What do you think... 14/13 too young to babysit a newborn?

[froglady]

I had "Mother's Helpers" when my children were babies, but that was only so I could work at home, or run errands without having to pack a newborn into the car. I don't think I left them with my children for more than a 3 hours at a time (once to go out to dinner) and I wouldn't leave my newborn with my second one to go off and play golf, because I knew the rest of the group would make it into an all day (9-3) event. Both of these girls were 15.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The whole subject will be touchy anyway because it will be impossible for you to be critical of your bosses daughters care of your baby. I mean, how could you fire your bosses kids (or friends' kids) and not expect retaliation of some kind?

Oh that is a great reason to say no, although I wouldn't do it to begin with.

 

[veraletta]

No I wouldn't let a 13 or 14 year old take care of newborn.
First off I don't think they could take care of the needs that a newborn needs.
Teens are more into themselves, they love talking on the phones and I’m not sure they know how important it is to check on a newborn.

I hate to sound mean but my daughter was 17 years old and a friend wanted her to
Watch her newborn for a few hours, I made my daughter bring the new born to my house so I could help her.
I would have worried myself to death thinking that, what if something happen while my daughter was watching their newborn.

My own son when he was a newborn stop breathing and had to be rushed to the hospital, he started to turn blue, I’m not sure I would be comfortable with how a teenager would react, and wouldn’t have been scared to death, and know what to do.

Newborn is not like a toddler, way too much responsibility for a teen.

 

[EthansMom]

Not only "No" but "Heck No!!!".

There's a difference between babysitting a 2 or 3 month old baby for two or three hours so Mom and Dad can go out for a date and meeting all of a baby's needs for several hours in a row, every day.

 

[disneyfanforever]

Absolutely not!

Thinking back to when I babysat many years ago, I can't believe I was babysitting infants when I was 12. I thought I was responsible and knew what I was doing, but looking back I should never have been charge of babies. I was way too young. Everybody turned out just fine, but there is no way I would leave my infant with girls that are only 14/13. They are just not mature enough to handle such an important job, IMO.

 

[RadioNate]

As the mother of a 10 month old I say NO WAY.

Our sitter is turning 18 soon and I even worry that she may be too young! And I waited until DD was 6 months to leave her with our teenaged sitter.

 

[DVCLiz]

Absolutely not, under any circumstances.

 

[MineeBaby]

Teens are more into themselves, they love talking on the phones and I’m not sure they know how important it is to check on a newborn.

I agree with this statement, when teenagers get into highschool. I think that 13 and 14 year olds are the best babysitters out there. They want to nurture, take care of, play with, etc because they are not distracted by their own agenda (boys, going out all the time with friends, etc). The best babysitters I have had are young teens. They are mature enough to know to call 911 if there is an emergency and they also will do their best to do a good job because they are given responsibility. The 16 and 17 year olds (up through the 20s and college age, really) don't pay as much attention because they think they know better, they get wrapped up in their own things and would chitty chat on the phone while your baby sits there.

I vote yes yes yes to a young teen babysitter!

 

[Disneychix]

I'm going against the flow here. I would say if the 2 girls are able to help you right from the start and get adjusted and familiar with the baby then it wouldn't be too bad for 6 hours a day. I mean you're talking 9-3ish right? I guess it would depend on the baby and his temperment/schedule. I actually think it's easier when they are little than toddler age.

I mean a baby can't get around and fall downstairs or into water or eat something they shouldn't. Also, feeding a baby is way easier than feeding a toddler. Have the bottles prepared before you leave and all the sitters have to do is warm them.

I guess the main concern is that the sitters would need to take some type of class or at least First Aid/CPR training. And you and your DH would need to be comfortable with them being in your house all that time with your child.

 

[DVCLiz]

I agree with this statement, when teenagers get into highschool. I think that 13 and 14 year olds are the best babysitters out there. They want to nurture, take care of, play with, etc because they are not distracted by their own agenda (boys, going out all the time with friends, etc). The best babysitters I have had are young teens. They are mature enough to know to call 911 if there is an emergency and they also will do their best to do a good job because they are given responsibility. The 16 and 17 year olds (up through the 20s and college age, really) don't pay as much attention because they think they know better, they get wrapped up in their own things and would chitty chat on the phone while your baby sits there.

I vote yes yes yes to a young teen babysitter!

Maybe for a few hours on a Saturday night, but 6 or 7 hours a day, every weekday, for a whole summer? No way.

 

[Piecey]

I agree with this statement, when teenagers get into highschool. I think that 13 and 14 year olds are the best babysitters out there. They want to nurture, take care of, play with, etc because they are not distracted by their own agenda (boys, going out all the time with friends, etc). The best babysitters I have had are young teens. They are mature enough to know to call 911 if there is an emergency and they also will do their best to do a good job because they are given responsibility. The 16 and 17 year olds (up through the 20s and college age, really) don't pay as much attention because they think they know better, they get wrapped up in their own things and would chitty chat on the phone while your baby sits there.

I vote yes yes yes to a young teen babysitter!

Yeah, we won't have a house phone (we only carry cells and they don't have them so no worry there) and we won't have cable.
I can see the youngest one being exactly like you described- acting like it was her own, pretending, etc.

I guess they could call 911, but I'd have to leave a cell phone with them in order to do that. That was another concern of mine- they're not old enough to drive if they need to.

