Am i being over protective?

Question

i am a first time mom with a 6 month old daughter. i have co-workers who have 13 year old children that would like to babysit for me. My husband thinks i should let them, but i just dont feel comfortable leaving my 6 month old baby home alone with a 13 year old. when we need a babysitter we usually leave gracie at my moms house. i just feel more comfortable this way because my mom is a mother and obviosly has more experiance. i have a 14 year old sister who is usually home and she helps out my mom, and i dont mind if she is home alone with gracie for maybe 30 mins, but i dont want her home by herself for 5 hours. maybe when gracie is two i will consider havin 13+ babysit her, but i just dont want to leave my baby with a teenager. am i too protective of her?

Answer 1

No, definetly not. Babies are extremely fragile and delicate. You shouldn't trust a 13 your old with a 6 month old baby, Trust an adult that you know very well and trust to babysit for your child instead. Those teenagers who want to babysit for your child could babysit for her when your child is a toddler or kid, but not a baby. You're not being overly protective, you're being a good mom. :)

Answer 2

I wouldn't do it, either.

But consider hiring them as mother's helpers when you're home (so you can clean the house or whatever while they play with the baby).  You'll get to know them and they'll develop some loyalty to you ... and then in three years when they make awesome babysitters you'll have a better chance in getting hold of them!

Answer 3

not at all i would be a little weerie of leaving my little angel with some teenager but yuo never know i am 14 and a babysitter and ive sat for year olds and some youngher-this is up to you

Answer 4

I wouldn't leave a baby that young with a 13yr old.

Answer 5

No, I would not let a 13 year old watch your 6 month old baby.  My son is 15 teen years old and I wouldn't let him watch his little sister that is 10 months old.  It's hard enough for me being a mother watching my 10 month baby.

Answer 6

h**l no, you're not!!

My brother has friends who say they want to babysit for my kids all of the time.  I'm like, eh...no.  you don't know these days.

Answer 7

you should hire someone older and knowledgeable someone like me who babysits professionally and charges 7 dollars in hour make sure shes above the age of 13 once you child is  2 or 3 then its fine to hire a 13 year old because babies are fragile in this age http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 8

No, not at all! I would feel the same way if I had kids. 13 is still far too young to be taking care of a 6 month old! Babies need a lot more care and attention than younger children and toddlers. When she is older it might be okay to have someone 13+ babysit her, but for now I would stick to leaving her with your mom.

Answer 9

I think 13 year olds are old enough to watch children who can communicate but 6 months is too young.  Anyone who has been around a crying baby for five hours knows how frustrating it can be, a 13 year old doesn't have the skills to handle it.  I agree with you, it's OK for a half hour or so but not a long period of time.

Answer 10

13 on average is too young, I have seen some responsible thirteen year olds, but most are not ready for a responsibility like that.

Answer 11

No way would I even leave my 2 year old with someone who is 13. At that age, they are not equipped to deal with emergency situations and have not had enough life experience. You are leaving them in charge of your child's life. That's not being overprotective. I would worry too much. You've known your mom your whole life, you know she loves your baby and would always have her best interest at heart, she's not just doing it for the pocket money.

Answer 12

well if i was u i wouldnt leave my child with a 13 year old either bc if u think about it they bearly teenagers they still a kid their self know the age range for a babysitter for a 6 month old baby is like 16 and up but u do what u feel is right bc u should know what u need to do to make sure your child is in a good inviroment

Answer 13

no you are not being over protective. my brother has a 6 month old, and they wont take her anywhere other than my moms house. i know some people think you should let them babysit but its a human life. its YOUR BABY. nobody should have to MAKE you give your baby to them.

Answer 14

I don't think you are. As a mother myself I feel the same way. If I feel a certain way or don't want someone watching Cameron, I listen to my gut. I really think 13 is too young to be watching a newborn. Too many things could happen, and alot of 13 year olds aren't really mature enough to handle stressful situations. i.e. baby fussing,  choking. etc It's a lot of things that could happen. You just love your child that's all.!!

