Would you let a 14 year old babysit a 4 month old baby?

[aristocatz]

My friend let me know that her 14 year old daughter has started babysitting.

My DH & I were going to stay home on Valentine's Day because we couldn't find a sitter, but we were thinking it might be really good for us to get out for a few hours without baby (it's been hard to have some time alone as a couple since the baby was born).

I was thinking of asking my friend if her daughter could babysit our DD (4 months old) for a few hours while we go out to eat (10-15 minutes from our house). I know my friend's daughter has babysat my other friend's 6 month old son a few times & did a great job. I also know she is very responsible & an all around good kid.

Would you be comfortable with a 14 year old babysitting a 4 month old baby? We would only go out to dinner (I'm guessing 2-2.5 hours max). This is our first baby & we have limited experience with babysitters (basically my parents, my MIL, & my good friend)

Thanks for any advice you might have!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I baby sat at that age, and I have a 14 year old that could do it easily. I think it would be fine, especially since you will be so close by. If she is mature, I say go for it.

 

[Tiggeroo]

How much baby experience does she have? How young? If you feel pretty comfortable why not have her over a few times while you are home first. See how she handles things. Ask her at what point she would call you. How close does she live? Would her mom come over if she had a minor emergency like baby crying too much?

 

[abdmom]

I have a dd14. She would probably do a better job than me!

 

[Minerva Mouse]

I think that 14 year olds can be at VERY different maturity levels. To some 14 year olds, I would feel absolutely safe, and there are others that I wouldn't trust for five minutes.

 

[Granny square]

Yes, if I knew her well.

 

[superme80]

If I trusted them I would. I know a couple of 14 year olds who I would trust with my a new born. Good luck on your decision.

 

[wgeo]

If I knew the 14 yr old and her mom well then yes. It would also help if I knew if her mom was going to be home that night. Chances are that if she gets nervous she'll call her mom before she calls you, so if I knew her mom was home and could talk to her I'd say go for it!

 

[wishesuponastar]

Since you know this family I would give it a try. Good thing is the baby is only 4 months old so she's not mobile yet. If you go, ;have a nice date!

 

[Disneylover99]

For me personally... No Way!
I think 14 is too young for a 4 month old.
But then again I didn't trust anyone with either of my kids when they were babies.

 

[aprilgail2]

My daughter babysat a 6 month old last year when she was 12- she did just fine. If she had any problem I was just a phone call away. The child she babysits mostly for is 4 years old and she started babysitting him when he was 3.
When I was 13 I was babysitting for the family next door with 4 children, one was a newborn. I will never forget one of the first times I babysat an infant and had to change the diaper- I had NO CLUE how to do it- it took me about 4 diapers to get it right!

 

[Robbi]

I babysat my 4 week old 10, 7, and 5 year old brothers the summer I turned 12. My niece is 37 yo and the 14 yo you know would probably do a better job with a baby.

 

[kirstenb1]

My dd is 14 and very responsible with younger children. I'd feel better if we set up our pack n play that I still have, and she babysat at our house.

Murphy's Law, the baby would sleep the entire time you're gone. And dd is a great kid. But 4 mth olds are still developing their muscle control for their head, etc.

Maybe if you timed it, so the baby was just falling asleep and then went out, I'd feel better. Odds are the baby would sleep the entire time.

 

[I Love Pluto]

My daughter took care of very young neighbors' children. It was always when I was home in case there was an extreme emergency.

So - yes - especially since you know the family.

 

[aristocatz]

Thank you for your replies My first instinct was this is no big deal, but my DH seems a bit skeptical, so of course I started to second guess myself

I actually don't know the daughter (potential babysitter) very well, but I do know her parents very well & I trust them both & feel they both have very good judgment & they are great parents (one of her moms is my daughter's emergency contact for daycare). I do believe her parents would check in with her frequently & be there if there was any trouble.

I do like the idea of having her doing a trial run with one of her parents.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

If either I was close by and available by phone, or her mom or dad was, and if she had experience with babies, then I'd probably be fine with it. I babysat a lot at that age, and I think the kids got good care.

 

[tasha99]

Intellectually, yeah, I know in my head that a 14 year old could. In reality? Nobody but grandma kept my babies when they were that young.

 

[aristocatz]

Since you know this family I would give it a try. Good thing is the baby is only 4 months old so she's not mobile yet. If you go, ;have a nice date!

Thank you I was thinking the same thing about my DD not being mobile yet-makes me feel much safer about the situation.

I'm glad to see most people feel this is OK. This is our first baby & we have limited babysitter experience (my parents, my MIL, & a good friend).

 

[anniemck]

How much baby experience does she have? How young? If you feel pretty comfortable why not have her over a few times while you are home first. See how she handles things. Ask her at what point she would call you. How close does she live? Would her mom come over if she had a minor emergency like baby crying too much?

This is exactly how my daughter started when she was 10. First she was there playing with the babies starting when they were 3 months old, then while mom went to the grocery store, then longer for dinner, and school pick up for the older daughter that was in school already. Now those babies are 10 and love my kid so much. The family has 6 kids, now they are ages 17, 15, 14, 12, and 10 yo twins... again my daughter was their sitter for 8 years until she went off to college and when she came home for the weekend or breaks she was over there at least one night. Now she is planning her wedding which is in 3 weeks, and the youngest *her god daughter, is her jr. bridesmaid.

That said, it all depends on the kid... I would not have left my older daughter who was 12 at the time with the kids, she was not responsible enough.

 

[JessB320]

I watched a set of 5 month old twins three days a week when I was 14 if your nervous at all have her watch them one afternoon while you are home. Tell her you need a couple hours to shower and get a few things done around the house. If that goes well I think you're set