Older kids babysitting

[Violet Parr]

Nevermind.

 

[Feckless]

I don't know the FL law on this issue, but my DD is doing the babysitting course this year, and will be babysitting other people's children when she turns 12 and completes the course. When I was 12, I spent two mornings a week during the summer with a 4 and 6 year old, babysitting. So, if I think she is mature enough to watch other people's children, then I would surely think staying in a locked hotel room while you are downstairs with your cell phone is perfectly OK. This depends on the child's maturity, common sense, the age of the other children, and the other children's comfort level, how long they would be alone, and the time of day. With mine, when DD is 12 and DS is 10, I would have no issue whatsoever with leaving them for an hour or so in the early evening in a Disney hotel.

 

[Heather1979]

i don't know the fl law on this issue, but my dd is doing the babysitting course this year, and will be babysitting other people's children when she turns 12 and completes the course. When i was 12, i spent two mornings a week during the summer with a 4 and 6 year old, babysitting. So, if i think she is mature enough to watch other people's children, then i would surely think staying in a locked hotel room while you are downstairs with your cell phone is perfectly ok. This depends on the child's maturity, common sense, the age of the other children, and the other children's comfort level, how long they would be alone, and the time of day. With mine, when dd is 12 and ds is 10, i would have no issue whatsoever with leaving them for an hour or so in the early evening in a disney hotel.

ita!

 

[Violet Parr]

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[greeneggs1082]

From what I have been able to find in a very cursory search, there is no official age in Florida as to when a child can be left alone or left to watch other children. I think it completely depends on the maturity level of the child.

 

[Sammie]

I don't think Florida has a law that states a certain age. However hotels might.

The main thing to consider how would your children react to an emergency such as a fire. Would they know what to do, where to go, would the younger one go with the older one.

Also what to do if someone comes to the room.

Also many times it is much easier to babysit someone else children than your siblings.

 

[minnie mum]

I don't know the FL law on this issue, but my DD is doing the babysitting course this year, and will be babysitting other people's children when she turns 12 and completes the course. When I was 12, I spent two mornings a week during the summer with a 4 and 6 year old, babysitting. So, if I think she is mature enough to watch other people's children, then I would surely think staying in a locked hotel room while you are downstairs with your cell phone is perfectly OK. This depends on the child's maturity, common sense, the age of the other children, and the other children's comfort level, how long they would be alone, and the time of day. With mine, when DD is 12 and DS is 10, I would have no issue whatsoever with leaving them for an hour or so in the early evening in a Disney hotel.

I agree with this as well. Since your youngest is too young for the kids clubs I assume she will be less than 3 years old. Are you comfortable with the idea of your oldest daughter taking care of her?

I'm not sure that many states have laws that specify an age when a child can be left alone and/or babysit younger children. I have no idea if Florida has such a law. I think that you and your DH have to decide for yourself, since you know your children and their capabilities/needs best.

I have no problem with the OPs question, but given the way some threads have gone berzerk recently, I urge her to keep her flame suit handy.

 

[Violet Parr]

I thought the age for the kids clubs was 4.

VP

 

[alice99]

I left my 11 year old son with my 9 year old daughter while I went for a jog in the am.
They both pretty much sat and watched TV.
I think the 11 y/o is old enough , but the 3 y/o can probably give her a run for the money!

I think, in your case, waiting a year before trying this will make a world of difference.
A 12 year old and 4 year old will be more mature.

 

[Violet Parr]

We'll just have date night when we get back home.


VP

I left my 11 year old son with my 9 year old daughter while I went for a jog in the am.
They both pretty much sat and watched TV.
I think the 11 y/o is old enough , but the 3 y/o can probably give her a run for the money!

I think, in your case, waiting a year before trying this will make a world of difference.
A 12 year old and 4 year old will be more mature.

 

[Violet Parr]

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[momjkm]

Just an FYI: The Red Cross Baby Sitting Course is for kids 12 and older... but would depend on the kid(s).

Ps laughing at your Flame retardent suit comment...Jill

 

[loricdietzel]

I believe it is actually 3 for the kids club, but child must be potty trained. When you look some places say 3 and some say 4. You would have to specifically ask. But the price for an in room bbsitter is about the same as 2 kids in the kids club and provides more flexibility.

 

[jennyjinx3]

Actually the neverland club allowed all our DD's in, and the youngest was a month away from turning 3. But she was potty trained. Hope this helps...they loved it there!

 

[nobellybutton]

I agree with PP all depends on maturity, if you have a well behaved 4yr who doesn't throw tantrums vs one that does..do they normally get along? Some sibling have furious rivalries even with a big age difference. I am 12yrs older than my sister, and when she was turning 4 she was a terror! She bit me, locked herself in the bathroom @home... I would babysit to give my mom a break, my sister & I laugh now because we'43 adults & I have2 kids while she has none...and sometimes she babysits and says my daughter reminds her of herself lol Karma! but so far my DD has bitten anyone
Just this past week we had my DH cousin who is almost 13 watch our DD and her 5 yr old brother, but she had help from another 13yr old. We prepared her with cell phone #'s & in case of emergency or evacuation what to do & a meeting place. And assigned one smaller child to each in case of emergency. I mean we worried & called the hotel room like a million times. But all was well.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Dear Violet, Take me! I would be happy to be a nanny so you and your husband could get an evening alone every night after the long days in the parks. I'm kidding, but seriously, I have always wanted to be a Disney nanny. I take my grandson to Disney every year, so am used to it, but in answer to your question, I thought the legal age for a child to be left alone at home was 13, but I'm not sure where I got that info. Like others have said, it would depend on the ages of the other kiddies, among other things. Have fun!

 

[stitchlovestink]

Maryland law requires that they be 13 before they can be responsible for someone under the age of 8. That said, a child at the age of 8 is considered old enough to be left alone if the parents see fit too!!!! So legally in MD an 11yo could babysit an 8yo because by MD law they are both deemed legally old enough to be left alone at the parents' descretion. But a 12 yo is not legally supposed to be responsible for say a 5yo. But I'm quoting you MD's laws. Not sure how to find out what FL's laws are.... good luck.
BTW...if you are there in the same hotel and you have cell phones...I dont think it's a big deal. You could even pop back up in a hour and check in.




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[Violet Parr]

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[WantToGoNow]

My oldest dd was babysitting my cousins children (4 total) at age 12 - the children were all ages 5 and under. I would think your 11 year old would be fine with the 3 year old. Maybe give him/her a few short trial runs at home and see how it goes.

That said my ds11 and dd8 stay home alone all day while me, dh and dd28 work. However, if I would have a child any younger than dd then I would not leave them by themselves all day - my dd8 is probably as mature or more so than ds11.

 

[tinkbyday]

So, I guess I will be the minority on this thread - shocking to me, but okay.

First of all, I find it hard to believe there is no intention of doing this, yet have this need to know the law. If one is not planning to do this, the law would be irrelevant.

Next, I would never even think about leaving an 11 year old child alone in a hotel with two siblings - so many things and circumstances could occur that a child that age, regardless of maturity may not be prepared for. I wouldn't even consider leaving an 11 year old alone period - not even to run down the hall to get a cup of coffee on the CL floor!!!! That's my opinion and realize, based on the responses, that many feel that it is fine.

I just believe that as parents, it is our top responsibility to keep our children safe and cared for - children alone in a hotel room, IMO, is not appropriate.