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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Would you leave a sibling to babysit My eldest will be 14 in April and my youngest is 9 will be 10 in August. Not on about going of for the whole night or anything but will be nice to have a little freedom. For maybe a zumba class or something. |
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By *andKCouple
over a year ago
Norfolk |
"Would you leave a sibling to babysit My eldest will be 14 in April and my youngest is 9 will be 10 in August. Not on about going of for the whole night or anything but will be nice to have a little freedom. For maybe a zumba class or something."
its all about maturity, I wouldn't trust our 29 year old to babysit his own shadow! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Its down to the child involved, my middle ones 18 and i still wouldnt leave her to baby sit for my youngest, my eldesy was always very mature and i think even as young as 12 she was responsable enough to babysit, even tho i wouldnt have left a 12 year old i personally thik she would have been fine if i has
I think 14 is old enough but only you know if your daughters trusy worthy enough |
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The legal age used to be 12 not sure what it is now. I was babysitting from about 12. Didnt leave my son on his own at night until he was 15 (but that was me). I would say your daughter is a good age as long as she has contact numbers.
There is also something called childscope(i think) where you can ring them for advice. My ex husband kicked off when i let my son walk to school on his own at 7 and they told me that was acceptable |
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"Its down to the child involved, my middle ones 18 and i still wouldnt leave her to baby sit for my youngest, my eldesy was always very mature and i think even as young as 12 she was responsable enough to babysit, even tho i wouldnt have left a 12 year old i personally thik she would have been fine if i has
I think 14 is old enough but only you know if your daughters trusy worthy enough"
There is,despite what many people believe, no minimum age.
It depends on the child involved,ages of the children they are caring for,length of time ect ect...
As said,only you know your kids ,it isnt just the 14 yr old,but the younger ones,do they play up to her or respect her. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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It's legal to leave a child with another child who is over the age of 13, but you have to use your judgement in whether that 13y/o is mature enough for the responsibility of looking after a younger sibling for an hour or two. My eldest daughter is 14 and she's looked after our 2y/o for short periods recently when we had to go to dr's/hospital for scans/checkups etc. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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The law states there is no legal age for babysitters however the childrens and young persons act 1933 states that parents can be prosecuted for wilful neglect if they leave a child unsupervised ‘in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health'. If someone under 16 is left to look after children the parent guardian still reamains legally responsible for the children, so really I think it depends on how mature you think your babysitter is . |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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I have never left them it has either been nanny or babysitter and as my babysitter retired last year have been without one hence only going out 3 times last year not complaining as yes I am there mum. But Mums need quality time too. And yes Rosie is mature enough but just worried about them killing each other. Think if I stay local ie Pub or Fitness class. There has to be a point when I start trusting them. |
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"It's legal to leave a child with another child who is over the age of 13, but you have to use your judgement in whether that 13y/o is mature enough for the responsibility of looking after a younger sibling for an hour or two. My eldest daughter is 14 and she's looked after our 2y/o for short periods recently when we had to go to dr's/hospital for scans/checkups etc."
has the law changed recently then...because when i did my child protection training there was no legal minimum for the reasons given in this thread...danger can only be assessed according to individual circumstances. |
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By *adchickCouple
over a year ago
Cyprus |
"Would you leave a sibling to babysit My eldest will be 14 in April and my youngest is 9 will be 10 in August. Not on about going of for the whole night or anything but will be nice to have a little freedom. For maybe a zumba class or something."
My oldest used to earn her allowance by babysitting her siblings.
At 14 I was leaving them for up to 2 hours (my mum was literally round the corner)
At 16 I would go out for the evening.
At 18..... I was out all bloody night!  |
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"I have never left them it has either been nanny or babysitter and as my babysitter retired last year have been without one hence only going out 3 times last year not complaining as yes I am there mum. But Mums need quality time too. And yes Rosie is mature enough but just worried about them killing each other. Think if I stay local ie Pub or Fitness class. There has to be a point when I start trusting them."
why dont you trial it by just going to one of your neighbours one night, you never know they may take the sudden responsibility really well, make them realise you see them as grown ups now, not just your babies |
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ignore that,thought i was right 
From the nspcc website
"the law does not set a minimum age at which children can be left alone. However, it is an offence to leave a child alone when doing so puts him or her at risk."