Thanks for all the opinions, I'm reading everything and loving the variety of points I never even thought about!

 

[DVCLiz]

Also, the dynamic of young teens who are also sisters would make me steer clear of having them, both at the same time.

Piecy, I'm just going to say this, even if it sounds harsh. Responsible parents do not leave their newborn with young teens who have no transportation, no communication and no medical training for 5 - 7 hours a day. Please rethink this.

 

[Piecey]

Also, the dynamic of young teens who are also sisters would make me steer clear of having them, both at the same time.

Piecy, I'm just going to say this, even if it sounds harsh. Responsible parents do not leave their newborn with young teens who have no transportation, no communication and no medical training for 5 - 7 hours a day. Please rethink this.

I seriously JUST realized they will have no transportation, no communication and I planned on them doing CPR-First Aid. I already called the Red Cross center and asked when the next class was (I'm a freaky freaky planner lady!)

That was another reason I made this thread- I KNEW there were things I was not thinking about. This is my first pregnancy, I'm young (22 when I give birth) and I've got NO idea, I'll be honest. Asking opinions is how I'm going to learn and I knew there were lots of great parents on here who could make excellent points I would never dream of!

I am steering 98% towards NO! (Besides, this is my first kiddo- I'll probably want them all to myself! ) but still-- I GREATLY appreciate all the people who took the time to express their opinions, stories and etc to help me out with this.

I don't know, thats why I asked!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I wouldn't do it. EVERYONE is too young..

 

[Lizzybear]

No, I wouldn't be comfortable doing that. I think it's too much responsibility for that age.

 

[paintnolish]

Only if you really, REALLy knew them. I let my youngest sister watch my dcs when they were babies, but, obviously, I knew her and knew she could handle it. If it were a stranger (not someone who just walked off the street, kwim?), i would be okay with a young teen and kids 5 and up. Generally, though, I'd leave a baby with someone older who had great references and you had a personal connection to (friend of a friend thing).

 

[720L]

Too young.

 

[DVCLiz]

I seriously JUST realized they will have no transportation, no communication and I planned on them doing CPR-First Aid. I already called the Red Cross center and asked when the next class was (I'm a freaky freaky planner lady!)

That was another reason I made this thread- I KNEW there were things I was not thinking about. This is my first pregnancy, I'm young (22 when I give birth) and I've got NO idea, I'll be honest. Asking opinions is how I'm going to learn and I knew there were lots of great parents on here who could make excellent points I would never dream of!

I am steering 98% towards NO! (Besides, this is my first kiddo- I'll probably want them all to myself! ) but still-- I GREATLY appreciate all the people who took the time to express their opinions, stories and etc to help me out with this.

I don't know, thats why I asked!

Thank you for a really thoughtful response. I hope I didn't sound mean. I have had two newborns myself so I know how much there is to learn.

Now, having said all that, you have the makings of some great teen babysitters for the occasional night or weekend afternoon. I would say to your boss that at this point I don't know exactly how long a maternity leave I am going to take - I/we will wait and see how I feel, how the baby is doing, etc. That gives you an easy out - no one knows beforehand whether the baby will have special needs, etc. (No, that won't happen to your baby!!! I'm just saying it's an acceptable reason not to tie yourself to these girls.) When the baby is born, you can invite these girls over to help you and they can practice while you are still at home. If you like what you see (not only the way they handle the baby, but also the way they interact with each other) then you can move forward.

You also have to remember that this mom is looking out for her OWN childcare needs. Having them "working" for you eliminates the boredom of spending the days at dad's house. I know my younger teen daughter would have been thrilled to have something productive to do instead of hanging out at dad's, but I wouldn't put her in that position of responsibilty and I'm surprised your boss would do it to her own daughters.

 

[Amlee]

It would completely and totally depend on the girl's maturity and experiance with a newborn. Not just babysitting but a NEWBORN.


I was 12 when I started keeping my newborn cousin. I mean she came home from the hospital to a crib in my bedroom. I have a 17yo DN who has been keeping babies since she was 13. Including newborns. I wouldn't think twice about leaving her with a newborn. Her 13yo sister is a WHOLE other story. She still needs a babysitter herself!

 

[freckles and boo]

I seriously JUST realized they will have no transportation, no communication and I planned on them doing CPR-First Aid. I already called the Red Cross center and asked when the next class was (I'm a freaky freaky planner lady!)

That was another reason I made this thread- I KNEW there were things I was not thinking about. This is my first pregnancy, I'm young (22 when I give birth) and I've got NO idea, I'll be honest. Asking opinions is how I'm going to learn and I knew there were lots of great parents on here who could make excellent points I would never dream of!

I am steering 98% towards NO! (Besides, this is my first kiddo- I'll probably want them all to myself! ) but still-- I GREATLY appreciate all the people who took the time to express their opinions, stories and etc to help me out with this.

I don't know, thats why I asked!

Holy cow, you are just a kid yourself! I had my first kid at 33 and I was freaked out by it all, too. I was lucky to have friends and sisters who had more experience than I did. I have to say that now that my kids are six and eight we use a WONDERFUL 13 year old girl to watch them for a couple of hours every once in a while. A PP was right when she said that is a great age because the teens are still interested in the children, but I maintain that it is far too much responsibility for someone that young to watch a newborn. Good luck in your childcare search. It is one of the most important decisions you will make.