How much to pay an 11 year old to "babysit" the kids for 90 min while I"m nearby?

[Anonymous]

Oh for crying out loud. I'm totally in OP's camp here - this will be fine. Sounds like great fun for everyone.

[Anonymous]

I think it's a bad idea. Hire a real babysitter to watch your kids.

[Anonymous]

When I was 5 playing at a playground with a lot of family and friends about 20 people. I watched as a 2 yr old little boy got kidnapped. A man came up grabbed his hand and walked off. 25 years later he hasn't been found. It can happen in the blink of an eye. Still haunts me knowing I saw him leave. I of course had no clue he was being kidnapped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again.

Thanks! I'll go with $15 per game then. I'm not too worried about having the 11 year old watch them. I'll be really nearby for anything (within sight the whole time), and it's a woman's rec league team. At least 80% of the people on the field (both teams) will be moms, no one's going to freak if I just have to run off the field for whatever. There will be subs on the side of the field to help out too. I can have the 9 month old sitting on a blanket or in her stroller and the 3 year old will be thrilled to run around an play catch.

Mostly all the 11 year old has to do is keep the 3 year old from running onto the field!

thanks everyone!

Still a bad bad idea. I am not calling you a bad mother but your judgement needs help. I wouldnt leave an 11 year old by himself let alone be in charge of two kids. What happens if someone runs, grabs the kid and bolts. What do you expect a 11 year old to do? Bad seriously bad idea.

[Anonymous]

I know others have said it, but I wanted to mention what if the 3 year old has to go to the bathroom? I can't imagine an 11 year old being able to handle a stroller and toddler potty break at the same time? I would really try to find someone older or get another helper that can assist with the baby only while the 11 year old plays with the 3 year old. Even though you are right there, parks are really scary now a days.

[Anonymous]

I have to agree with the other posters - you hare making a HUGE mistake having an eleven-year-old child watch your children. Please reconsider. In some states, what you are doing is actually illegal and considered child endangerment.

[Anonymous]

I agree it's a big mistake. What if the baby needs lots of attention or poops. The 11 yr old gets distracted trying to calm the baby and 5 minutes go by. 11 yr olds don't think like adults. They can't multi task and watch both at the same time. I as a career nanny struggle at the playground with 2 plus children. I always have a meeting place in case someone gets separated. I bring a whistle. I'm still nervous the entire time. Seconds count when watching children. They can be gone in an instant. The 11 yr old could be kidnapped that's a child right there. I would never leave an 11 yr old alone at a playground.

[Anonymous]

OP, you are not a 'bad' mom - geez! Try it out the first time and see how it goes.

[Anonymous]

They will be feet away from their mother. Do you people really worry abt kidnapping that much?

[Anonymous]

OP again - WOW! I just checked back to see if anyone had another opinion about the cost, and I'm shocked!

Seriously?!? I'm a horrible mother? I need to be worried about my kids getting kidnaped in the blink of an eye? I'm endangering my child?!?

You guys are seriously overreacting. Yes, I know the 11 year old would struggle taking the 3 y/o to the bathroom (port-a potty!!!! *gasp*!!!) with the baby. That's why he (or one of the other adults on the sidelines) would call me out of the game. Same for a poop-splosion. Same for a tantrum.

And while I understand it's a dangerous world, there's not a chance in hell I'm going to live in so much fear that I can't leave my kids in a mostly controlled environment, within my sight, within sight of 20+ other adults, and where I can be at their side in seconds if something actually requiring my attention comes up.

Thanks for the feedback on how much to pay the babysitter (for those of you who gave it)

[Anonymous]

You are delusional OP. Don't you think you and all the other adults will be focused on the game? I can't imagine you being a valuable player if the whole time your sight is on your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are delusional OP. Don't you think you and all the other adults will be focused on the game? I can't imagine you being a valuable player if the whole time your sight is on your kids.

I doubt it is the World Cup she is playing. Lighten up PP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are delusional OP. Don't you think you and all the other adults will be focused on the game? I can't imagine you being a valuable player if the whole time your sight is on your kids.

I doubt it is the World Cup she is playing. Lighten up PP!

Lol! +1

[Anonymous]

Good grief you all are nuts. $15 sounds great OP, and as someone who grew up on the sidelines of ball fields, and eventually played on them myself, this is NOT a big deal. We coddle children today to a point of helplessness. At 11, I was walking myself home from school, meeting my 7 year old brother on the way, stopping at the store to grab things for dinner, and preparing it if my mother would be late. An 11 year old can handle playing with a 3 year old and a baby on a blanket at the park, mere feet away from his and their parents. Simmer down.

[Anonymous]

I was babysitting on my own for full days 7 hours at a time at 11. If she trusts him then everyone chill