Baby Sitting

[StephenKay]

Hi there,

Need advice from American mothers, our friends and ourselves will arrive in Oct 05 fora long vacation. We were wondering whether it is legal in Florida for the 17 year old to be left in charge if we went to Pleasure Island. We have never been in 7 trips, either couple. She is a responsible individual.

The legal age limit in the UK is 16 years old.


:jumping4:

 

[rocketriter]

Never heard of a legal age limit like this. Other posters, have you? I know that in the US, in-home babysitting starts when the sitter is about 14. In fact, my son has earned Red Cross Babysitting Certification and he's 11. (We don't leave him in charge of his younger sister for full evenings alone, but will probably begin to do so after he turns 12, and allow him to sit neighbor kids at 13.) If you know and trust the 17-year-old, if the youngsters are manageable, and this is only for an evening's excursion, I for one don't anticipate a problem.

 

[NMW]

I don't think I have ever heard of an age limit. There are several babysitters in my neighborhood who are around 15-16 that people I know use on a regular basis. I never have, but I'm paranoid.
I think 17 would be perfectly fine to babysit. You should not encounter any problems. Have fun!

 

[rbuzzotta]

Hi Stevie,

We left Stephanie with Rachel and Kristen this past summer while Michael and i went to JellyRolls for the first time!! We were staying at the BWV. I think your little Rachel (I am sure she is getting big now!!) will be fine!!

We got some movies and pizza for the girls and they had a great time. It was the first time we did it and we also had the Nextel 2 way calling so we checked in often.

Have a great time and say hi to Mary from us!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kathleena]

I know that in Maine (or rather - I've been told that in Maine) it is not legal to leave a child under the age of 16 without an adult. Now - in context - this had to do with guests leaving children (and we are talking 6-10 year olds) in the store alone while they went shopping in the mall. If they left them and we discovered it, we would call Security to come pick up the children. Security told us that leaving them under the age of 16 is child abandonment in the state of Maine.

Now - I think Disney has a 7 year old age limit for being on rides without adults and I think I've heard 10 years old for being in the parks on their own?

Good question.

My opinion is that 17 years old babysitting in the room would be fine. But letting them go to the parks, may depend on the ages of the other children.