Anonymous
11/22/2019 15:59
Subject: 13 year old babysitter for 7 and 5 year old
My 13 yo DS could absolutely do this. Just be sure he's clear on screen time and that any food is ready to go. (Mine can cook tortellini, eggs and peanut butter toast. Nothing else!)
Anonymous
11/22/2019 15:25
Subject: 13 year old babysitter for 7 and 5 year old
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
I think the people saying a 6 year age difference is insufficient are bizarre. Would you legit say that a 16 year old couldn't babysit a 10 year old? Or a senior in HS (18) couldn't watch your 6th grader (12)? That seems nuts to me. I think people are intuitively reacting to 13 being young and thinking it's the age difference... In any case, I was part of a babysitting club (inspired by the series, of course) back in the early 90s when we were 12/13 and no one batted an eyelash over it. 13 is plenty old enough if the kid is responsible. Also, in today's cell phone age, I actually think it's way less stressful to have a younger kid babysit... He obviously just calls you if there's a problem.
The age difference matters more at younger ages (just like age differences in dating). That said, it totally depends on your kids. I have one rule-breaking wild child who is a challenge for even our college-age sitters because they were sweet and kind of pushovers and that would be a no and one rule-following kid who will listen to anyone in authority.
I actually think the opposite is true... in fact, your dating age differences proves that. The age difference seems *bigger* when the people are younger.
Anonymous
11/21/2019 20:48
Subject: 13 year old babysitter for 7 and 5 year old
My 11 year old had babysat neighbor kids who are 7 and 5.
Anonymous
11/21/2019 14:26
Subject: 13 year old babysitter for 7 and 5 year old
Anonymous wrote:
I think the people saying a 6 year age difference is insufficient are bizarre. Would you legit say that a 16 year old couldn't babysit a 10 year old? Or a senior in HS (18) couldn't watch your 6th grader (12)? That seems nuts to me. I think people are intuitively reacting to 13 being young and thinking it's the age difference... In any case, I was part of a babysitting club (inspired by the series, of course) back in the early 90s when we were 12/13 and no one batted an eyelash over it. 13 is plenty old enough if the kid is responsible. Also, in today's cell phone age, I actually think it's way less stressful to have a younger kid babysit... He obviously just calls you if there's a problem.
The age difference matters more at younger ages (just like age differences in dating). That said, it totally depends on your kids. I have one rule-breaking wild child who is a challenge for even our college-age sitters because they were sweet and kind of pushovers and that would be a no and one rule-following kid who will listen to anyone in authority.
Anonymous
11/21/2019 14:23
Subject: Re:13 year old babysitter for 7 and 5 year old
My kids were babysitting young children and even infants at 12. A 13 year is certainly not too young. It sounds perfect, OP!
Anonymous
11/21/2019 14:20
Subject: 13 year old babysitter for 7 and 5 year old
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is he interested in babysitting? I'd find that out first.
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...
Did he mention it then or more recently? But yeah, I'd rather the daytime scenario than night. Agreed, age margin is too close.
Recently
I think the people saying a 6 year age difference is insufficient are bizarre. Would you legit say that a 16 year old couldn't babysit a 10 year old? Or a senior in HS (18) couldn't watch your 6th grader (12)? That seems nuts to me. I think people are intuitively reacting to 13 being young and thinking it's the age difference... In any case, I was part of a babysitting club (inspired by the series, of course) back in the early 90s when we were 12/13 and no one batted an eyelash over it. 13 is plenty old enough if the kid is responsible. Also, in today's cell phone age, I actually think it's way less stressful to have a younger kid babysit... He obviously just calls you if there's a problem.
Anonymous
11/21/2019 13:57
Subject: 13 year old babysitter for 7 and 5 year old
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is he interested in babysitting? I'd find that out first.
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...
Did he mention it then or more recently? But yeah, I'd rather the daytime scenario than night. Agreed, age margin is too close.
Recently
Anonymous
11/21/2019 13:40
Subject: 13 year old babysitter for 7 and 5 year old
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is he interested in babysitting? I'd find that out first.
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...
Did he mention it then or more recently? But yeah, I'd rather the daytime scenario than night. Agreed, age margin is too close.