At what age should a child be allowed to start babysitting?

[Anonymous]

I know of an 11 year old girl in our neighborhood that babysits and i remember being babysat at 11 years old 🤨

[Oliverlogan263]

There's no definitive answer, but here are some general guidelines:

- Red Cross recommends minimum age 12 to take a babysitting training course. They're not mature enough before that.

- Around 13-14 is when kids are usually mature enough to watch younger kids alone. By then they understand responsibility better.

- An 11 year old could babysit with supervision from an older kid or adult nearby. Alone is too young since things happen fast with little kids.

- Even at 13-14, they should only watch kids a few years younger, like up to age 8 tops alone. Younger than 5 is iffy still at that age alone.

- Parents should check laws in their state too. Some have minimum age laws like 12 or 13 before leaving a kid home alone for any length of time.

Honestly man, 11 just seems too young alone in charge for a night. An emergency happens and they can't drive or do much to help. 13 is a better age to start for real responsibility like that. With parents and the sitter both agreeing they're mature enough for whatever job. Safety first!

[Asker]

The *Even at 13-14, they should only watch kids a few years younger, like up to age 8 tops alone. Younger than 5 is iffy still at that age alone.*

I agree with but could you imagine what a nightmare it would be if your like an 11 year old boy and had a crush on this cute 13 year old in school and your parents hired to her babysit you, i would die if that happen and i'm sure it has happened to some people, i would have to change school haha.

[Oliverlogan263]

Oh man, yeah that would be beyond awkward if you had a crush on the babysitter! I'd literally wanna disappear into another dimension if that ever happened to me at 11. Like everyone would find out and never let me live it down.

But yeah some parents really don't think that stuff through I guess. At least if they hired a slightly older sitter it wouldn't be as messed up. Can you imagine her coming over and you're just like dying inside the whole time trying not to act weird in front of mom and dad? Yikes.

Or worse, what if she somehow found out you liked her? Instant death. I'd simply pass away on the spot. No way could I ever face her at school again after that.

Parents need to consider these kinds of nightmare scenarios before hiring like a super young teen to watch their kid that has a crush on them. That's just begging for psychological trauma haha. From now on if my parents try to get a sitter I'm definitely vetting them first to avoid any school crush situations. Could not handle that level of awkwardness at this age!

[rosemilk]

i feel like 11 is way too young. i feel like 16 should be the minimum. i just wouldn't trust an 11 year old at all

[Cutegirl06]

I started babysitting at 12.

[Asker]

But your a little baby yourself at 12 so how can you be responsible for another baby 🧸👶🏻🍼 What ages did you babysit for and did you enjoy doing it or was it kind of forced upon you?

[Nikki1989]

No younger than 16.

[FunkyMonkee]

16, 17.