trust her only because she knew the ins and outs of my LO's routine. I have food allergies to worry about, and it's hard for me to trust people. One small mistake can send my kids to the hospital. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402162 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 16:25:25 +0000 Finfan 2402162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I babysat at 12 but the kids were school age and it was generally for only a few short hours. My mom always made sure she was home those nights in case I needed help. It was a small town and all the houses I babysat in were less than 2 miles away, most within a short walk.</p> <p>I think I would prefer to hire a babysitter old enough to drive though! So 16 here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402115 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 15:46:03 +0000 Ms. RV 2402115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I were, say, across the street the entire time, then yes. Otherwise, no. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402101 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 15:32:08 +0000 josina 2402101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sungirl: exactly the same... My step daughter is 12 and we're not quite ready yet to leave her home alone with lo, although she does stay home by herself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402077 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 15:09:39 +0000 Alba4 2402077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first gut response was, heck no! I teach 11 year olds, and most are not responsible enough. But, I think there are extraordinarily mature girls that would become an exception. Maybe I'd hire them for a couple of hours while I ran a quick errand. </p> <p>I did have a regular babysitting job for a couple of hours once a week for an 8 month old when I was in 6th grade. I kind of can't believe it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402050 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 14:55:36 +0000 regberadaisy 2402050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>N.O. No. My 12 year old niece is quite mature for her age, really great with her little brother who's the same age as my oldest. I still would not trust her home alone with my children. Just because other parents hired you when you were 11 as a sitter doesn't mean that it was a good idea!</p> <p>When I'm home just to keep an eye on them? Yes, for a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402033 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 14:47:13 +0000 sungirl 2402033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No way....even though I did it. My stepdaughter just turned 12 and I feel comfortable with her entertaining/watching the LO's (3 and 18 mos) while I am home, showering or trying to get something done, but not while I am out. We've just started leaving her by herself while we run a quick errand so I think she and we need to be more comfortable with that first. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2402001 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 14:24:15 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2402001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would consider it for 2 or 3 hours for my 2 year old. Definitely not my infant yet, she still takes 2 to 3 naps so reading cues is important. DH would squash those ideas instantly though lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2401952 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:57:08 +0000 HabesBabe 2401952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No way. Maybe a teenager for my 3 year old, but not for my 1 year old... he's way more challenging. Also, the majority of tweens and teens I know are waaaaay too into their phones to pay enough attention to toddlers/preschoolers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2401945 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:54:38 +0000 californiadreams 2401945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>not a chance. i don't even hire teenagers yet, but i feel like i should maybe start looking into it. LO is 3 now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2401942 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:52:37 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2401942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends on the kid. I've had a 12 year old babysit for us. She's amazing! I trust her, and I know her mom really well. Her mom is also only a few miles away should anything happen.<br /> When I was 11, I babysat while the parents were there. When I was 12 I started babysitting for up to 3 hours at a time while the parents were out. I felt I was pretty responsible for a 12 year old. I knew infant/child heimlich and CPR, and even had to do infant heimlich when I was 12. I also had three younger siblings and had previously worked in the church nursery. All this to say an 11-12year old can be experienced and prepared for emergencies. I don't think the same is true of most tweens, but there are some out there who would be better than most 16 year olds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2401941 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:52:02 +0000 erinpye 2401941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I babysat at 9! I can't even believe that now. No way would I hire an 11 year old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-hire-an-11-year-old-babysitter#post-2401938 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:50:51 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2401938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I might, if I knew the person well and knew her parents well, especially if we weren't far away. I was babysitting in my neighborhood at that age and I always knew I could call my mom if there was an emergency I couldn't handle. </p>