Childcare for 12 year old

[DisneyAlexandra]

My husband and I are eating at Victoria and Albert's for our 20th Anniversary. We are looking for a babysitter for our 12 year old. We were hoping this person could watch him in the pool, and then help him get dinner, then hang out in the hotel.

Kid's Night Out is too young for him. And I can't find any solo teen activities at Disney. Does Fairy Godmothers watch older children? Will they allow him to go to the pool? I can't find a website for them.

Our 14 year old daughter will also be with us, but I don't trust her to watch her brother in a strange hotel.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Mousemommy1]

He can still go to one of the kids clubs at 12. They serve dinner there. He could play video games and stuff.

 

[Alesia]

You will not find a trustworthy babysitting service that will watch your son in the pool. It's too much of a liability.

 

[Gracie09]

Kids night out will watch children up to 12 years old but no pool or other water

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd have the two of them hang at the hotel and watch a movie, or maybe hang in a park together. My youngest are 12, and I can't remember the last time they had a sitter.

 

[SEA333]

If your teenage DD and 12 year old middle schooler cannot be trusted to hang out at the hotel for a few hours together while you have dinner, the Kids Club might be right on par, maturity wise, for your son. I wouldn't worry about him being bored or thinking it's babyish. If you are worried that he will think it is, then maybe it's time to re-evaluate the babysitter choice. I don't know any 12 year old that wouldn't be fine staying with his 14 year old sister for a few hours.

Unless, of course, your 12 year old middle-schooler has special needs or other extenuating circumstances that warrant a babysitter? if so, I would definitely hire one, but not for the pool. If your DS is not able to handle being alone with his sister for a few hours, he should only be at the pool with his parents (unless the babysitter is experienced in special needs kids). If he is not special needs and is just immature, keep him at the hotel with the babysitter or do the kids club until he matures a little more and can handle the responsibility of almost being a teen.

 

[DisneyAlexandra]

For clarity - I wanted an adult to be there for time keeping at the pool. To tell him when it is time to get out, and eat. He would stay in long after he is water logged. And his sister is not best at keeping track of time. I wanted them to be able to do something fun. Sure, he could stay in the room playing video games - but he could do that at home. It's a shame there doesn't seem to be any teen age activities at Disney, such as the teen clubs they have on the cruise lines.

 

[mjkacmom]

No outside entity is going to take responsibility for pool activities. Even on cruise ships, clubs won't take kids to the pool, and won't allow 12 year olds on the teen clubs. Is there anything going on at the GF?

 

[maxiesmom]

What is the 14 year old going to be doing at that time? Could they go get an ice cream and play in the arcade together? What resort are you staying at? Many have bikes for rent. They could ride around the resort together.

 

[SEA333]

For clarity - I wanted an adult to be there for time keeping at the pool. To tell him when it is time to get out, and eat. He would stay in long after he is water logged. And his sister is not best at keeping track of time. I wanted them to be able to do something fun. Sure, he could stay in the room playing video games - but he could do that at home. It's a shame there doesn't seem to be any teen age activities at Disney, such as the teen clubs they have on the cruise lines.

If your son needs to be told when to get out of the pool and when to eat, I would def go the babysitter route with the kids clubs.

If you think he just might be able to manage himself, even at the pool, I would set some ground rules for both kids:

1. Go together, stay together, leave together. No exceptions.
2. When you are hungry, eat.
3. When you are cold/tired/waterlogged, grab a towel and leave the pool.
4. Hide your phone in your bag at the pool while you are swimming, otherwise, I expect you to answer at any given moment.

Again, unless there are issues notwithstanding, kids are pretty good about knowing when they have had enough, and when they are hungry, by age 12. If you do not do this already, test it...give your son the freedom to make some of his own choices for a weekend...when to eat, what to do, when to go to bed. He might surprise you. My 9 year old will stay up all hours and play video games, and will not eat unless he is hungry. When he is hungry, he eats. I don't worry about it a whole lot. (and for you...it's maybe ONE missed meal if noone is around your son and he decides to skip eating for extra pool time). My 14 year old can pretty much live on his own at this point...he eats, sleeps and exercises when he wants. We are pretty much at the point where I have given up forcing him to do anything not crucial, but he is a good kid with good grades and multiple sport commitments). My 11 year old pretty is much following suit to her her older brother.

If it is really bothering you that he needs something to do while you and your DH go out to eat, and kids clubs/babysitters are not an option, maybe put V&A on hold for a few years and have a family meal instead?

And, there are a gazillion "teen" things to do at Disney...just BEING there is a thing. Enjoy the parks and resorts!

 

[vrajewski10513]

I think that if you cant trust your 12 and 14 year old to manage for a few hours while mom and dad go out to eat then you probably shouldnt go. Barring any health issues, I dont think itll hurt if he wants to spend his time in the pool while your gone and not eat dinner.

 

[Alesia]

Here are your options:

1. Take him to a kids club.
   
2. Get an in room babysitter. They will not watch your son at the pool. Also, I'm not sure that they will watch your 14-year-old.
3. Leave your kids by themselves at the resort.
4. Let your kids go to a park while you're at dinner.
5. Cancel your dinner.