Anonymous wrote:Tell your daughter to just own it, and be like "yeah, I'm afraid to stay home alone, thank god you're here to hang out with me" and they can watch age-appropriate movies together.

I would not let my kid sequester herself in her bedroom.

Why can’t your kid stay in her room if she wants?

I sat for 10 years, starting around 15. The tweens wanted to do their own thing or would hang out with friends who'd come over. No skin off my back. Those were easy nights.

Tell your daughter to just own it, and be like "yeah, I'm afraid to stay home alone, thank god you're here to hang out with me" and they can watch age-appropriate movies together.

I would not let my kid sequester herself in her bedroom.

Agree. The close age is a good thing.

Let her know the wifi password. If she’s free to eat snacks let her know specifically which ones. Young teen babysitters won’t ask and will err on the side of not eating your food. Tell her she doesn’t have to interact with your daughter if she doesn’t want to. She probably will.

Anything you think she needs to know tell her. Anything that’s off limits specifically point out. If you want her to pick anything up (ie box up leftover pizza) specifically tell her that and show her what to put it in. She most likely won’t ask any questions.

-Mom of teens who started babysitting around 13.

I have an 11 yr old DD (and a 10 and 5 yr old) and regularly use a a couple 14 yr old babysitters. Sometimes they come as a pair, sometimes just one. My DD loves them. They like to make silly videos on our iPad (not to internet/social media), watch movies, make stovetop popcorn, build forts, cards. I think the close age is a great thing

The girl lives in our neighborhood and is 15, our DD is 11 but is afraid to stay home alone after dark, but also feels weird about having a babysitter. We’ve always used a family member in the past. DD thinks it’s going to be awkward for her and for the girl. She doesn’t want the girl to think she has to play board games with her or watch kiddie movies.

I told her she’s welcome to stay in her room. The babysitter will have access to the TV and streaming, Wi-Fi, snacks and pizza, drinks. I’m not sure she’s ever babysat anyone other than her siblings, so I don’t know if she has a routine. I remember babysitting but the kids were always younger and pretty much went right to bed and I sat looking through photo albums and watching TV lol

Is there anything else I need to know or tell this girl?