Anonymous
Post 05/06/2016 09:17     Subject: Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?
Does your son have any disability? If not, try to teach your son how to take a shower, not a bath. Don't have time? make time please. As a single parent, he will need to do many things alone. And it's best you be the one to teach him. Same thing with teaching him to make food that he doesn't need to cook, like a sandwich or peanut butter&jelly sandwich.

Get a mat for the bath tub so he doesn't slip. Teach him how to get in and out carefully, turn the water on demonstrate if it's too hot, step away. Step by step and if this happens/do this/that.
The only thing the baby sitter have to check on is the water temperature but if you teach your child correctly, it shouldn't be a problem. And babysitter can also just stand or sit there in case he needs assistance. Put a timer so the shower doesn't last 15 minutes for a little person.

Of course, I would ask the girl and the parents if it's ok the watch the child when showering is involve. Let both know what is expected and if either one is uncomfortable, than skip that task in the evening and try to do it in the AM.

I understand, you may have a lot of choices to find someone older and because of your schedule but it's important you show him how to be a bit independent.



Anonymous
Post 05/05/2016 23:12     Subject: Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?
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.


My 6 and 4 year olds have been practicing showering for 6 months in prep for this summer so they. Can each take 10-min showers post swim/camp while I cook. Your guy definitely can start learning. In this case I would skip those nights and you shower him in the AM. That's a lot for a 13 year old.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2016 18:20     Subject: Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?
No, I don't think it's appropriate. Have him shower in the morning. Or wear swim trunks in the bath.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2016 17:10     Subject: Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?
Ask your kid if it would bother him. If not, fine. If so, just let him skip washing hair - a first grader should really be able to accomplish all other aspects of bathing without adult assistance.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2016 15:37     Subject: Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?
Anonymous wrote:
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?


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.


So what? I don't understand adults like you who would not only just shrug their shoulders and say, "not my problem," but then also actively take advantage of possibly poor parenting of the 13 year old.


+1 this is not a job for a school kid. You should know better and not pry on her inexperience.
Next we hear is you pay her $5 an hour because she agreed?! Not cool.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2016 14:47     Subject: Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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?


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.


So what? I don't understand adults like you who would not only just shrug their shoulders and say, "not my problem," but then also actively take advantage of possibly poor parenting of the 13 year old.

NP, but I think it's more along the lines of letting other parents take care of their kids, while I take care of mine. I think it would be presumptuous for me to decide that this girl can't possibly babysit until 11. For all we know, she's up until 12:30 every night and her mom is grateful she's being kept busy babysitting.[/quote

Riiiighhhtttt.....
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2016 14:41     Subject: Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?
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.


Agree with this. My 2nd grader has been showering herself since kindergarten. Just have him skip hair washing. He should be able to do everything else himself!! In fact, my preschooler can shower herself if she's not washing her hair. Unless your son is special needs, he's old enough to do it himself. My older DC likes to dawdle in the shower so sometimes I time her. If she isn't done in 10 minutes, she looses before bed reading time.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2016 14:37     Subject: Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?
Anonymous wrote:
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?


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.


So what? I don't understand adults like you who would not only just shrug their shoulders and say, "not my problem," but then also actively take advantage of possibly poor parenting of the 13 year old.

NP, but I think it's more along the lines of letting other parents take care of their kids, while I take care of mine. I think it would be presumptuous for me to decide that this girl can't possibly babysit until 11. For all we know, she's up until 12:30 every night and her mom is grateful she's being kept busy babysitting.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2016 14:31     Subject: Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?
Anonymous wrote:If there's concern about being naked, he could take his bath in swim trunks. Or the babysitter could supervise but not wash him directly and they could use a shower curtain.

Does he need to be shampooed every night? That seems excessive, a lot of the times my kids just take a bath or shower without soap or shampoo.


Agree that he probably doesn't need to shampoo every night. Are you available any nights during the week, because he could probably get by with one or two good shampoos a week and then the rest of the time just rinse his head. Even if he is not using shampoo or soap he is still getting pretty clean by being under the shower or soaking in a tub.

My son is 8 and just started showering by himself. I still set the water temperature because the water gets so hot (should probably just turn down our water heater) but he shampoos and washes. Once a week I might help him to make sure he getting everything clean enough. I waited to teach him because he has some delays and I didn't think he was ready, but found once I gave him the responsibility he stepped up pretty quickly and his attention is much better now that he is in charge of it.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2016 14:26     Subject: Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?
Anonymous wrote:My son started transitioning to morning showers at the beginning of 2nd unless he is really stinky or dirty. Then he takes a quick one before bed and another in the morning. Teach him to shower independently in the mornings and don't worry if he doesn't get completely clean at first.


This is key. I figure if my kids are taking showers every night they'll hit every spot sooner or later. (They are 3 and 6.) And if they don't I can help them out in a weekend bath with a deep scrub. Kids really don't need to shampoo every day for the most part-- my kids do often come in with twigs and various detritus in their hair, but even that can be rinsed out for the most part.

Set a timer for him, too, so he can't try to play around in there forever.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2016 14:21     Subject: Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?
If there's concern about being naked, he could take his bath in swim trunks. Or the babysitter could supervise but not wash him directly and they could use a shower curtain.

Does he need to be shampooed every night? That seems excessive, a lot of the times my kids just take a bath or shower without soap or shampoo.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2016 14:10     Subject: Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?
My son started transitioning to morning showers at the beginning of 2nd unless he is really stinky or dirty. Then he takes a quick one before bed and another in the morning. Teach him to shower independently in the mornings and don't worry if he doesn't get completely clean at first.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2016 13:19     Subject: Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?
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?


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.


So what? I don't understand adults like you who would not only just shrug their shoulders and say, "not my problem," but then also actively take advantage of possibly poor parenting of the 13 year old.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2016 13:00     Subject: Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?
I have a 1st grade boy and would not let a 13 year old give him a bath. That would be weird and inappropriate.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2016 12:43     Subject: Is it appropriate to have a 13 year old babysitter supervise my son (1st grade) in the bathtub?
Anonymous wrote:
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.


I'm the pp with 5yo and 7yo boys. Our 14yo next door neighbor babysits for us. My 1st grader would be mortified if she saw him naked.