48 Hours - 14 YO babysitter
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| Thu, 05-08-2003 - 7:30am |
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/03/13/48hours/main543927.shtml
I watched in shock - - - here a woman left a 2 and a 3 year old with a 14 year old babysitter, and the younger child was very sick.
I think some 14 year olds are old enough to babysit. In fact, this kid seemed rather exceptional - but on a full time basis for children so young? I myself at 14 would babysit on a Sat. night, for a few hours, but I can't remember watching kids this young, or any child with a fever/vomiting.
One of the reasons I SAH is because I feel there is a lack of *quality* care where I live. I have kids this young in age, and spaced so close together. When they were that age, in fact, my highly responsible 20 yo brother would come out to my home when we took a night out, had everything prepared - kids fed, in pjs, ready to play for a little bit and go to bed. My other brother and SIL live right across the street, and they have four children - so I felt if there was anything he could not handle, he could call us on the cell or seek close-by assistance.
Am I way out in left field here? Or am I really one of these overboard mothers?
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1. Why do they believe the father/mother based only on them stating "they didn't do it" (especially considering one link states a doc called C&Y because of possible abuse bruising when in ER for stomach bug).
2. Why didn't the mother just come home the first time when told her dd was still sick. Sorry, I have dealt with parents that refuse to believe their child is as sick as they really are. I am not trying to be rude or mean here....but if someone says your child is sick (I don't care if they are sleeping or not) you need to get out of work and go to them. Even more so if it is a young babysitter because they don't always have the "how sick is sick" concept.
(be back later and will finish reading the rest of the links).
The first is age. I have a 6yo anda 2.5yo and I would not leave them with a 14yo babysitter. The evening babysitter we have is 17. She often brings her 14yo brother with her who loves to play with the kids. so we, in essence, have two watching the kids. And I was hesitant about her watching them to begin with. But we know her and her family,so I got over it. And she's great. The evening babysitter we had before her was 24 and married. lol This was when the kids were 5 and 1.
The second issue is teh sick kid. I wouidn't leave a feverish, much less vomiting, kid with ANY babysitter. That is poor judgement on the parenting part.
Hollie
In fact, the only people I have ever left my DD with are relatives (SIL, MIL, Mom) and her Nanny. We just don't have the time to fully screen someone else and we haven't had the need.
Though they never once, mentioned much beyond the facts of the case. It played out like it was perfectly acceptable to leave your kids with a fourteen year old.
And sick, yes. He had called the mother at work and let her know that baby was still sick. She chose to let him handle it. I just find it appalling, really!
HOllie
This case sounds really yucky (I didn't see the episode, but have read through most of your link). Who knows who caused the injuries. Should mom have come home when she found out child was sick? Yes. Should she have left the child with a 14 y/o babysitter if the child was sick (as the 14 y/o says she was)? No. With the evidence shown in the article, could I convict this (now) 16 y/o? No.
I don't know...I see no problem with teens babysitting, on a case-by-case basis, but regularly, and while the kids being babysat for are sick? No....I can't see ever doing that.
Okmrsmommy-36, CPmom to DD-16 and DS-14
Anyways, JMHO, sorry if I insulted anyone who uses 14 year old boys for babysitters.
I don't think the age of the babysitter really has anything to do with this story.
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