Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
I think the people saying a 6 year age difference is insufficient are bizarre. Would you legit say that a 16 year old couldn't babysit a 10 year old? Or a senior in HS (18) couldn't watch your 6th grader (12)? That seems nuts to me. I think people are intuitively reacting to 13 being young and thinking it's the age difference... In any case, I was part of a babysitting club (inspired by the series, of course) back in the early 90s when we were 12/13 and no one batted an eyelash over it. 13 is plenty old enough if the kid is responsible. Also, in today's cell phone age, I actually think it's way less stressful to have a younger kid babysit... He obviously just calls you if there's a problem.
The age difference matters more at younger ages (just like age differences in dating). That said, it totally depends on your kids. I have one rule-breaking wild child who is a challenge for even our college-age sitters because they were sweet and kind of pushovers and that would be a no and one rule-following kid who will listen to anyone in authority.