I’m offended. Should I get over myself?
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Anonymous
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My older neighbor just approached me. I have no doubt she meant well and was just making conversation sans filter, but she told me that another neighbor on our small block, asked her if she knew of any good high-school aged babysitters, apparently they are looking for an occasional evening sitter or daytime helper for their 5yo. She said she immediately mentioned DD13/8th-rising 9th, and how she’s very mature and sweet with her grandkids. The neighbor told her no, they are looking for someone more mature, in high school. My neighbor told me I should introduce DD, maybe they will change their mind.
I’m sort of offended on DD’s behalf. In a month she will be a high schooler, and in a month from that, 14. I mean, some sophomores start the year at 14. She’s a neighbor recommended by another neighbor who has seen her interact with young kids. Now I’m irrationally angry at these neighbors and even though I know it’s not warranted, I can’t help it! How would you feel? |
Anonymous
| Get over it. They were probably just put off by the fact that your DD is in middle school. I wouldnt care at all about this. |
Anonymous
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I strongly prefer older babysitters as well. Ones that can drive in a pinch.
It was not about your daughter personally. |
Anonymous
| I'd flip this around. You don't want your kid to work for a family that this is this uptight about a sitter. |
Anonymous
Good point. This is true. |
Anonymous
| no question you need to get over yourself. Don’t tell anyone this story irl either! |
Anonymous
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This is weird that you are so offended by this. I doubt your neighbor understands much if anything yet about 8th-rising 9th. I haven't a clue what that means, but I don't have that aged kids.
They probably just think she's an 8th grader and that feels young to them. Nothing that has anything specifically to do with your DD. |
Anonymous
| Yikes op. Did you hire any 13 year olds as babysitters when your child was 5? There’s nothing to be offended by. 13 is on the young side for babysitting. I had a 13 yo neighbor babysit my kids, but that only worked because we lived next door to her in a two-family house and her mother was literally on the other side of the wall! |
Anonymous
| Your daughter might be the most mature 13 year old there is, but that doesn’t mean it’s crazy for neighbors to want a high school student to babysit their kids. They don’t know your DD. You also don’t know their kid(s), they might be super high maintenance or have health issues that mean they want an older sitter. |
Anonymous
| If you think that’s “offensive” my neighbors will hire kids down the street for babysitting and complain about lack of babysitters when my kids are the same age as the kids down the street. Some people just don’t put two and two together. It’s OK, it’s not offensive just shake your head at the absurdity and do what I do and get over oneself. |
Anonymous
| Nope, you should not be offended. Your neighbor thinks highly of your daughter, and the people who don't want to use her as a babysitter probably wouldn't use any 13 year old. You should appreciate that your neighbor values you and your daughter, though! |
Anonymous
I have kids that age. That’s young for solo babysitting. I totally get why a parent would prefer a 16yo or older. There’s a world of difference in maturity between a 13yo and a 16yo. |
Anonymous
| I'm offended on behalf of them that you are offended! |
Anonymous
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Offended by what? They want someone older. A 13-14 year old is not mature or what they are looking for. They want a 16-17-18 year old. I would too. Your kid is not as mature as you think.
No sophomores are 14. The youngest would be turning 15. Your math is off. Mine turns 15 September of sophomore year. |
Anonymous
| You should get over it. They obviously want an older HSer. |