Hellobee Boards

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.

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.

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.

@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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

16

@Bao: my gut says 18, BUT I was definitely babysitting at 12/13... In hindsight, I was so young!!!

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: 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.