Quoting Jess♫:" How long do you plan on being gone? Can he change diapers? Feed her properly?"

She's 4. She's been fully potty trained since she was 2, so we're good there. He knows what she likes to eat. He actually packs both their lunches each night for the next day during the school year, and since he's on summer vacation right now, he just packs her lunch every night for her for the next day. He doesn't use the stove because we have a gas stove, so I'm not comfortable with him using it when we aren't there to supervise him, so he cooks using a plug up griddle that we have. Or the microwave, of course.

She dresses, and cleans herself, and brushes her own teeth.

ETA: And just being gone long enough to maybe go out to a nice dinner, my husband and I. We never really get to do that alone.

Quoting Amberchik78:" I don't know about Michigan, but I know my state has an age requirement to babysit. That being said, I started babysitting when I was like 9, and not just my siblings, either."

Yeah, I can't find anything on it. Unless I'm not looking hard enough.

Quoting 3 Pumpkins:" give him a chance. how old is the little sister?"

She's 4.

Oh and I should mention he does have a cell phone as well.

Quoting Tashara: Just Me:" She's 4. She's been fully potty trained since she was 2, so we're good there. He knows what she likes ... [snip!] ... a plug up griddle that we have. Or the microwave, of course. She dresses, and cleans herself, and brushes her own teeth."

In that case.. yes I'd let him watch her.. I'd start with smaller periods of time like running to the store.. before you'd leave her with him at night.. and make sure he has all phone numbers written down and tell him what to do in case of an emergency. I'd also tell him they have to stay in the house, doors locked.. and only open for family.

I let my 12 and 11 year old SILs babysit my kids (2 and 5 mo) whenever I have little things to do..( up to 4 hours) their mother is always there in case of an emergency.. but I would let them watch hem if she wasn't.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Tashara: Just Me:</b>" Yeah, I can't find anything on it. Unless I'm not looking hard enough."</blockquote>




Most places are the age of 10 to watch siblings no younger then 3 and no more then 2 kids. And 12 for watching other people's kids...at least it is around here.

Quoting Rumple Foreskin™:" Well, at 4 my kids have always been reasonably self sufdicient and potty trained....so i would try it. All he would really need to do is feed her and keep her inside."

Yeah. And he knows better than to answer the door when he's home alone, so I doubt he'd do it if he's home alone with her. Even when we are home with them, he comes to get me or my husband when someone's at the door. He's a good kid. Not saying he NEVER gets in a little trouble here and there, but for the most part, he does what he's told. My biggest issue with him is keeping him off the Xbox 360 for 3 hours straight!

Quoting Tashara: Just Me:" Yeah, I can't find anything on it. Unless I'm not looking hard enough."

You can call your local CPS and ask them.   They should know.  

Also here is a readiness check list. : )http://www.traversecityfamilylaw.com/Pages/HomeAlone.htm#Assessing_readiness

Quoting Jess♫:" In that case.. yes I'd let him watch her.. I'd start with smaller periods of time like running to the ... [snip!] ... to do..( up to 4 hours) their mother is always there in case of an emergency.. but I would let them watch hem if she wasn't."

Yeah he has a cell phone and has everyone's # in it. Right now, I tell him that everyone who needs to get it the house has a key, so he doesn't need to open the door for anyone! My mom lives about 10 minutes away from us too, so that's good too.

Quoting Tashara: Just Me:" Yeah. And he knows better than to answer the door when he's home alone, so I doubt he'd do it if he's ... [snip!] ... but for the most part, he does what he's told. My biggest issue with him is keeping him off the Xbox 360 for 3 hours straight!"

Thats about every kid thouh. Honestly my oldest is only 8...his sisters are 3 and 5....and if i absolutely had to, i think he could care for them for an hour or two if need be....so by the time he is 12 i woupd definitely say he could.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Tashara: Just Me:</b>" Yeah. And he knows better than to answer the door when he's home alone, so I doubt he'd do it if he's ... [snip!] ... but for the most part, he does what he's told. My biggest issue with him is keeping him off the Xbox 360 for 3 hours straight!"</blockquote>




Its all about trust...if you give him trust and he fails by playing on the Xbox then I would be concerned about it.

I thought the same with my 10 yr old and her ipad/laptop but she usually sets something up so her and her 4 yr old sister can both play when I'm gone to the store. Just let him know you don't want him to use it when he is watching your lo and see what happens.

Quoting P3RvYmCp3rv:" Also here is a readiness check list. : )http://www.traversecityfamilylaw.com/Pages/HomeAlone.htm#Assessing_readiness"

Awesome Thanks!

Quoting Coupon Lady:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Tashara: Just Me:</b>" Yeah. And he knows better than to answer ... [snip!] ... when I'm gone to the store. Just let him know you don't want him to use it when he is watching your lo and see what happens."

That's when he's home alone or we are there. But she's got a Kindle Fire to play with and there's XBox games they can play together, so I don't think he'd ignore her to play XBox. That's just my biggest issue I have with him period is "Zack, get off the XBox and do something else!" KWIM?

But I'm not making dinner tonight, so I think what I'll do is instead of picking up carryout and then picking up Zariah (My daughter) from daycare, I'll pick her up from daycare FIRST, and take her home to him, and THEN go pick up dinner. It's pretty close to our house so, I'll be gone about 30 minutes. We'll see how that goes and I'll come back tonight and update you guys. He'll be so thrilled!

Thanks!!!

<blockquote><b>Quoting Tashara: Just Me:</b>" That's when he's home alone or we are there. But she's got a Kindle Fire to play with and there's ... [snip!] ... about 30 minutes. We'll see how that goes and I'll come back tonight and update you guys. He'll be so thrilled! Thanks!!!"</blockquote>




That sounds good. To be honest I think boys are better at watching their sisters lol they are more protective IMO lol

My bro

You need to check the legal age in your state, first. In Michigan, it is a case-by-case basis up to age 12, so a 12 year old can still be tried if left alone, let alone with younger children to watch. But Michigan determines this on maturity level of the child. So if the child is mature enough, it should be legal.