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Yup. Once my kids were three, for sure. I babysat all the time in high school, I had the babysitters certificate and I took child care in high school. There are still some responsible teenagers out there. I'd just make sure I found the sitter on recommendations. I wouldn't find one from Craigslist or anything.

Yep. I hired a girl from my church for the summer when DS was 2 going on 3. She came with rave reviews, and many other moms in the church used her, so I knew she could handle it. Her younger sister also babysat a few of the days where she couldn't make it, also.

I babysat as a teen. My brother was 9 years younger than me, so I was used to kids.

I started babysitting at 12! There is no way I'd leave a 12 year old alone with my kids. Times they are a changing, I guess.

I would let a younger teenager babysit while I was in the house, like a mother's helper. Or if we knew a responsible well qualified older teenager, I might hire them for an hour or two. But I wouldn't feel comfortable with a teenager watching my kids for any extended period of time.

Depends on the kid I think. I work in the children and youth ministry at my church so I know them all relatively well. While there are many teenagers, there are only 1-2 that I would trust with my baby when she's old enough to be babysat. But I would definitely hire those 1-2 teenagers to look after her! I would not hire a teenage babysitter I didn't know personally, and definitely not from CL or something.

@Honeybee: I started at 12 too! I took the babysitting course that the local YMCA offered then my mom took me to the local paper and I placed an add offering babysitting services. I hated babysitting but I loved money!
I'd have no problem with a teeanger watching our LO if they come recommended. Honestly, most of the time we just need someone to sit in our house while she sleeps and call us in case of emergency.

I think I started at 11 and it amazes me that people were ok with it! We got locked out of the house once (my mom was home so we walked there but it was 4-5 blocks and we had to cross several streets.) Once a kid was stung by a bee, my mom wasn't home so I called my best friend's mom! I was a pretty level headed kid but I still wouldn't want to put another kid in that spot!

I think 16 would be as young as I would be ok with and that would likely be for sleeping kids (no bath or anything!)

I started babysitting at 13, but usually it was down the street or taking care of the nursery set at church. I don't think I'd have a problem with a responsible teen taking care of my child once he/she is two or so, especially because my family doesn't live super close to us.

Yep! I took the baby sitting course and occasionally baby sat my cousins or some kids down the street. The kids down the street were crazy! I was 14 and they were 11, 9, 6 and were SO BAD!! omg.