Anonymous wrote:I'd get a sitter.

For a thirteen year old??? I started baby sitting when I was 11.

It’s fine, op. Unless one of the kids is special needs or something you aren’t telling us.

Typical 13 and 9 year olds should be able to babysit each other for seven hours during the day

Have they been left for shorter periods of time? I’d mainly be worried about the boredom factor, unless they are used to being home for an entire day, and meals (to some extent), not using certain appliances

We did it once under more questionable circumstances when our girls were newly 10 and 14. Not saying it’s a great idea but they were fine. They loved getting unlimited TV watching so they barely moved. YMMV

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Anonymous wrote:I would 100% incentivize the 13yo to be with the 9yo.

That means:

- watching a movie together that the 9yo picks
- craft making together (obviously something simple, like a bead bracelet)
- board game together
- video games together

All will be good if the 13yo understands their responsibility here.

And I would not make it public to the 9yo that the 13yo is getting paid or getting a reward.

HAHAHA. You don't have boys, that one thing is certain.

And no, the 13 year doesn't have to cater to the whims of younger sibling. The 9 year old can learn to share and negotiate what they watch and is equally responsible as appropriate for their age level.

But I would be fine with it if there were neighbors or friends close by that they could call if needed.

I do have a boy. Almost the exact same age. 14yo boy. 10yo girl.

And my boy is a wonderful older brother who would happily spend time with his little sister. And we would thank him for be responsible and caring to his younger sister with a small reward afterwards

You’re horrible!

What? Why? why would it be horrible to reward him for caring for his sister?

It would be a token of appreciation. He probably wouldn't want to make a bead bracelet with his little sister, but he would. He probably wouldn't want to watch a musical, but he would.

So as a thank you, we would get him a little something he's wanted. What's so horrible about that?

Keyword: small

If he’s a mother’s helper or babysitter, he should be properly payed.

If it was a babysitter, it would be different. But an older child caring for a young sibling is just part of being a family. So no, you don't get paid like a babysitter. But you will get a token of appreciation.

Man, you guys will always find something to complain/criticize here, wontcha

No, it’s assh0le parents taking advantage of the older kid.

It's really really not. I come from a big family. I was in the middle.

Caring for each other is part of a family's responsibility. Its what actually makes you a family.

If you reduce it to a financial transaction, you're not really a family anymore; you're just people living under a roof together

“Caring for each other”? Does that mean that the youngest receives the same level of responsibilities and expectations? I doubt it. You’re disgusting.

You are totally weird. PP is not disgusting. Your view of family is f****d up.

You’re disgusting too. I feel bad for your oldest child(or girl).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would 100% incentivize the 13yo to be with the 9yo.

That means:

- watching a movie together that the 9yo picks
- craft making together (obviously something simple, like a bead bracelet)
- board game together
- video games together

All will be good if the 13yo understands their responsibility here.

And I would not make it public to the 9yo that the 13yo is getting paid or getting a reward.

HAHAHA. You don't have boys, that one thing is certain.

And no, the 13 year doesn't have to cater to the whims of younger sibling. The 9 year old can learn to share and negotiate what they watch and is equally responsible as appropriate for their age level.

But I would be fine with it if there were neighbors or friends close by that they could call if needed.

I do have a boy. Almost the exact same age. 14yo boy. 10yo girl.

And my boy is a wonderful older brother who would happily spend time with his little sister. And we would thank him for be responsible and caring to his younger sister with a small reward afterwards

You’re horrible!

What? Why? why would it be horrible to reward him for caring for his sister?

It would be a token of appreciation. He probably wouldn't want to make a bead bracelet with his little sister, but he would. He probably wouldn't want to watch a musical, but he would.

So as a thank you, we would get him a little something he's wanted. What's so horrible about that?

Keyword: small

If he’s a mother’s helper or babysitter, he should be properly payed.

If it was a babysitter, it would be different. But an older child caring for a young sibling is just part of being a family. So no, you don't get paid like a babysitter. But you will get a token of appreciation.

Man, you guys will always find something to complain/criticize here, wontcha

No, it’s assh0le parents taking advantage of the older kid.

As the oldest kid who was constantly looking after my younger sibling, I disagree. It makes siblings closer. There are things that family is responsible for…the care of one another. The idea that you object to this is weird. I’m sure your kids would be happy for a break from you.

Are you living under a rock? News flash! Many adult older siblings are resentful of the treatment they received. It’s absolutely weird that you don’t know this. I hope your older kid will care enough about him/herself, and keep you at arm’s length.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would 100% incentivize the 13yo to be with the 9yo.

That means:

- watching a movie together that the 9yo picks
- craft making together (obviously something simple, like a bead bracelet)
- board game together
- video games together

All will be good if the 13yo understands their responsibility here.

And I would not make it public to the 9yo that the 13yo is getting paid or getting a reward.

HAHAHA. You don't have boys, that one thing is certain.

And no, the 13 year doesn't have to cater to the whims of younger sibling. The 9 year old can learn to share and negotiate what they watch and is equally responsible as appropriate for their age level.

But I would be fine with it if there were neighbors or friends close by that they could call if needed.

I do have a boy. Almost the exact same age. 14yo boy. 10yo girl.

And my boy is a wonderful older brother who would happily spend time with his little sister. And we would thank him for be responsible and caring to his younger sister with a small reward afterwards

You’re horrible!

