Quoting Mandy loves Hailey+Boy:" I'm really just thinking in case of emergency. Like, if we needed to go to the hospital and no one could ... [snip!] ... store if Hailey was napping or something? I don't know that I'll actually do it, just wondering what people find "acceptable"."

oh yeah I totally would allow it.

<blockquote><b>Quoting tinana +2:</b>" It depends on the teen. My little sister is 12 and incredible. She hasn't babysat alone yet but once ... [snip!] ... do, and it would be for short periods of time. I wouldn't expect a young teen to be able to do more than a couple of hours."</blockquote>



Yeah when I was 13 I was babysitting 8 hours a day two kids and it was too much

No, i don't think so. My DD is 14 and I wouldn't trust her judgement enough to care for a young child alone for more than 15mins or so. 15 or 16 maybe but not 12,13 or 14, that's too young imo.

Quoting HopingforaMiracle:" <blockquote><b>Quoting tinana +2:</b>" It depends on the teen. My little sister is ... [snip!] ... than a couple of hours."</blockquote> Yeah when I was 13 I was babysitting 8 hours a day two kids and it was too much"

I did it when I was 15 and I think I should have been in a nuthouse.  

I started when I was 12 babysitting friends of family's children. My sister, after completing a child care class started at 13.

I think it would depend on the teen and her experiences, personally. I would also speak to her parent to see if they have any problems with it.

I would say occasional date nights 3-4 hours at most.

Quoting I'm His Amy He's My Rory:" oh yeah I totally would allow it."

I think maybe we'll test it one night soon. Like maybe DH and I could go to dinner somewhere nearby or something. She'd probably love the responsibility and the chance to make a little money.

My nephew had watched my daughter when he was 14 and she was 2. Of course make sure they have a phone lock the doors ect but he did Ann amazing job. I started at 11 for 4+ hours for a 2 year old...

Quoting JessieLeeAnne:" I started when I was 12 babysitting friends of family's children. My sister, after completing a child ... [snip!] ... also speak to her parent to see if they have any problems with it. I would say occasional date nights 3-4 hours at most. "

Well, she lives with us so I'm her legal guardian. She has lived with us for 2 years now and never babysat even for a minute.

<blockquote><b>Quoting tinana +2:</b>" I did it when I was 15 and I think I should have been in a nuthouse.  "</blockquote>




Me too   I was not ready to do it that many hours

Quoting Mandy loves Hailey+Boy:" Well, she lives with us so I'm her legal guardian. She has lived with us for 2 years now and never babysat even for a minute."

Maybe you should start now for practice runs...

Like go to the store to grocery shop and have her watch him so if she has to while you go into the hospital, she wont feel so overwhelmed. Also run her through how to give CPR and what to do if LO is choking.

Quoting Mandy loves Hailey+Boy:" I think maybe we'll test it one night soon. Like maybe DH and I could go to dinner somewhere nearby or something. She'd probably love the responsibility and the chance to make a little money."

I think it'd be good for all of you  

As others said, it depends on the child. At 13 I was babysitting all of the time and I was usually watching more than one kid. I think it also depends on the kid(s) they're watching, too. If the child is hard to handle and acts out a lot, I'd be more wary.

I had two regular baby sitting jobs at 13. Then again I was mature for it. Depends on the kid and if YOU trust him/her. We don't know the 13 year old, you do.

Depends on the kids.

I was babysitting for all kinds of people by the time I was 11. I remember babysitting a 2wk old baby (and 3 other kids) when I was 13! When I think back, I can't believe the parents (2 sets of parents) left me with the kids.

All my babysitters have been over 18 lol

It depends on BOTH kids and the circumstance.
We allow a very responsible almost 13 yr old to babysit our almost 4 yr old. Ou LO doesnt challenge babysitters much except for refusing to go to bed. She doesnt seek trouble and is content watching TV, playing catch and other appropriate games. The older girl has 2 younger sisters and one is 4.
The girl is a neighbor and we ONLY allow her to babysit when her parents are home and we are closeby.