Babysitter's Age

[MHopkins2]

Boogers. I'm used to boards with "No sigs, EVER!" policies, and have them turned off. I'm trusting you that it's a good one though, and don't sweat it - we all have them! I was covering the switchboard at work today (about 90% of the office, including the receptionist, was on vacation) and had the following conversation:

Good morning, the Smurfy Company!
Uh, hi. What does your company do?
We sell Yellow Page and Internet advertising, ma'am.
Oh. Are you a real estate company?
No ma'am.
You don't sell real estate?
No ma'am, we don't.
Are you sure?
Yes ma'am. Quite sure.
Huh. [pause] Well. [pause] Okay. [click]


[Sorry I've hijacked this thread so badly!! *sheepish* ]

 

[Manda1219]

Haha thats funny
I'll be nice and type out the digital camera 2 liner:
Me: What are those 2 backwards E's for?
My Boyfriend: ...that's a 33...

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by Manda1219
Haha thats funny
I'll be nice and type out the digital camera 2 liner:
Me: What are those 2 backwards E's for?
My Boyfriend: ...that's a 33...

Okay, #1 Hee! But #2 get ready to make fun of me - what the heck does "33" have to do with a digital camera??

 

[Manda1219]

LoL it was how many remaining pictures there were...it was on the screen

 

[huey duey & luey]

Originally posted by MHopkins2
The pay isn't THAT good!)


I dont know sitters here make anywhere form 8-10 $ an hour

 

[MHopkins2]

*sigh* Inflation! Although really, now that I'm thinking about it, for three toddlers at once, that's probably fair. I'm guessing your three keep you hopping??

 

[huey duey & luey]

hopping, jumping, running catching...................................

 

[peg2001]

Lots of people leave their kids with young babysitters but you are completely within your rights NOT to. I never would. Sure, they can probably handle playing with the kids, getting them something to eat, and putting them to bed. However, what if something went wrong: choking, sudden illness, head injury, fire?

Even a mature pre-teen or teen is likely to panic in an emergency. II'm not willing to take that chance. My children have only been left with trusted adults.

 

[peg2001]

(computer glitch. . .won't let me delete extra post)

 

[debster812]

Is hiring one of the girls from DS's Day Care Center. These young ladies do a great job, are not paid all that well (so they need the money) love being with kids, and are fully first aid and CPR certified. I felt better because she was a bit older (23). We left her a car seat, and she and DS went for pizza.

If your 3 are not in a day care setting, you could try contacting some centers near you, speak to the director to find out if any of the teachers do babysitting on the side (many of them do)

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Kallison]

Our first sitter was 12 and in 6th grade. Her Mom lived around the kids, my children were quite young. I think the oldest was around 3 1/2, 2 and 1. She would bathe them all, feed them, clean up the toy room and put them to bed. She was the best sitter we ever had. After she got too old we used her sister, but she wasn't nearly as efficient. Then we used girls from our church youth group, ranged in ages from 13 to 16. Now my oldest DS usually watches them he is 13.

 

[Evil Princess]

I think I started babysitting at the age of 12. I had two younger siblings, over twenty cousins (literally), and was quite mature. I was CPR certified and had more experience with kids than some 18 year olds that I currently know.

At the age of fifteen I had been a camp counselor in the summer at a day camp for two summers and a counselor at Vacation Bible School at my church for a couple of summers before that. I had been babysitting for years at this time, and had three families that I regularly sat for.

It got to the point that through my camp girls and the families that I regularly sat for I was getting far too many referrals and had to turn down almost all of them in order to keep sitting my regular families.

If this girl knows your kids and is willing to do a trial run, I'd say go for it. I understand that these are your children and it is your decision, but I was an excellent babysitter at the age of fifteen.

Honestly, by 16 I had a boyfriend and didn't want to waste valuable weekend time babysitting when I could go out with friends. I still loved kids, but I gave up that job my last few months of being fifteen.

BTW, whenever a parent asked me to come over for a bit before the job and stay at the house with them there, I never hesitated. If the kids are younger, it gives them a chance to get to know you and to feel comfortable with you before mom leaves them alone. I never considered that high maintence, it usually made the first job a bit easier!

 

[tiggerlover]

I started babysitting for my neighbors twins when they were 4 and I was 12. I also sat for the three kids across the street too. The good thing about this is that my parents were right next door or across the street. I don't think I started babysitting away from the neighborhood until I was a bit older. As a parent, the youngest person I have ever used was 13/14 and I knew the parents and they were neighbors and home when I went out. Now that I have no american neighbors the youngest I am comfortable leaving at home with my 7yo is 15/16.

In your situation, I would try the girl out, with a friend, this way it isn't so overwhelming for her and it is a comfort knowing her mother is only two doors down. Three toddlers are a handful, but I am sure two 15 year olds would do alright.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My babysitter is in college. She goes to my church and always is working in the preschool Sunday School. In fact she is coming in 3 hours because we are going to "The Melting Pot" for a friend's birthday dinner!

I always use 16/17 year olds or college students. I usually pay 8-10 per hour for 3 children and I want them to come back! I don't use babysitters often because we have grandparents 30 minutes away.

Lori