Answer 15

What is the worst that could happen?

Leave the person with a couple of phone numbers. She will be fine.

Answer 16

I agree with you. When a baby is 6 month's old they need extra special attention to different things. I think your decision to wait until she is older is good because I am 16 years old and when I was 13 I would only babysit "babies" that were about 3+ because they know whats going on. I also don't think you should do that because you would be a nervous wreck thinking about it as you were gone.

I saw this and wanted to help. Have a great day!

Answer 17

I wouldnt say your overprotective at all. I am the same way with my daughter and Im a first time mom too.

Answer 18

i dont blame you for not wanting a young kid watch over an infant. find someone with experience, training, and certification. your child deserves someone who knows what they are doing.

Answer 19

ALWAYS follow your instinct. Always.... no you are not being over protective. With babies, I always get older sitters. For the older kids, like 4 and up... I don't mind the young ones. But for babies, I like them over 16

Answer 20

You are right and your husband is WRONG!  I never leave my children 4 yrs old and 20 months old with anyone other than my dad or my mom!  I'm sorry but I will not take chances with the most precious gifts I have been given.  You need to leave your children with people who love them or else you don't know what will happen, until they are at a more independent age atleast.

btw, even you were being over protective, so what, you should be, more parents should be over protective.

Answer 21

My friend left her 3 week old baby with a 12 year old girl all day, it happened by accident cause a 27 year old girl was supposed to be helping but she bailed out.

Answer 22

I am a 13 year old and I know how you feel. I personal can understand if it is only a 6 month old. If it were a 6 year old then it would be another story. But I can understand you being worried a bit, but really  I think it should be okay to let them baby sit for you.

Answer 23

no every new parent is protective the teen is not going to hurt ur baby i say let um

Answer 24

First time parents are always overprotective - we were also.

How "old" is this 13 year old? - meaning how mature. Some 13 years old I would not want to watch my children - others no problem.

Does she have any experience with watching kids (either younger siblings or other babysitting jobs?).

Does she have any training?

Perhaps hire her to watch your child while you get time to clean the house - like go through a closet.  That way you can be near (in a bed room) but not in the same room where she is with your child.

Answer 25

I don't think you're being overprotective, I wouldn't do it either.

Answer 26

i think that's reasonable

when i babysat, i wouldn't even want to babysit a 6 month old! it's too much pressure, and much more difficult than an older child.

it's reasonable, just wait until she's older then let the teens babysit her. If i were in your situation i'd be the exact same way.

=D ~halebear~

Answer 27

I wouldn't like it either. Maybe if you hire one of them for some training first and if it looks like they are right for the job then give it a shot.

Answer 28

No way would I let a 13 yr old regardless of how mature watch my children.  I think the youngest person I have let watch my kids was almost 16 but there were adults around so in case of an emergency it would be handled.  At 13 would the babysitter recognize if your child became seriously ill or hurt herself.  To be honest  lol I dont  think when my kids are 13 Id even be comfortable about them being home alone let alone responsible for someone else.

Answer 29

No i wouldnt trust a 13 year old with my 6 month baby and i dont even have a kid yet!

depending on how mature they are id say 14/15 very youngest - i babysat a 5 and 6 year old when i was 14.

but still you arnt being over protective at all! for a child that young id get a nanny or a professional! xx

Answer 30

That's not overprotective. How does it feel when the baby cries and cries and cries, overwhelming right? How will a little 13 year old handle it? They can't. I'd leave my baby with someone who was at least 17+ and had a lot of experience with working with babies.

Answer 31

No i don't think so.  First you really don't know the 13 year old that well I would be leery.  But a way to check is to to let the 13 year old come over while you are there  or go to the mall with her and the baby.  Make the 13 year old in charge of Gracie.  While you watch and see how all that goes.  Its hard to get good babysitter so I would give her a chance. ask alot of what would you do questions too.