Can a 16yo watch a 12yo overnight, every night?

[Anonymous]

I would be fine with this and my kids. Some of their friends, not a chance.

[Anonymous]

I would not.

[Anonymous]

It’s fine. You need to support your family. I had 2 jobs at sixteen. And I babysat overnight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would just make sure you have a good plan in place in case something happens in the middle of the night. Can they call you at work? Can you leave work? If not, who do they call in an emergency?

I would feel better if there was a family right near by that is fine being the go to people in an emergency.

[Anonymous]

Only if it’s the only option. And yes, being able to contact the parent and having a next door neighbor that can be contacted in emergencies is important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be fine with this and my kids. Some of their friends, not a chance.

+1 The 16 year old should be able to get a break when she needs it though. She’s still a kid too. She will have a good college essay, but you want to make sure she has enough freedom to enjoy her childhood and not resent her sibling.

[Anonymous]

I used to babysit 2-3 children under age 10 until 2am when I was 14 years old. Surely the 12 and 16 year old can regulate themselves 3 nights a week.

Let a trusted neighbor know the kids are alone, just in case.

[Anonymous]

This doesn’t sound unreasonable to me, especially if you set up supports in case anything goes wrong, and outside of the overnights the kids have your support and ability to be kids.

At 16 I was staying alone every night with an 18 year old and a cabin on 10 year olds for 2 months a summer by choice.

If the trade off is financial stability and waking hours with a parent it seems worth it if there are no better options.

[Anonymous]

Is this for specific amount of time, like for the next six months and then the schedule will change? Or is this just how it’s going to be?

[Anonymous]

I’ll give another perspective:

In my neighborhood it’s common for 16 year olds to go to other people’s houses and be responsible for their children for many hours. They get paid for this service and end up getting home between midnight and 2am.

If someone asked me for nighttime babysitter recommendations I would give them a list of the 16 and 17 year olds I know. It would be really awkward to find out you were looking for a babysitter for your neurotypical 16 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This doesn’t sound unreasonable to me, especially if you set up supports in case anything goes wrong, and outside of the overnights the kids have your support and ability to be kids.

At 16 I was staying alone every night with an 18 year old and a cabin on 10 year olds for 2 months a summer by choice.

If the trade off is financial stability and waking hours with a parent it seems worth it if there are no better options.

Can you type this again in English?

[Anonymous]

Not sure if this is feasible, but can you add an alarm system (like ADT). This could be set before bed or when done going in and out for the day.

Just for peace of mind!

[Anonymous]

I appreciate the replies. I am the parent. We’ve been temporarily doing this but I need to make it permanent, at least for the immediate future. I’m working out a change in schedule at work but have to contractually finish out this period of time. The girls DO have a neighborhood support system in an emergency, and I’m contactable. I was terrified to post this but I truly appreciate your honesty and help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This doesn’t sound unreasonable to me, especially if you set up supports in case anything goes wrong, and outside of the overnights the kids have your support and ability to be kids.

At 16 I was staying alone every night with an 18 year old and a cabin on 10 year olds for 2 months a summer by choice.

If the trade off is financial stability and waking hours with a parent it seems worth it if there are no better options.

Can you type this again in English?

NP. Nothing about that was difficult to understand. Don't be a jerk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate the replies. I am the parent. We’ve been temporarily doing this but I need to make it permanent, at least for the immediate future. I’m working out a change in schedule at work but have to contractually finish out this period of time. The girls DO have a neighborhood support system in an emergency, and I’m contactable. I was terrified to post this but I truly appreciate your honesty and help.

Then this sounds reasonable to me. GL!