Would you let 15 year old take your kids into DC?

[Anonymous]

I'm arranging for a 15 year old babysitter to look after my 9 and 11 year old for a week. My plan is for the babysitter to take my kids from Bethesda into the museums, zoo in DC. It'd require using Metro and an occasional bus.

I thought it's appropriate but my kid's father thinks 15 is too young to have this responsibility and an adult should be with them. I'm confident about the 15 year old handling it and my kids aren't babies. They all have cell phones. I work in DC and the days they're in there they'd meet up with me at times.

Isn't it legal for a 15 year old to take younger kids out of the house? Their dad has a history of making unfounded CPS reports and unsuccessful custody cases. Is he being difficult or would any other parent have concerns about a 15 year old taking their kids out of the house?

[Anonymous]

I would not allow a 15 year old to take my kids on metro or buses in D.C. I think 15 is just too young.

[Anonymous]

Of course not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm arranging for a 15 year old babysitter to look after my 9 and 11 year old for a week. My plan is for the babysitter to take my kids from Bethesda into the museums, zoo in DC. It'd require using Metro and an occasional bus.

I thought it's appropriate but my kid's father thinks 15 is too young to have this responsibility and an adult should be with them. I'm confident about the 15 year old handling it and my kids aren't babies. They all have cell phones. I work in DC and the days they're in there they'd meet up with me at times.

Isn't it legal for a 15 year old to take younger kids out of the house? Their dad has a history of making unfounded CPS reports and unsuccessful custody cases. Is he being difficult or would any other parent have concerns about a 15 year old taking their kids out of the house?

Why don't you take your own kids into DC? Sure, just pawn it off on a CHILD sitter.

[Anonymous]

how familiar is the 15 year old with metro and getting around?

[Anonymous]

It depends on the 15 year old. Some are very mature and responsible, some are airheads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends on the 15 year old. Some are very mature and responsible, some are airheads.

Does the 15 year old live in DC and know his/her way around the area as well as the Metro and buses? Or are all three of them going to look like tourists?

[Anonymous]

DC is not exactly a combat zone. Would you let the 15 year-old take them to Bethesda? Geez. (I live near the zoo.)

[Anonymous]

Has the 15-year-old been riding buses and metro by him/her self for some time, including making sense maps of schedules, changing trains and buses? My 12-year-old has been riding for two years, but always on routes I selected for her and practiced in advance. I wouldn't let her be in charge of a younger kid until she is comfortable not just with the mechanics of riding and changing trains, but planning the trip as well. If the 15-year-old has done all that and, importantly, if the 15-year-old is comfortable and excited about doing all that with younger kids in tow, and your kids know the babysitter and can be counted on to follow his/her directions, then it could be a great experience for all of them. Unfortunately, there is also the very serious matter of the father who is in the habit of making unfounded CPS reports. Do you have a feeling he might do that in this case if you don't cave in?

[Anonymous]

OMG I'd let my 11 year old go from Bethesda to the zoo.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not.

[Anonymous]

Not Op, but those saying no, do you live in the city and take the metro?

[Anonymous]

I would if the 15 yr old feels comfortable doing it and is generally mature and reliable. But I wouldn't do it knowing your ex's reaction to it and his history.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the responses, it's helpful to hear other's opinions. I'm not American but have lived here several years, still it's not obvious to me sometimes what it is people are worried about.

To clarify - Bethesda is about 8 metro stops/20 mins from DC - it's not alien territory for them. I'm assuming people on this forum are from the DMV area. I work downtown DC and didn't think it unsafe. The babysitter and kids are confident and excited about it.

I planned to print an itinerary and maps/directions for the babysitter and put the Metro phone apps on their phones - they won't be wandering around aimlessly. They have GPS on their phones, even the 11 year old can use that. The only bus would be from Bethesda Metro Station so we're talking Montgomery County buses, not DC. The 15 year old has used buses around Montgomery County.

Can those who think it's not a good idea explain why? Is it DC, or the Metro or the buses? Or the people they'll encounter? I thought this was a safe area.

They could all stay home all week but I thought it'd be nice for them, the 15 year old included, to go out. The dad makes unfounded reports regardless but I try not to let it ruin opportunities for the kids. I'm just trying to determine how founded or unfounded this one would be.

[Anonymous]

You are in town this entire week right? And home every night? I think your day plan is ok.