13 year old babysitter for 7 and 5 year old
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Anonymous
| We have dear friends who live a couple of miles from us. I have been thinking of asking their 13 year old son to babysit our kids. We've known him since he was a baby and he is a sweet and responsible kid. I'm thinking of two situations in which we would do this--either in the evenings when all he would have to do is help them get ready for bed and read to them or during the day for just a couple of hours. Do you think this is too young? I babysat for infants when I was 11 or 12 but I don't see a lot of kids this young babysitting anymore. |
Anonymous
| Is he interested in babysitting? I'd find that out first. |
Anonymous
Yes. He's mentioned it before. A couple of years ago we had an agreement where I would pick him up from an activity he otherwise couldn't do because it didn't work with his parents' schedule and in exchange he'd spend a couple of hours at our house until his dad could get him, playing with and reading to our kids while I made dinner, straightened up, etc... |
Anonymous
| He's too young. The age difference is too small between him and the 7 yr old. |
Anonymous
| My 13-year-old daughter babysits a 2nd grader and kindergartener. But the house is only a block away, so we are around if there are any issues. |
Anonymous
What do you think about having him sit in the house after the kids are sleeping? (We'd obviously drive him home at the end of the night.) |
Anonymous
Yes, these are the same ages. His parents would be about a 10 minute drive away instead of a block away, which is why I'm hesitating. When I was babysitting as an 11/12 year old in the 80s it was in apartment buildings in NYC so there were always neighbors or at the very least, a doorman, who could help in a real emergency. |
Anonymous
|
It is the perfect age to babysit! They are old enough to be responsible and will play with/engage with your kids as opposed to the 17 yr old babysitter who will plunk them in front of the tv while she sits with her phone.
And you know this kid to boot. Why not give it a try? Maybe try a 90 min/2 hr trial and see how it goes if you're still worried? |
Anonymous
Disagree. There’s a world of difference between a 7 year old a 13 year old. |
Anonymous
No. |
Anonymous
| Start with having him watch the kids while you're there but in another room, then if it works graduate to being close by for a couple of hours. |
Anonymous
Disagree. Especially in this case with a 13yo OP knows well and considers responsible and whose kids consider him as an older kid who has watched them/helped them before and not as a slightly older peer/playmate. Like, a 10-11yo neighbor who often plays outside with group of other elementary schoolers would have a hard time transitioning to babysitter of those kids because he was once more of a friend... but mom's friend's much older son who has been in a "mother's helper" role before is a different story. |
Anonymous
We've already done this--formally a couple of years ago and on other occasions when the families are hanging out and he is playing with the kids/reading with them. I think I'll give it a try, first during the day and then see if he feels comfortable with putting them to bed. |
Anonymous
|
This sounds like the perfect set up, OP. I would be ok with that for the evening without reservation.
Go for it! |
Anonymous
| It’s fine. |