How Old Do You Think Babysitters Should Be?

Question

My dumb brother is discouraging me from babysitting. he's telling me that i have to be 16 to babysitting. i'm 14 years old and i think i'm old enough

Answer 1

I would wait till 16 cuz if and emergency happened you can drive

Answer 2

Depends on how old the children are and how many.  He might want a 16 year old for driving purposes.

Answer 3

im 14, i baby sit, ive been baby sitting since i was 11. your fine.

Answer 4

um..i am 12 and i am a babysitter..so i say at least 12... XD

Answer 5

14 is a bit young to be babysitting. If i was a parent i would want to have at least a 16 year old or older to babysit my kids.

Answer 6

I started babysitting when I was 13, but I doubt I would leave my kids with a 13 year old, except for my daughter. A 14 year old would be a maybe, I would have to know their grades and be able to trust them not to expose my younger kids to things I'd rather them not know yet.

Answer 7

Depends on the circumstances.  I was babysitting from 11 or 12 years old, but mostly for family.

If the family is still in town and not far away, I think 14 is fine, if you are mature and responsible.  If they will be going out all night or out of the area, I would want someone who could drive in an emergency.

Also, taking care of a pre-school or young school aged child might be fine for you.  However, preteens would be too close to your age and I would hesitate to leave a new infant with someone so young either.  Probably only children in the 4-8 age range...as a soon-to-be-parent, that's what I would feel comfortable with.

Answer 8

IT DEPENDS ON THE INDIVIDUAL. I started babysitting when I was 11/12. I AM mature though. And it was mostly for family and friend's family. Or friends. :P It all depends on how mature you are mentally and emotionally. I honestly, wouldn't hire a 11-16 year old to babysit for my son or future kids. I want someone who has gone through classes etc. That's just me. I don't trust most people around kids these days. Sorry.

Answer 9

depends on the age of the kids.  preschool or younger I would definitley want at least 16.  kids that age are hard to handle sometimes.