How young of a babysitter would you use?

[mickeyboat]

We had a teen babysitter at our home for the first time this weekend. She had taken the kids for a day at her home one other time (I am very good friends with her parents). She did a great job taking care of the kids, they had a very good time.

When we got home, the first thing she said was "something bad happened." Apparently the kids were outside eating dinner on the front porch. My DD closed the door behind here, which was locked. The other doors in the house were locked too. Inside was the list of phone numbers to call if there was a problem. So the sitter took the kids to the neighbor's house and asked for help. They ended up calling the police/fire department who came to the house and used a jamb splitter to get into the house.

She made a mistake by not making sure the door was unlocked, but she handled it well.

Denae

 

[tar heel]

The best sitter we ever used was 13 when she started working for us. She was the oldest of 4 children, and her mom was in charge of the nursery at the YMCA. I met her because she came to work with her mom that summer because it was fun. After I had seen her playing with my kids, several times, I asked her about sitting. She babysat for me until she was about half way through college, then sat two days a week for my youngest after her first child was born!

With the younger sitters I used, I tried to get to know them well enough to feel good about their skills BEFORE I left my child with them. With a couple, I initially had them to come over to entertain the kids while I did stuff around
the house.

One of the worst sitters we ever used was a graduate student. I'm not sure she moved from the couch the entire time we were gone, but she was about 30 and had an high IQ (in a very competitive program).

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

In your case--I would hire 2 girls...pay a bit more per hour than 1 girl--but they have to split the money.

I have a 12 & 11 yo who babysit for me...they are very familiar with my girls--so I had no problem when they offered to babysit. I will let the 12yo babysit alone---but no the 11yo. Personal proference--nothing to do with age.

I pay $5 an hour for one or $7 per hour for both. But again b/c they are on the younger side.

 

[minkydog]

I'd honestly feel a lot more comfortable with a mature 14 year old than I would someone not as mature who is 17. Usually at 14 they are still really interested in young children, at 17, many are babysitting just for the money. My girlfriend recently had a bad experience with a girl she hired who was 17. She ignored the children pretty much the moment the parents left the house and proceeded to talk on the phone to her boyfriend all night. Most younger kids aren't that self involved yet, imo.

I agree. the sitters that I have trained have started at age 13 and by 14 they were bringing over games, crafts,toys, etc to keep the kids occupied. At 17 they drive, but between boys and school they have no time or interest in babysitting.

With 3 young kids ,I would not leave a single sitter--that's just too much to ask, especially when your kids have never had a sitter before. Hire 2 sitters and give each one specific duties (one takes the twins, the other takes the baby). Make sure to tell them exactly what you you expect--when to change teh diapers, when to feed, what to feed, what's off-limits, where they can play,etc. Pay extra for diapered kids. i would do a trial run at least one time, so you can show them the ropes (and the flashlights!)

I have had some very good sitters 14-15 yrs old. I think if you are willing to train and discerning in your choice you can find a very good sitter who will stay with you for a number of years.

 

[BabyTigger99]

it least 16 female. cpr certified & mature.

i wouldnt use anyone that young with toddlers as they typically lack the maturity & know how of taking care of a young child especially in an emergency.

Wow, good luck finding a sitter.

 

[BethanyF]

Granted I only have one child, and he is going into 2nd grade. But when I need a sitter for short periods (my work start time is before DH gets home, PTA meeting, etc) I use a neighbor girl who just finished 6th grade. She is very mature, and her parents are 2 doors down if she needs anything.
She is very good with my son and I have no problems leaving them together. He loves it when she comes over too.
Would I have her sit if DH and I were going out for several hours? Maybe. It would all depend on if her parents were going to be home, how far away we were going to be etc.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

My Sister and I were talking about this a couple of weeks ago. Neither of us use sitters now, but were baby-sitting at 13. We were mature for our age and liked kids. The parents we sat for loved us. We could take their kids where ever we wanted (with their permission) once we started driving. We both had families that we baby-sat for exclusively.

That being said we both think the parents were nuts to trust us so much! Neither one of us can imagine using a baby-sitter that young AND allow them to take our kids places. We were good sitters and we didn't do anything to NOT have the parents trust, but trusting a 15 year old with your 2 week old and 4 year old? I knew zilch about babies.

I guess everyone has their comfort level.

 

[LoraJ]

I started babysitting when I was 12. The kids were 6 & 9. I would play with them and the kids in the neighborhood. The parents would tell me how much they loved having me watch the kids because I played with them. Other sitters would just head straight to the TV.

I think I did lose interest in playing with the kids I babysat for when I got in my later teens.

I think hiring 2 sitters is a great idea.