From the police website in case u dont believe the nspcc
"No there is no legal age for babysitting. It is the responsibility of the parents using common sense to make the decision. It is worth bearing in mind though that a child under 16 years old cannot be prosecuted for neglect or ill treatment of children in their care. The parents/carers/guardians would be charged in that situation. However, any person who is 16 or over and who has responsibility for a person under that age could be prosecuted." |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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My Previous babysitter started when she was 17 till 19 my girls love her and was like having a big sister. Rosie I think be fine left on her own and Bridie still to go nannies for time being anyway was thinking after she was 14. Just wanted other views on it and how did you feel when you first left them on their own. Being a parent sometimes a minefield. |
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My daughter is 15, my son 6. I do think my daughter is mature enough that she can babysit, as long as I'm local and my son is asleep.
Him being awake is a totally different matter, they would end up killing each other!!!!  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"ignore that,thought i was right
From the nspcc website
"the law does not set a minimum age at which children can be left alone. However, it is an offence to leave a child alone when doing so puts him or her at risk."
From the police website in case u dont believe the nspcc
"No there is no legal age for babysitting. It is the responsibility of the parents using common sense to make the decision. It is worth bearing in mind though that a child under 16 years old cannot be prosecuted for neglect or ill treatment of children in their care. The parents/carers/guardians would be charged in that situation. However, any person who is 16 or over and who has responsibility for a person under that age could be prosecuted.""
I said that up there ^^^^^^^ lol |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Would you leave a sibling to babysit My eldest will be 14 in April and my youngest is 9 will be 10 in August. Not on about going of for the whole night or anything but will be nice to have a little freedom. For maybe a zumba class or something.
its all about maturity, I wouldn't trust our 29 year old to babysit his own shadow!"
Hahaha...that had me laughing out loud! |
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By *andKCouple
over a year ago
Norfolk |
"Would you leave a sibling to babysit My eldest will be 14 in April and my youngest is 9 will be 10 in August. Not on about going of for the whole night or anything but will be nice to have a little freedom. For maybe a zumba class or something.
its all about maturity, I wouldn't trust our 29 year old to babysit his own shadow!
Hahaha...that had me laughing out loud! "
trouble is it's true  |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"My daughter is 15, my son 6. I do think my daughter is mature enough that she can babysit, as long as I'm local and my son is asleep.
Him being awake is a totally different matter, they would end up killing each other!!!! "
Yep that's my trouble |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I have never left them it has either been nanny or babysitter and as my babysitter retired last year have been without one hence only going out 3 times last year not complaining as yes I am there mum. But Mums need quality time too. And yes Rosie is mature enough but just worried about them killing each other. Think if I stay local ie Pub or Fitness class. There has to be a point when I start trusting them.
why dont you trial it by just going to one of your neighbours one night, you never know they may take the sudden responsibility really well, make them realise you see them as grown ups now, not just your babies"
Very good idea
Maybe if you have a neighbour that could make an excuse just to drop in and make sure shes ok 1st time.
I used to go to collage and my middle son used to get home at 4.15 from school so at 15yrd he was on his own until 4.45 (my mum was 2 doors down).... i had a neighbour who called the police to say he was on his own for hrs! The police turned up and the new pc told my mum he shouldnt be left on his own till he was 18! I nearly died laughing when i got home. He used to just come in and watch tv  |
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By *phroditeWoman
over a year ago
(She/ her) in Sensualityland |
In the aftermath of Madeleine Mcann's abduction I enquired with a policeman friend of mine and was told to my surprise that babysitters had to be 16.
I guess the reality is often different and perhaps it should depend more on teh maturity of the babysitter; some 16 year olds would not be suitable whereas some 14 or 15 year olds would have the necessary common sense. |
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"In the aftermath of Madeleine Mcann's abduction I enquired with a policeman friend of mine and was told to my surprise that babysitters had to be 16.
I guess the reality is often different and perhaps it should depend more on teh maturity of the babysitter; some 16 year olds would not be suitable whereas some 14 or 15 year olds would have the necessary common sense."
