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Sure. We have, many times. In my experience with using teen sitters for the last 3 years, in 3 different cities, is that I'm happiest with them when I leave very explicit instructions. For example, if I don't say "no TV," the TV will pretty much always come on. And I've gotten dinner ready before the sitter came, and I come home 2-3 hours later and the food is still sitting out...ay ay ay. But if I'm very clear, it works out fine. My girls have loved pretty much all of the teenage sitters we've had.

Yes, we've done it several times since my daughter was about 12 months old. We even used a high school girl to watch LO1 for a week while our nanny was on vacation last year. LO1 was almost 2.

We are for the first time tonight!

I had a regularish high school babysitter the past 2 years but she went to college---boooo. She was really fabulous, though. Our local High School has a "safe sitters" program where the kids that join take a CPR course, learn about safety and developmental stuff about kids, and learn how to be babysitters basically. Then the HS hosts a "meet and greet" and families can come and interview the potential HS babysitters. I went one year and "interviewed" a few kids in the school cafeteria--that process was awkward because it was very formal and all the little kiddos had typed up resumes and stuff and I didn't know really what to ask, and all the teacher/group mentors were watching, haha.

BUT I got a great sitter. I don't know if they cover this stuff in the class, but she was extremely "hands on" and played with our older one, was really good at feeding her. Our house would be spotless when we got home. The few times we asked her to come sit when the kids were already asleep, she didn't even turn on the TV! We have security cameras and I would check in and she would just be sitting on the couch, quiet as a church mouse, reading a book or doing homework.

I asked her once if she wanted pizza or anything to snack on, and she just said "no thank you. I eat at home". haha. Adorable.

I need to get a new teenage sitter.

My sitter is 15 and she is fabulous. My son loves her, and she always does a great job. Her parents live nearby (and we know them well) so that helps me feel comfortable too, but I really think age is only one factor in choosing a sitter. Plenty of college kids are immature too.

Definitely. I babysat starting at, like, 12. I would not trust a 12 year old with my kids but 16, as long as I knew them, absolutely.

My babysitter is 15. I won't leave T with her until she has CPR training. She's a family friend so I trust her. For now she just hangs out with T while I work at home.

I do all the time. So far all were my former students.

Yes I would definitely use a high schooler that I knew and trusted or was recommended by a good friend.

The majority of our sitters have been middle school and high school!
I loved babysitting from 12-18 and it was a great income so I love to give other boys/girls that opportunity. In many ways I prefer younger baby sitters cause they get kids so well.
I've had a young baby sitter even since he was a baby. I have no concerns. The teenagers I know, I know their parents well and the kids themselves are respectful and responsible.

Yep, I babysat as a middle schooler/high schooler and I have no problem using a high schooler now! My girls are old enough now that I don't worry as much (19 months/4 years.) I usually use grandma or aunt care when they are babies but now that they are older, high schooler for a few hours is okay with me!

I don't see why not.