How young is to young to be a babysitter?

Question

My half sister is 11 and she baby sits for her sister who has a 4 yr old and and a 4mth old. she also was looking after her big siters friends new baby who is 7 weeks old.

i dont really have much contact with them but i also have another 11 year old sister and a 15 year old and a 19 yr old sister.

i let my 15 yr old baby sit but id never let the 11 yr old sit as i think that is way to young and i was appauled to find out that my half sis was aloud to babysit as it is way to young especially looking after a new born.

what do you think.?

Answer 1

12, if she's a precocious young girl you trust.  17-18 year old girls need money too, and they can do good...if there's trust.  Otherwise, Auntie will do.

If you can pay for day care, that's a shot.  But just stay home with them yourself as much as possible.  That's all.  I'm sure you're doing better already than you thought you would.

Answer 2

under 13/14 IS 2 young in my book

Answer 3

I personally have never allowed anyone but an adult member of my own family to care for one of my children - but I would never consider anyone under the age of 16

Answer 4

I started babysitting when I was 12, but it was only for one kid and only every once on a blue moon.

Answer 5

i guess under 14

but not just any 14 year old a mature one tht has already proved she knows how to properly hold and look after a ababy

your right in being appalled

Answer 6

Depends on the individual, as a single Father, I had to leave my two Sons alone at 9-10, they fought a bit, but somehow we all managed to survive. With a tv and other things to keep away boredom and plenty of munchies,etc. it's amazing, with the proper parental guidance, how kids can get by themselves.!

Answer 7

I babysit a 12 year old - so an 11 year old is way too young!

Answer 8

it is against the law to leave a minor with anyone under 14 years.

Answer 9

An 11 year old is WAY TOO YOUNG! Wow. I couldn't imagine. I'm really protective of my Daughter, she doesn't stay with anyone but Family and even that's a rarity.

Answer 10

Children grow up and mature at different times.Some 14 year olds have more sence than 21 year olds.I would never have left my son with anyone younger than 16.When he was 14 i still had a sitter for him.Saying that i was lucky that i had my mum & dad close by.

Answer 11

It is against the law to allow a minor to be looked after a minor. A minor is considered by the NSPCC to be under the age of 18 years. We all know, that over the years babysitters have ranged from 14 years upwards and it depends on the knowledge of care that the carer has. I mean I had a baysitter who was at college training with the childcare centre and I allowed her to look after my son, but I was away for 2 hours and she had all the numbers to contact me. In emergencies like the need of first aid and the risk of the minor running into panic if anything happened to the child they were caring for I personally think 11 is too young, but 15 is acceptable in some circumstances.

Answer 12

11 years is way too young!

The carer of the child (i.e. the baby sitter) needs to be old enough to act in an emergency. How on earth can an 11 year old competently look after a 4 month old? My son is never out of my sight, at 6 months old, and the only time he has been out of my sight, he's been with a qualified nursery nurse or his father. I would never dream of leaving him with someone under the age of 18... and who has experience with children.

Answer 13

i have an 11 year old sister and i would never let her look after my 18 month girl mabey when shes 13

Answer 14

honestly depends on the child them self, alot are more mature than others but still 11 is too young and to take care of a young baby thats just not right. I would say 14 and up no one younger should be responsable for a young infant

Answer 15

It would depend on the childrens age and how many at once!