So you could legally have your own child but wouldnt be able to look after someone elses? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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From AskThePolice:
""There is no legal age for babysitting. It is the responsibility of the parents using common sense to make the decision. It is worth bearing in mind though that a child under 16 years old cannot be prosecuted for neglect or ill treatment of children in their care. The parents/carers/guardians would be charged in that situation. However, any person who is 16 or over and who has responsibility for a person under that age could be prosecuted.""
https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q455.htm |
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"From AskThePolice:
"There is no legal age for babysitting. It is the responsibility of the parents using common sense to make the decision. It is worth bearing in mind though that a child under 16 years old cannot be prosecuted for neglect or ill treatment of children in their care. The parents/carers/guardians would be charged in that situation. However, any person who is 16 or over and who has responsibility for a person under that age could be prosecuted."
https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q455.htm"
its already up there^^^^^^  |
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By *phroditeWoman
over a year ago
(She/ her) in Sensualityland |
"In the aftermath of Madeleine Mcann's abduction I enquired with a policeman friend of mine and was told to my surprise that babysitters had to be 16.
I guess the reality is often different and perhaps it should depend more on teh maturity of the babysitter; some 16 year olds would not be suitable whereas some 14 or 15 year olds would have the necessary common sense.
So you could legally have your own child but wouldnt be able to look after someone elses?"
Seems like it, I am afraid. I can only go by what I was told - mind you, I would never have left mine with anybody younger than about 18 anyway plus a responsible friend's telephone number, but that s just me wanting to be safe. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"From AskThePolice:
"There is no legal age for babysitting. It is the responsibility of the parents using common sense to make the decision. It is worth bearing in mind though that a child under 16 years old cannot be prosecuted for neglect or ill treatment of children in their care. The parents/carers/guardians would be charged in that situation. However, any person who is 16 or over and who has responsibility for a person under that age could be prosecuted."
https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q455.htm"
I shouldnt have bothered posted earlier as that is what I said ah well never mind |
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"In the aftermath of Madeleine Mcann's abduction I enquired with a policeman friend of mine and was told to my surprise that babysitters had to be 16.
I guess the reality is often different and perhaps it should depend more on teh maturity of the babysitter; some 16 year olds would not be suitable whereas some 14 or 15 year olds would have the necessary common sense.
So you could legally have your own child but wouldnt be able to look after someone elses?
Seems like it, I am afraid. I can only go by what I was told - mind you, I would never have left mine with anybody younger than about 18 anyway plus a responsible friend's telephone number, but that s just me wanting to be safe."
well i didnt leave my son with anyone and when he was 15 i just left him for a couple of hours. He left home at 16 but that was just me being safe |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I shouldnt have bothered posted earlier as that is what I said ah well never mind "
Sorry, I didn't read the whole thread. Just the first few and then went off to search for the legal age and found that stuff. Didn't mean to tread on ya toes. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I shouldnt have bothered posted earlier as that is what I said ah well never mind
Sorry, I didn't read the whole thread. Just the first few and then went off to search for the legal age and found that stuff. Didn't mean to tread on ya toes. "
 its ok you can step on my toes any time you want long as you kiss them better after |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I shouldnt have bothered posted earlier as that is what I said ah well never mind
Sorry, I didn't read the whole thread. Just the first few and then went off to search for the legal age and found that stuff. Didn't mean to tread on ya toes.
its ok you can step on my toes any time you want long as you kiss them better after "
..and work my way up? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I shouldnt have bothered posted earlier as that is what I said ah well never mind
Sorry, I didn't read the whole thread. Just the first few and then went off to search for the legal age and found that stuff. Didn't mean to tread on ya toes.
its ok you can step on my toes any time you want long as you kiss them better after
..and work my way up? "
thought you would never ask |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I often nip out for a short while if its just the older ones in.. MY daughter aged 15 has downs but likes to have some responsibility..
I have been told by social services that if I deem the older two as suitable then that is how it is..
I always also get my neighbour to pop in if I am going to be more than an hour.
However they both know how to ring me if they need me.. or will text me..
So far the most that has happened... is that they found my stash of lollipops and ate them..
THe other daughter is 13. and very very mature for her age..
I tend to not leave them in charge of the 5 year old.. unless I am going to the local shop for milk.. There is also a ten year old..
I would think that she would be fine while you went to zumba class.. I leave mine at home while I go for mine.
Cali |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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used to take my little bros n sisters out to the park on a weekend from about 11 years old so me mam could get on with the house and babysat for ma and pa to go out at about 14 years old.
Those days the area was not built up and there were very few cars about, parks were full of kids and always had a patrolling park keeper. |
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