Babysitting option for 13 yo??

[taximomfor4]

I have been checking the kids clubs and sitters, but cannot find an option for our group. On our August trip will be: dd13, dd8, ds6, dd4. The kids clubs take kids up to 12 yo, as do the recommended inroom sitters. HELP!! I just wanted one evening for a few hours with dh to catch Illuminations without the kids.

Beth

 

[familyoffiveAZ]

I'm not much of one for rule breaking, but I wouldn't think it would be that big of a deal to pass off your 13yo as 12 and do either the club or in-room sitting. The only reason I can see them putting a cut-off on the age is because many parents don't utilize babysitting for children that age -- figuring they're old enough to fend for themselves. Can't imagine there are any liability issues involved with them accepting someone over 12.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I'm not much of one for rule breaking, but I wouldn't think it would be that big of a deal to pass off your 13yo as 12 and do either the club or in-room sitting. The only reason I can see them putting a cut-off on the age is because many parents don't utilize babysitting for children that age -- figuring they're old enough to fend for themselves. Can't imagine there are any liability issues involved with them accepting someone over 12.

Actually, as someone who works in the field, I can tell you there are significant liability reasons. Most places have rules the determine how far apart in age children can be within a group. This is primarily to protect younger children from being exposed to significantly older children. If, for example, a young child was roughhousing with a teenager and got hurt, the center would certainly be liable.

I am not saying that the OP should or shouldn't pass off their child as younger -- just to say that those cut offs are there for a reason.

Having said that if the OP's going to pass off a child as younger, I would think that a babysitter would be a much more economical way to do so, given the number of children involved.

 

[taximomfor4]

thanks guys,
Maybe I will start trying to contact the different companies, and see if they can still do it if dd is 13. (By the way, she is turning 13 a month before we go.)

My DH has a good friend (best man in our wedding) who lives near WDW. I thought about contacting him and his wife, to see if they might consider watching the kids for us. Of course we would pay them, but I would feel bad because they would probably rather go WITH us, we never see them anymore. I just want to surprise DH with a night out. We'll badly need it!

 

[mom2my3kids]

I know the feeling, my kids will be 13,9 and just shy of 3 years old when we go in october. My daughter will of just turned 13 and I do not feel comfortable leaving her by herself.

 

[bopper]

My daughters were 12 and 9 and we felt comfortable leaving them in the room while we went to DTD. This was at the 12 year old's request...otherwise we would have all gone!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

Are you sure that there is a age limit for the in room sitters?? I know that the club do have and that is dictated by florida law because of mixed ages but I have never heard meniton of this with the in room sitters. I am not confortable with in room sitters but it is an option for many families and might be ok for you. Worth checking out.

Good luck

 

[taximomfor4]

Well, I am not positive but the one most often recommended is Kids Nite Out I think. It is for 6 weeks to age 12. I'll check the other few right now if I have time. I HOPE if I call and talk to them, they might have a solution for us. We don't HAVE to take an evening out, but I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Illuminations and have gone to watch it alone (no kid distractions, complete immersion) but I want DH to be next to me. We could use a big old kick of romance.