Would you leave a 3.5yo with a 11.5yo for 30min

[Anonymous]

My daughter turned 12 last week and just started watching my sisters 6 and 4 year old kids for up to 45 minutes. She has a cell phone. So this would be fine by me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your 11 yo truly is responsible and will keep eyes on your 3 yo the entire time, then I’m sure it’s reasonably safe, but it would be illegal in MD. In MD, you have to be at least 12 to be responsible for a younger child, and the younger child has to be at least 8 if the child responsible for babysitting is under 16.

This is not true. You can babysit in MD at 13, and the 13 year old can babysit kids under 8 because kids who are 8 don't need a babysitter since they can be left alone. So a 10 year old and an 8 year old are fine, because both are over 8. But, a 12 year old and a 7 year old are not fine together because the 12 year old isn't old enough to babysit and the 7 year old requires one.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t do it for a slightly different reason. If something unexpected went wrong (fire, severe allergic reaction) and your younger child died or was permanently injured, that’s a huge emotional burden to put on your older child. Even though you wouldn’t normally expect a preteen to have the judgment of an adult, that’s what would be needed if something went wrong, and they’d potentially have to live with the guilt of having killed or maimed their younger sibling. Yes, it’s unlikely to happen, but it doesn’t seem entirely fair to take that risk on your older child’s behalf. There’s no judgement here and it’s Just something I’ve been thinking about myself.

[Anonymous]

Depends on your 3.5 year old. Some would be fine with an older sibling. Others would be holy terrors.

Also, if you have a neighbor close by they could run to if there is an issue that would help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t do it for a slightly different reason. If something unexpected went wrong (fire, severe allergic reaction) and your younger child died or was permanently injured, that’s a huge emotional burden to put on your older child. Even though you wouldn’t normally expect a preteen to have the judgment of an adult, that’s what would be needed if something went wrong, and they’d potentially have to live with the guilt of having killed or maimed their younger sibling. Yes, it’s unlikely to happen, but it doesn’t seem entirely fair to take that risk on your older child’s behalf. There’s no judgement here and it’s Just something I’ve been thinking about myself.

This would be a reason to never allow a kid to babysit anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My oldest child is very responsible. I know when my 11.5yo was 4-5yo, our 12-13yo next door neighbor would occasionally watch him for 1-2 hours for me.

Would it be ok to leave my youngest (3.5) with my oldest (11.5) for 30 min-45 min?

I would put on a Disney movie or show for the little one.

Where are you going and is it necessary?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter turned 12 last week and just started watching my sisters 6 and 4 year old kids for up to 45 minutes. She has a cell phone. So this would be fine by me.

I know your meant HER sisters but this made me laugh! I personally think 12 is too young to be responsible for her sisters. She is not a mini mom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter turned 12 last week and just started watching my sisters 6 and 4 year old kids for up to 45 minutes. She has a cell phone. So this would be fine by me.

I know your meant HER sisters but this made me laugh! I personally think 12 is too young to be responsible for her sisters. She is not a mini mom.

Uh, maybe she's watching her cousins?

[Anonymous]

I have a 3.5 year old and have left her with my neighbors daughter who is 12. As long as they know what to do in an emergency, have access to a phone, and know not to answer the door, etc. I wouldn't worry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter turned 12 last week and just started watching my sisters 6 and 4 year old kids for up to 45 minutes. She has a cell phone. So this would be fine by me.

I know your meant HER sisters but this made me laugh! I personally think 12 is too young to be responsible for her sisters. She is not a mini mom.

DP.

A 12 year old is too young to be responsible to watch her 6 and 4 year old sisters for 45 minutes?

What are you drinking PP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t do it for a slightly different reason. If something unexpected went wrong (fire, severe allergic reaction) and your younger child died or was permanently injured, that’s a huge emotional burden to put on your older child. Even though you wouldn’t normally expect a preteen to have the judgment of an adult, that’s what would be needed if something went wrong, and they’d potentially have to live with the guilt of having killed or maimed their younger sibling. Yes, it’s unlikely to happen, but it doesn’t seem entirely fair to take that risk on your older child’s behalf. There’s no judgement here and it’s Just something I’ve been thinking about myself.

DP

hmm. You have a point PP. I used to babysit my younger brother at 10 when he was 2(I gladly did it). If something ever happened to him, I am not sure that I would have ever gotten over the guilt. I would never have been able to help in anyway if he was choking (other than call).

[Anonymous]

No, I wouldn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My oldest child is very responsible. I know when my 11.5yo was 4-5yo, our 12-13yo next door neighbor would occasionally watch him for 1-2 hours for me.

Would it be ok to leave my youngest (3.5) with my oldest (11.5) for 30 min-45 min?

I would put on a Disney movie or show for the little one.

No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter turned 12 last week and just started watching my sisters 6 and 4 year old kids for up to 45 minutes. She has a cell phone. So this would be fine by me.

I know your meant HER sisters but this made me laugh! I personally think 12 is too young to be responsible for her sisters. She is not a mini mom.

Uh, maybe she's watching her cousins?

That’s what I meant - she’s watching her cousins. They live super close by

[Anonymous]

I started babysitting at age 11. But I have a 3.5 year old now and no way would I leave her w an 11 year old. Most likely everything would be fine but IMO even the most responsible 11 year olds just don’t have the judgment/experience to know how to judge/handle certain situations that could arise (an emergency: choking, fire, a bad fall/accident, getting into the medicine cabinet, a break in, etc) yes those are all highly unlikely but what would an 11 year old do in those instances? I think I wouldn’t really trust a babysitter to handle situations like that unless they’re an older teen or adult.