Would you hire this babysitter?

Question

I have 2 kids, a 6 year old boy and a 3 year old girl. My husband works from 8am-3pm and I work 8am-5pm, so my two kids need to be supervised for 7 hours a day on week days. Me and my husband originally had my mother watch the children while were gone, but she is starting to become a little slow and I think the kids are becoming too much for her to handle.

Anyways, a few days ago I recieved a flyer from this 13 year old girl who says she lives in our subdivision stating that she is looking for summer babysitting jobs. Do you think that I should hire her to babysit? Should I call the number in the flyer and see how much she carges, etc.? This is what the flyer said, do you think she is mature enough?:

Answer 1

I don't think a 13 year old would be good for a full time, 7 hr a day babysitting job.  I would not do it.  Now, babysitting for a date night or to run some errands would be great.  But even with her certification, a 13 year old is not equipt enough (emotionally, physically, mentally) to handle a 6 yr and 3 yr old 7 hrs a day for 5 days a week.

Answer 2

well u should meet up with her as a mother of 3 children thats wat i would do and if u think shes write for you and ur children the hire her and see how it goes if it dosnt go good tell her that u think its not working out

Answer 3

Have a small meeting with her and one or both of her parents.Maybe introduce her to the kids first.I'm sure she doesn't charge much and maybe she will even have you set the charge.It sounds like she is mature enough to handle two kids.Your children will probably like someone close to their ages yet someone that is old enough and responsible enough to watch your children.If I were you I'd hire her.

Good luck!

Answer 4

i think that i would have her come over to the house, introduce her to the kids, see how she does with them. then i would ask how much she charges, how many hours she's willing to work, etc. if you thought she was doing well with the kids. personally, im 14 right now, i would have loved to get a summer babysitting job, but i dont live in a neighborhood or anything so i couldnt do something like this. this time last year, i was trying so hard to find something to do to earn some money, but theres not much stuff ,except babysitting, that you can do when your this young. also, if she has put the time and effort into making these flyers and putting them in everyones mailbox, then she is probably pretty serious about it...i know i would have to be :) personally, it seems like everyone thinks teenagers are careless, but honestly, i don't think we hit that crazy stage till we are at least 15. haha.

well, i hoped i helped!

Answer 5

No.  Absolutely not.  Not because of it being a flier, but because of her age in combination with the amount of time and the responsibilities.  She's going to have to feed them lunch and put them down for naps (3 yo at least).  It would also be nice if she would take them to a park or to a play date with other kids.  I'd shoot for at LEAST a college student.  She needs more life experience to make good decisions and to follow through with discipline with the kids....is the 3 year old potty trained already, or is she going to help with this?

I absolutely wouldn't hire someone that young anyway to do more than 'mommy's helper'.  When I am home and need time to put the baby to bed or something around the house and get her to play with them in the yard for a few hours a day.

No.

Answer 6

Yes I would! Being Red Cross certified is really important... most people won't even think of hiring a sitter who isn't. I am and I've gotten a lot of babysitting jobs because of my certification.

She also sounds really professional and experienced.

Hire her!

Good luck!

Answer 7

She sounds like she has some experience, but keep in mind she is only 13.  If I were you, I would look for someone a little bit older and has more experience with kids.  13 yr olds can still be really immature and i would never trust my kids with a 13 yr old for 7 hours a day.

Answer 8

well meet her, get references and see her qualifications, see how she is around your kids, talk to other parents she has sat for, meet her a few times and see if you and the kids like her

Answer 9

I personaly think that she is respobale I think that she would be good at taking care of the kids.

Answer 10

I would never trust a 13 year old to be mature enough to care for my kids.

Answer 11

I would choose someone a little bit older.

High school students would be the best choice.

Answer 12

I would be leery.  It's great she took CPR and all - it shows initiave, but teenagers are still fairly wreckless and unresponsible. I would try her out - maybe 2-3 hours here or there on a weekend.  Let her get to know the kids and vice versa.  This way you can feel her out before asking her to do such long hours during the day. I know at 13 when I babysat, the girl was llike 7 and really only needed supervision and help with bedtime while her parents went to poetry readings and gallery openings, etc.  However I did it just for some extra money for the things my mom refused to buy me and I did it a night or two every week. I don't think I'd commit myself to 7 hours a day, 5 days a week.  I would have quit quick.

Answer 13

I would never hire a 13 year old to care for my children, not even a family member. that's too young.

Answer 14

well go meet her and have her "babysit" for an hour while your home. If you think she is responsible enough let her if not don't.

Answer 15

No, because it is not legal in my country.  You need to be 14 here.

But if it is legal where you live, you could contact her and interview her.  Perhaps ask around for references and get her to meet your children to see if they like her.  If all checks out why not?  She sounds okay to me.