Advice only - No flames please...

[tlbwriter]

Would I do it? Never. Should you do it? It's your decision. Personally, I like the idea of sharing a drink on the balcony instead.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Just curious--how old is everyone's babysitters here on the DIS? My dd is 11, starting to babysit, so I would have no problem with OP's plan, especially since they'll be so close with cell phones... But I seem to be in the minority...
I've found that it's better to just go with your gut rather than take a survey here on the Boards...
Have a great trip!

 

[bronwyn]

I think that you can answer this question better than anyone Twelve year olds can be so different! We have a niece that babysits (and is twelve) and is honestly more mature and reliable than some of our older sitters. Of course, we're talking about a hotel and not being at home. I would certainly make sure that they understood not to open the door to anyone except yourself and make sure that the 12 year old feels comfortable with it.

I would just say, use your best judgement and do what you feel comfortable with!

 

[stahshee]

I would and in fact I am going to!

 

[LoveWDW]

I babysat for neighbors when I was 12.

In this case the little one is already asleep. The 12 year old could call the parents if the child woke up. The parents are nearby anyway, right? The lounge isn't miles away, it is in walking distance? The children are not in an isolated house but in a building that has other people around.

As long as the 12 year old is responsible, and you know if this is true or not, then by all means walk to the lounge and have some time together. Perhaps you would be comfortable limiting the time to an hour. Then you could walk back and check in quietly.

 

[zurgswife]

We have done it...we had a cell they had a cell....worked out fine. We called to check in. As long as you are comfortable with your kids maturity to watch the 2yr old.

 

[tessqt]

I would especially if she watches the little one at home. I started babysitting at 11 and I have/had sitters who are/were 12. Just give her a cell phone.

 

[nemomama]

Would I do it? Never. Should you do it? It's your decision. Personally, I like the idea of sharing a drink on the balcony instead.

I like the idea of having a drink on the balcony too, or like another poster who suggested getting adjoining rooms.
Again, I personally wouldn't do it...if alone time with DH is that important, why not take a short vacation another time, without the kids?
Also, you could look into a professional babysitting service that could come to your room and watch your children.

 

[laurietg]

I remember babysitting fully awake toddlers when I was 13. If you think the 12 year old is responsible, I don't see the problem with her watching the 2 year old.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Without a doubt , go ahead! 2 years ago when my DD were 11 & 9, we use to get up have breakfast in the lounge while they slept. After 3 mornings, one lady who had her hands full with 3 toddlers looked at my DH and I asked us if we had any kids!

Go enjoy yourself, give your DD a soda and snack and she'll be set for the night.

 

[gepetto]

sure. the 12 year old could call you if the 2 year old even woke up. you'll just be downstairs.

 

[undertheradar]

Former hotel security employee here. Don't do it! Get yourself a nice bottle for your room and enjoy the balcony as others have suggested. You will be on vacation and 2 year olds are unpredictable at best. Peace of mind would be best and quiet time on the balcony would allow for some time away without being far away!

 

[emer95]

I absolutely would! We have a 12 year old sitter who we use frequently, and she is so responsible- MUCH more so than the 18 yr old we had once and will never have again! Plus, as someone mentioned, you'll be right downstairs, and you can be accessed in seconds via cell phone. Go for it, and enjoy yourselves!

 

[hellow]

I don't see a problem with it either. My daughters have babysat since they were that age, and with you being in the same building, it doesn't seem to be a big deal. The cell phone is a good idea--just make sure you can hear your cell phone ring or use the vibrate mode. We had trouble hearing our cell phones at the highest volume with all the background noise everywhere in Disney.

 

[Lewisc]

At home would you leave the 12 year old with the 2 year old if you went into town to get a newspaper? If you were next door with your neighbor? If not then don't do it on vacation.

 

[crazymomof4]

At 12 yo I was babysitting a 6 mo old.
At 13 I babysat a 1 month old, and her 11 month old sister and 7 yo brother...on New Years Eve! Yes, I feel I was mature for my age. I guess the parents of these kids thought so too.

You know your DD12 best. If you feel she is mature enough, talk to her about it. If she feels comfortable and you do too, then I would say "go ahead".

BTW- I used to leave DS in charge of DD when she was 2 and he was 13. He's very responsible with her.....keeps and eye on her at all times, very protective!

 

[Julia M]

At home would you leave the 12 year old with the 2 year old if you went into town to get a newspaper? If you were next door with your neighbor? If not then don't do it on vacation.

That's good advice. Dh and I plan to leave our kids for a dinner out, but we leave them at home all the time. Oldest ds has his own cell phone, which we'll bring, and we'll drive a car (not dependent on transportation)

I wouldn't leave kids that I hadn't left before.

julia

 

[SorcererDonald16]

I personally wouldn't do it, not solely because of the ages of the children but because of all the things that can happen in a hotel. Now, I'm 22 and have no children, but I am big on precautions (not what you typically think of a recent college grad, but oh well, LOL), especially after volunteering for quite awhile at a preschool. I doubt any of us really think of seedy people hanging out in Disney resort hallways waiting to break in rooms or trick people into letting them in, but you never know what might happen. That being said, if you do go ahead with your original idea, I'd strongly suggest going over how to lock the door (I believe there's a deadbolt and a swinging metal type lock) with her (and the obvious one of don't open the door to strangers).

The fact that almost all of the rooms have balconies should be something you should think about as well; no matter what age, it's easy to go out there and get dizzy when looking over the rail (especially when added to the heat), and that can (obviously) be very dangerous. That happened to me this last trip; I got really dizzy and had to sit down quickly. So, again, if you do go with your idea, making the balcony off-limits is probably a wise idea.

I agree with other posters' suggestions that going out on the balcony would be a nice idea or hire an in-room babysitter (if that's only do-able for the 2 year old, perhaps use the kids club for the 12 year old?). Better safe than sorry, imo.

 

[nwdisgal]

No flames here. I think it depends on the maturity of your 12 year old and if she is comfortable being left with the 2 year old. If she is, I say go for it. Trust me, with the cell phone, she'll get a hold of you if she needs to and you are close by.

I babysat when I was 12 and it was an infant (my nephew). I was actually very attentive and responsible to him at that age. Alot of times as kids get into their teens, they start becoming more interested in hanging with their friends than watching a younger sibling. Either that, or they'll take the younger sibling along with them on their adventures.

 

[Zoesmama03]

If it was "Home" I might because it would be familiar and they'd have safe neighboors to go to for help. AT Disney I suppose if he was told to call front desk in emergency maybe. But my only problem is the what if 12 year old falls asleep and 2 year old would somehow escape. So if for a couple hours and the 12 year old child would be awake the whole time maybe. But I don't think I'd do it unless at home. Just the way I'd be.

I say if law says you can leave 12 year old with 2 yr old go for it. Nobody should be allowed to enter though unless comfirmed to be CM or police in event of emergency. Want to add that when I was 13 I babysat a little 2 year old and later also his baby sister. So if mature child I'm all for it.



Sadly I know a friend got in big trouble with the Las Vegas police because she left her 5 month old safely sleeping in hotel room in the playpen to run down to her car to get some baggage for less than 2 minutes. She was free to go but had the inconvience of going back for court. So check them laws is my advice.