What? Why? why would it be horrible to reward him for caring for his sister?

It would be a token of appreciation. He probably wouldn't want to make a bead bracelet with his little sister, but he would. He probably wouldn't want to watch a musical, but he would.

So as a thank you, we would get him a little something he's wanted. What's so horrible about that?

Keyword: small

If he’s a mother’s helper or babysitter, he should be properly payed.

If it was a babysitter, it would be different. But an older child caring for a young sibling is just part of being a family. So no, you don't get paid like a babysitter. But you will get a token of appreciation.

Man, you guys will always find something to complain/criticize here, wontcha

No, it’s assh0le parents taking advantage of the older kid.

It's really really not. I come from a big family. I was in the middle.

Caring for each other is part of a family's responsibility. Its what actually makes you a family.

If you reduce it to a financial transaction, you're not really a family anymore; you're just people living under a roof together

“Caring for each other”? Does that mean that the youngest receives the same level of responsibilities and expectations? I doubt it. You’re disgusting.

You are totally weird. PP is not disgusting. Your view of family is f****d up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would 100% incentivize the 13yo to be with the 9yo.

That means:

- watching a movie together that the 9yo picks
- craft making together (obviously something simple, like a bead bracelet)
- board game together
- video games together

All will be good if the 13yo understands their responsibility here.

And I would not make it public to the 9yo that the 13yo is getting paid or getting a reward.

HAHAHA. You don't have boys, that one thing is certain.

And no, the 13 year doesn't have to cater to the whims of younger sibling. The 9 year old can learn to share and negotiate what they watch and is equally responsible as appropriate for their age level.

But I would be fine with it if there were neighbors or friends close by that they could call if needed.

I do have a boy. Almost the exact same age. 14yo boy. 10yo girl.

And my boy is a wonderful older brother who would happily spend time with his little sister. And we would thank him for be responsible and caring to his younger sister with a small reward afterwards

You’re horrible!

What? Why? why would it be horrible to reward him for caring for his sister?

It would be a token of appreciation. He probably wouldn't want to make a bead bracelet with his little sister, but he would. He probably wouldn't want to watch a musical, but he would.

So as a thank you, we would get him a little something he's wanted. What's so horrible about that?

Keyword: small

If he’s a mother’s helper or babysitter, he should be properly payed.

If it was a babysitter, it would be different. But an older child caring for a young sibling is just part of being a family. So no, you don't get paid like a babysitter. But you will get a token of appreciation.

Man, you guys will always find something to complain/criticize here, wontcha

No, it’s assh0le parents taking advantage of the older kid.

As the oldest kid who was constantly looking after my younger sibling, I disagree. It makes siblings closer. There are things that family is responsible for…the care of one another. The idea that you object to this is weird. I’m sure your kids would be happy for a break from you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would 100% incentivize the 13yo to be with the 9yo.

That means:

- watching a movie together that the 9yo picks
- craft making together (obviously something simple, like a bead bracelet)
- board game together
- video games together

All will be good if the 13yo understands their responsibility here.

And I would not make it public to the 9yo that the 13yo is getting paid or getting a reward.

HAHAHA. You don't have boys, that one thing is certain.

And no, the 13 year doesn't have to cater to the whims of younger sibling. The 9 year old can learn to share and negotiate what they watch and is equally responsible as appropriate for their age level.

But I would be fine with it if there were neighbors or friends close by that they could call if needed.

I do have a boy. Almost the exact same age. 14yo boy. 10yo girl.

And my boy is a wonderful older brother who would happily spend time with his little sister. And we would thank him for be responsible and caring to his younger sister with a small reward afterwards

You’re horrible!

What? Why? why would it be horrible to reward him for caring for his sister?

It would be a token of appreciation. He probably wouldn't want to make a bead bracelet with his little sister, but he would. He probably wouldn't want to watch a musical, but he would.

So as a thank you, we would get him a little something he's wanted. What's so horrible about that?

Keyword: small

If he’s a mother’s helper or babysitter, he should be properly payed.

If it was a babysitter, it would be different. But an older child caring for a young sibling is just part of being a family. So no, you don't get paid like a babysitter. But you will get a token of appreciation.

Man, you guys will always find something to complain/criticize here, wontcha

No, it’s assh0le parents taking advantage of the older kid.

It's really really not. I come from a big family. I was in the middle.

Caring for each other is part of a family's responsibility. Its what actually makes you a family.

If you reduce it to a financial transaction, you're not really a family anymore; you're just people living under a roof together

“Caring for each other”? Does that mean that the youngest receives the same level of responsibilities and expectations? I doubt it. You’re disgusting.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd get a sitter.

Many 13 years olds are sitters. I would be comfortable with this.

m
True. I’ve used 13 yr old sitters before. But for 2-3 hours. 7 hours is a long time to babysit, especially for a
13 yr old. Then add in it is their own sibling, and I think it is a bad idea at worst, at best it isn’t ideal. It’s unlikely anything terrible will happen- but the likely scenario is 13 yr old will be playing video games/watching YouTube all day and completely ignoring sibling. Sibling will be whining and bored and/or join in watching inappropriate teen content all day. Or they will fight

I would rather arrange for each to spend the day at a friend’s house over this