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I started babysitting when I was in 5th grade. What is that, 10 years old? I took over my sister's babysitting business when she decided she didn't like it. My first few gigs, my mom was right next door in case I needed help. I took care of a newborn - feedings, diapers, crying jags and all. Then as I got comfortable with it, more neighbors started calling for my services to the point where I was earning $30-40 a week between after-school gigs and weekends (I charged $2 an hour - those were the days!).
I babysat all the way through high school and even did some sitting when I was home over summer breaks during my college years.
I definitely think it depends on the 12 year old, but I'd be okay with it.
I was 12 when I started babysitting. The neighbors had just had a new baby, and they met with me and my mom and asked if I would be interested in babysitting for them once a week. I said yes, and I started babysitting...they paid GREAT for the time (about double what others paid). I sat for them once a week for years....started with the first child and they subsequently had 2 more before I got too busy with the life of a teenager.
Oh, and the age of the first child the first time I babysat? 2 weeks!!
I was 12 when I started babysitting. The neighbors had just had a new baby, and they met with me and my mom and asked if I would be interested in babysitting for them once a week. I said yes, and I started babysitting...they paid GREAT for the time (about double what others paid). I sat for them once a week for years....started with the first child and they subsequently had 2 more before I got too busy with the life of a teenager.
Oh, and the age of the first child the first time I babysat? 2 weeks!!
Perhaps because I had C-sections, plus other complications, when my two babies were born, as well as breast fed them, I am still trying to picture the mother actually being able to be plus wanting to be gone from her two week old infant to go out on a date.
But, I am glad that it worked out for PeachSalsa & that family.
Perhaps because I had C-sections, plus other complications, when my two babies were born, as well as breast fed them, I am still trying to picture the mother actually being able to be plus wanting to be gone from her two week old infant to go out on a date.
But, I am glad that it worked out for PeachSalsa & that family.
I had natural deliveries, but I agree otherwise. That's very young to leave a baby.
OTOH, I don't understand the controversy over this. Many parents on here said they babysat at 12 and/or hired 12 year olds to babysit their kids. Someone asked if it was "even" legal. Yes, it's legal, even in Illinois which lists 14 as the age permitted to leave a child home alone. That has been clarified to mean for long periods of time, e.g. overnight. The legal age you can leave your child home alone (by state) | BabyCenter Blog Child Care Resource Service | Illinois
The first link says 12 for Colorado, but I know from my professional work that most judges say 10.
The Red Cross allows kids to take the sitter class at 11, and I see there are now online classes. When my kids took the class, the teachers explained the Colorado law, which is 12 for babysitting. https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/youthlaw The class is good for teaching kids how to be home alone as well.
The question here is NOT about leaving a newborn with 12 yo, or even an infant, it's about leaving a two year old with a 12 yo sitter. If the sitter has taken the babysitting class, and has at least some prior experience, I see no problem.
As for using a 12 year old to babysit, I think it entirely depends upon how responsible the 12 year old's parents are. If there is trouble, will the babysitter call her parents and will her parents know what to do?
For evening date type of babysitter needs (8-12 Friday night), the babysitter basically reads to or plays with already fed kids for a hour or two and then puts the kids to bed and sits there are waits for the parents to come home. It's not like a day job where you need a responsible nanny to make sure the kids are fed, to pick the kids up from school, and to make sure the kids do their homework.
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