12 year old babysitters?

[Anonymous]

We have 2 preschoolers (a young PreK3 and older PreK4) and a toddler. We've had a hard time finding babysitters this week, as we usually rely on college students, many of whom are leaving for the break of course. The one who was planning to be here all week just called in sick. DH is recovering from a vasectomy so all the childcare duties are on me, plus I'm supposed to be working at least a few hours from home each day other than Thanksgiving. Long story short, I need help Wednesday and Friday when there's no school!

Anyway... A neighbor has shared multiple times that their twin, tween daughters babysit for a couple families in the neighborhood. I've never met them. But out of sort of desperation I reached out, and will talk to them this evening. At the very least, I think they could do art or reading with my 3 or 5 year old for 1 or 2 hours (before my very high energy kids get bored... They're used to 2-3 hours of outdoor exercise with their daddy each day after school, so indoor play time is going to be interesting).

I texted the mom, saying I was new to working with 12 year olds, and that I assume that I would need to have them nearby, like in the community room in our building (babysitters usually take them out to playgrounds/libraries since we WFH in a small space). Her response was kind of. . terse. I'm feeling a little weird about employing 12 year olds. Like, would other parents actually be okay with leaving their 3 and 5 year old with two 12 year old twins at a playground? I kind of expected her to say, "Of course," but it was more like, "just let me know the hours you need."
I guess I should at least talk to the girls this evening.
Anyone had underage babysitters? 16 or 17 I'd probably feel more comfortable with, but... 12? What do you think? Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

Ours was 13 when she started. If she just needs to walk the kids to a playground, watch them, and walk them home, that seems fine. Especially since there are as many sitters as kids.

[Anonymous]

I’m 40 but when I turned 12 I got my Red Cross Babysitter certification and began babysitting for friend’s families and families in the neighborhood. Somehow adults trusted me to watch their kids, sometimes very little kids and infants. I would not use a 12 year old now, but times were different back then.

[Anonymous]

So you have a pair of 12yo twins possibly watching a 3 and 4yo? So one babysitter per child? I don’t know what the big deal is. I probably would feel hesitant about a 12yo watching two preschoolers on her own, but you have a one to one ratio here.

[Anonymous]

I would be fine with it but there are people on here who wouldn’t let a 12 year old stay at home (or in a hotel room) on their own so you’re definitely not alone in feeling uncertain

[Anonymous]

Thanks, all, interesting perspectives. Well, I do feel more open to the possibility of them walking together to the school playground which is literally 1 block away. My kids are 3 and 5 and communicate, are potty trained, etc., so maybe it will all work out. I'd just manage the toddler on my own at home while I work.

[Anonymous]

It would probably be fine with a one to one ratio. Remind them to each hold a kids hand when crossing the street. If they don't have a cell phone, give them one and show them how to call you. Maybe have them play at home first so a parent can observe before sending them to the playground. Also, your husband will be home so he can handle this. And I don't think he'll be totally incapacitated for a full week...he can probably walk a block to the playground and sit on a bench 3+ days after a vasectomy! Or send him and one twin to the playground while the other watches the toddler at home, then swap. There can also be some extra screen time, especially on Friday when it is supposed to rain.

[Anonymous]

My DD started babysitting at 11. It was just the neighbors, and their 11 yo also stayed to help. She’s done mother’s helper type stuff too where she watched kids while parents work from home.

I think for your situation the twins would be great. They still like to play at that age and have tons of energy so make great babysitters for this type of situation. The neighbor kids love to have her.

[Anonymous]

Recovery for your husband is one to two days. There's no reason he can't be in charge by Friday. 12 yr olds are fine.

[Anonymous]

I started babysitting at 11. The terse text may have been because she was busy at the moment. Just go with it, you need help, there's two of them. I think it will be fine.

[Anonymous]

The playground is probably easier on the girls. Kids that age really play with the little ones, literally running around with them in a way adults don't really do.

I'd be hesitant if it were one girl or a longer time, but two girls with experience sounds safe imo.

[Anonymous]

I started babysitting at 12. Two tweens to two toddlers, during the day, seems fine to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The playground is probably easier on the girls. Kids that age really play with the little ones, literally running around with them in a way adults don't really do.

I'd be hesitant if it were one girl or a longer time, but two girls with experience sounds safe imo.

+1