would you leave a 15 year old to watch a 2 year old at your resort

[auralia]

I am going to disney in october for 8 nights. I am brining along my 15 year old neice to help out w/ the baby and so we don't have to ride alone on the big rides. I am also bringing her to perhaps babysit at night (after the hour of 9 or 10pm for the most part with one evening lunch around 6 on one night). This is a VERY responsible 15 year old. Her mom has huge health problems so for the last 5 years she has raised her brothers (2 of them) and taken care of the house to include laundry and meals while her dad is working (i know it's sad). Also she already has a job at such a young age too so she is very responsable along with being a straight A student.

We are bringing her with to help but also because I know this is something she will never be able to do w/o someone bringing her. I can't afford to take all of them but i am taking her on the pretext of having a baby sitter (other wise her dad would see it as a hand out and i don't think he would let her come). So I need to let it seem as though she is sitting at least some. My 2 year old has crazy amounts of energy and is up tell 10 or 11 every night. We plan on all going back to the room for a mid afternoon break but would it be ok to bring the 2 back to the hotel and have the teenager nap w/ the baby and go do something for a couple of hours and come back for the evening jaunt on a couple of nights? I realize some days i will desperately want that nap.

I'm not too concerned about the after 9pm stuff (and we will all have cell phones) I'm concerned about nap time and also the one day hubby would like to go out to la nobia and dinner starting at 5 or 6ish) we are staying at CBR she could hop the tram w/ the baby to the foodcourd for dinner or she could order pizza in or we could go get them food before we leave... i know there are playgrounds there and a nice beach but do you think it's safe for the teenager to take the 2 year old out of the room w/ her? I am not worried about my neices sence of responsibility she is great w/ kids and wouldn't let anything happen to my daughter, i'm more worried about if there are any weirdos... am I being over protective? what would you do?

for referance we arn't using my neice we are paying for everything, a plane ticket to orlando (300$) all park tickets and meals on quick service dining plan along w/ 2 character meals and MNSSHP tickets all in all it is about 1200 extra to bring her... i don't mind the money... just please don't think i'm using her, if i were her age i'd be thinking oh hell ya free trip to disney reguardless of if i have to watch a small child some.

[kevschickee]

I would do it with a lot of restrictions. No pool or beach. In by a certain time and stay on the resort. A 15 year old can baby sit but it would only make me nervous because you are away from home.

[dhardawa]

I think she sounds perfect and I wouldn't be worried at all. I actually did this with some families I babysat for around her age.

My biggest piece of advice would be to not treat her like the babysitter though. Treat her like an equal. What I mean is, when you get to a grown up ride, maybe ride together and then one of you ride with her. This should be an enjoyable trip for everyone. Don't make her feel like she is 100% responsible for the child and an employee. I actually turned down a Disney trip with a family when I was about 19 because it became obvious that the trip was going to be me as the 24 hour a day babysitter.

[cassandrap83]

Originally Posted by dhardawa

I think she sounds perfect and I wouldn't be worried at all. I actually did this with some families I babysat for around her age.

My biggest piece of advice would be to not treat her like the babysitter though. Treat her like an equal. What I mean is, when you get to a grown up ride, maybe ride together and then one of you ride with her. This should be an enjoyable trip for everyone. Don't make her feel like she is 100% responsible for the child and an employee. I actually turned down a Disney trip with a family when I was about 19 because it became obvious that the trip was going to be me as the 24 hour a day babysitter.

my thoughts EXACTLY

[Marthasor]

If you are the least bit worried about the safety of your 2-year old, I wouldn't do it. Why not call Kid's Night Out or another professional sitting service for the times you and your husband are going to be away - they are trained professionals and could at least supplement the care your niece can provide. It sounds like your niece has a lot on her plate for someone so young and could use a break. I understand you are providing her with a wonderful trip for free - perhaps she could show her gratitude in another way (maybe babysitting for you at home in a familiar place without the danger of strangers or pools, etc.)

[Hannathy]

Originally Posted by dhardawa

I think she sounds perfect and I wouldn't be worried at all. I actually did this with some families I babysat for around her age.

My biggest piece of advice would be to not treat her like the babysitter though. Treat her like an equal. What I mean is, when you get to a grown up ride, maybe ride together and then one of you ride with her. This should be an enjoyable trip for everyone. Don't make her feel like she is 100% responsible for the child and an employee. I actually turned down a Disney trip with a family when I was about 19 because it became obvious that the trip was going to be me as the 24 hour a day babysitter.

I agree 100%

I would have no restrictions on her, heck I'd even let her take her to a park, swimming or whatever she wanted with the afternoon or any time she is watching her. 15 is plenty old enough, around her by the time the kids are 15 they don't even want to sit anymore.

Take her relax, and have a blast!

[kevschickee]

Originally Posted by Hannathy

I agree 100%

I would have no restrictions on her, heck I'd even let her take her to a park, swimming or whatever she wanted with the afternoon or any time she is watching her. 15 is plenty old enough, around her by the time the kids are 15 they don't even want to sit anymore.

Take her relax, and have a blast!

