When did you stop getting babysitters?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
I'm sort of between the elementary forum and the tween forum now I guess. But my kids are 11 and 8. Fine for staying home briefly for me to run an errand or something.
At what age could/did yours stay home for an evening for you to go out to dinner or something? I know we aren't quite there yet (I think they would be too scared to go to bed alone) but I've got to be getting close, right? |
Anonymous
| It’s been a while but I think it was around when my oldest was 13 (younger 2 were 11 and 7). We never stayed out more than a few hours and were fairly close. |
Anonymous
| We started going out to a very early dinner at a casual restaurant close by when ours were around that age. We left them alone gradually for longer and later. The first time we left them in the dark without a sitter was when they were about 9 and 11, and we went to a neighbors house for less than two hours. So we were about a block away. It was gradual and they never put themselves to bed. Now they are teens and often stay up later than us on any given night. |
Anonymous
| I meant 9 and 12 |
Anonymous
| Mine are also 11 and 8 and we leave them home now if we go out on a weekend. We went to an outdoor party last Sat and left them. |
Anonymous
| Mine also 11 and 8 and I can leave them home alone if we go out for dinner. They won't go to bed, but that's ok, we never go out on school nights so it's ok if they're up late. |
Anonymous
| 12 and 8 was the changing point for us. |
Anonymous
| 8/11 for quick errands. 10/13 to go out to dinner at night or be gone a few hours. Mature rule-following girls. |
Anonymous
My kids are same age and I think we could leave them for early dinner close by. With covid it hasn’t really come up yet. |
Anonymous
| Never had them. 12 I'll leave mine home for a little bit. We don't eat out nor would we without them. |
Anonymous
You have never eaten out without your kids?? |
Anonymous
And never had a babysitter. You sound fun. 
|
Anonymous
| When the youngest was 10. My kids are almost 3 years apart. So, when they were 13 and 10. When they were 12 and 9, I still got a babysitter. (This is for date nights) |
Anonymous
Oh there you are mommy martyr |
Anonymous
At 12, they really want you to go out so they can have some time alone. It’s time. Give them space. |