Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?

[Anonymous]

I'm a single mom, and for the next couple weeks I have to work until 11 so I won't be able to help DS in the bath. He isn't ready to start bathing unsupervised, as he needs help washing his hair and needs constant reminders to stop playing and start washing. She's very mature and I trust her completely but I'm worried that she might be uncomfortable and/or he might get embarrassed. What do you guys think?

[Anonymous]

I can't imagine why not.

[Anonymous]

It's fine to have the babysitter supervise, but my first grade boy would be embarrassed. He showers but needs help making sure he got the shampoo out. In his case, I'd probably have him step out of the shower, wrap himself in a towel, and then have the babysitter check to be sure he rinsed enough. Is your son willing to try the shower?

[Anonymous]

I think that's too much for a 13 year old. She's babysitting until 11pm each night? You need someone older.

[Anonymous]

Can you give him a quick shower in the AM?

[Anonymous]

My teen DD would try to be nice and helpful and probably would say yes, it's fine and I can do that -- but she would actually be pretty embarrassed if she ended up seeing a kid naked by accident. Don't put your babysitter in that position even if she seems mature to you. Being mature at 13 does not automatically mean she is OK with supervising a kid who is bathing. She is probably just fine from the safety aspect of supervising but why put her and your son in a position where either would get embarrassed when it's just not essential?

Can your son have quick morning showers before school during this time when you're working late? It might be a good excuse to start him on being flexible about whether he has an evening bath or a morning shower. It's good if kids can be OK with either as they get older, and as circumstances change.

[Anonymous]

I'm a DH, and I babysat kids at 14, and when the boys, 6 and 8 or so, were out playing in the mud, they got baths when we got back inside.

I don't see what the big deal is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that's too much for a 13 year old. She's babysitting until 11pm each night? You need someone older.

+1. It's not the bathtub. I would be worried that a 13 year old won't be able to stay up that late and function properly the next day. Are you not at all concerned about your babysitter's well-being?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that's too much for a 13 year old. She's babysitting until 11pm each night? You need someone older.

+1. It's not the bathtub. I would be worried that a 13 year old won't be able to stay up that late and function properly the next day. Are you not at all concerned about your babysitter's well-being?

I wouldn't let my 13 year old babysit until 11 on multiple school nights in a row. Way too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that's too much for a 13 year old. She's babysitting until 11pm each night? You need someone older.

+1. It's not the bathtub. I would be worried that a 13 year old won't be able to stay up that late and function properly the next day. Are you not at all concerned about your babysitter's well-being?

I wouldn't let my 13 year old babysit until 11 on multiple school nights in a row. Way too much.

Yes, where are this girl's parents??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that's too much for a 13 year old. She's babysitting until 11pm each night? You need someone older.

+1. It's not the bathtub. I would be worried that a 13 year old won't be able to stay up that late and function properly the next day. Are you not at all concerned about your babysitter's well-being?

That's not OP's job. That's the job of the parents of the girl. I am the parent of a 13 yr old and I wouldn't let her babysit until 11 except on Saturday nights.

[Anonymous]

I am sorry but as a single mom you need to teach your son to take his own shower. He is old enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am sorry but as a single mom you need to teach your son to take his own shower. He is old enough.

+1 agree. Have him skip his bath those nights, or do it in the morning like someone else suggested. My kids that would be really embarrassed to have a babysitter help bathe them.

[Anonymous]

I have 5yo and 7yo boys. They have been taking showers for years. My 7yo 1st grader is able to shower by himself. My 5yo may need help getting shampoo out of his hair sometimes but fine most of the time. Starting when boys were 3 and 5, they would shower after swimming.

Let your first grader shower by himself! He doesn't need to take baths.

How is that 13yo's parents ok with their own child being at your house until that late???

[Anonymous]

A first grader should be able to shower alone.