You are a better person than I am sister lol

[Stitchnut]

I understand your concerns. I'm a bit overprotective myself. It sounds like she is a responsible girl and has had many things to deal with in her family. I think it's wonderful that you are including her to go with your family. I would let her know that your are happy to have her come along and perhaps before you leave, sit down with her and share with her how you are feeling about her helping out with your 2 year old. At first, I would ask them to stay in the room and maybe if she is feeling more comfortable, take a stroll around the resort. I'd be a little worried too about the pool. Good luck and enjoy all that Disney has to offer.

[auralia]

we live in georgia and my neice lives in minnesota so i can't really let her sit normally she is definatly an equal though, she doesn't think she should be and equal... she thought we werern't going to buy her tickets to the park and she was just going to stay in the hotel and take amber when we wanted to be alone!!!!! crazy child. her dad thinks she should be a "servent" to us, but 90% of why i'm bringing her is because she deserves this, the other 10% is to have an extra hand with my crazy toddler (she sees mickey mouse EVERYWHERE, if 3 balls are laying together on a floor it is mickey mouse... crazy)

also of note i'm doing disney florest on the day of MNSSHP and i ordered her something too, candy for both of them and the mickey head pumpkin candy holder and a pirate plushy for my toddler and a cheerleading minnie for my neice (she is a cheerleader too). so definatly making them as equal as possible and i told her she could pick out mouse ears for each person in her family to bring back to them and i'm thinking about having her pick a pearl for her mom in japan to bring back home to her with one of those carriage necklaces from ebay... why don't they sell that style at disney? it would be a huge hit.

also of note i'm not worried about the safety of my 2 year old, i'm more worried that some crazy guy would think my neice looked like a good distraction she is 5'4" and very slender and her dad can't keep the boys off of her at school, they drool at her feet. but it's a disney resort would any guy be so stupid in a public place?

[Belle4mygrl]

On the big rides use Parent Swap so she can go on the ride 2 times with the adult sitting out and vice versa.

IMHO, I would NOT let her take my toddler to the pool or even out of the room. 15 maybe responsible to babysit but you are FAR FAR away from home.

Although, you do what you are comfortable with and you know her level of responsibility. We can only give you information of our comfort levels.

have a fun magical time!

[JUJU814]

I would...absolutely. Have fun!

[tlh0726]

Since your niece and your daughter are not close enough to be really (or get) familar with each other, especially your niece knowing your daughters habits, routines, etc., I would limit them to the immediate hotel area and no pool or beach (to much could happen to quick. If your child was older I would say okay) Cooped up in a hotel room gets pretty boring with a toddler. A walk maybe halfway through the time would break it up nicely.

From your post, you are only leaving them alone for a few hours at a time. She sounds like she is a very responsible person. I think all would be fine.

You are doing a wonderful things for you niece

to you all having a wonderful trip!

Also on the big rides take advantage of the child/parent swap (?? what it is actually called) Not sure on this (correct me if I am wrong) but I think that your niece could ride twice. Once with you,while DH is with the baby, and then again with DH while you watch the baby. How magical would that be for her!!?

[dhardawa]

I just wanted to add...

I didn't mean to insinuate that you were planning to treat her like an employee. I just have seen families do that without realizing it and wanted to be sure you were aware.

At 15, if she is responsible, I'd let her take your daughter to the parks and such. If it is just her an your 2 year old in the park, she'll be 100% focused on the baby and they will have a blast. I'd also let her do the pool for the same reason. Now, if there were multiple kids, I probably wouldn't because it can be difficult to watch two kids especially when you don't know their abilities, tendancies, etc. But with one, that is a piece of cake. Making her sit in a hotel room (assuming the baby is still up) sounds booooring.

[Hannathy]

To the ones who say she is too young to take her out of the room or to the pool, Just how old would she have to be? I don't understand. You do realize SHE is old enough to be the life guard right? or if not it is 16 at the oldest. Or work at a camp as a counselor? or a Playground? I am really confused at what age you think kids have to be to be responsible. And there are the lifeguards.

To the OP we allowed our 14 yr old DD to stay in Epcot and take the bus back to POP by herself when we were there and to take her brother to the pool and arcade. She also went around to things in the parks and waterparks by herself, and She never had any trouble. There are always staff and families around.

[kevschickee]

Originally Posted by Hannathy

To the ones who say she is too young to take her out of the room or to the pool, Just how old would she have to be? I don't understand. You do realize SHE is old enough to be the life guard right? or if not it is 16 at the oldest. Or work at a camp as a counselor? or a Playground? I am really confused at what age you think kids have to be to be responsible. And there are the lifeguards.

To the OP we allowed our 14 yr old DD to stay in Epcot and take the bus back to POP by herself when we were there and to take her brother to the pool and arcade. She also went around to things in the parks and waterparks by herself, and She never had any trouble. There are always staff and families around.

I wouldn't let a teen take my kids to the beach or pool. I don't care if they are old enough to be lifegaurds. There is always an adult with my children when they are by any type of water. Toddlers move too fast IMO to make a teen watch them near the water. I would let a 15 year old baby sit my kids but not bring them to the beach or pool. They can go to the playground but not take the busses to any of the parks.