Looking for your input.....

Avatar for me_n_my_gals
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Looking for your input.....
4
Tue, 09-27-2005 - 9:32am

It has to do with babysitters. My regular babysitter lives 2 houses away, loves my girls, brings projects and treats, cleans up after them, has them in bed when I ask, is sure to discipline when necessary, and best of all is Red Cross certified. Now, this is where I run into the problem - she is a freshman in high school - she is becoming harder to pin down now that she has dances, etc. So, I need a sitter on Oct. 8 and I found out that is Homecoming - ugh. There are no high school age sitters to be found. There is a 6th grader at the school the girls go to, that has been BEGGING me to babysit for Katie and Molly. She is Red Cross Certified, and really loves my dd's. She plays with them on the playground, quite a bit. How would you feel about a 6th grader babysitting for your 1st and 3rd grader? I need to start "grooming" a new sitter to pick up the slack when our favorite sitter is unavailable. The girls would only be up for an hour and a half once we leave, and several of our neighbors will be home that night (I have already checked), if she runs into an emergency situation. She wouldn't need to worry about a meal - most likely just a snack. I could also let the girls know that this is a test - if there is any misbehavior, I won't be able to ask Brittany again for a while, until she is older. I don't know - hoping that someone here can help me out.

Thanks,
Wendy

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Registered: 01-06-2004
Tue, 09-27-2005 - 1:16pm
I personally would not.
I think having a child in highschool watching my children is a maybe, but not younger.
I am one to use adults. I know how I was as a child babysitter, not always as we seem at that age.
JMHO
Good luck finding a babysitter in time :)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2005
Tue, 09-27-2005 - 1:29pm

Wendy, I don't know, this one is a tuffy! I personally wouldn't because I have a 12 year old 7th grader and I would never think of letting her watch Lexus or Aston alone. I very much trust her and I know she knows what to do, but I would be worrying the whole time I was out. If you think this girl is mature enough and if you are sure you do not have a doubt in your mind or if you don't think you will be worrying one bit than I say go ahead. Good luck with this whole situation. Oh but one another thing, if someone really wanted to (say a neighbor) they could call CPS on this for leaving children home all under the age of 12. Just something to seriously think about.

Olivia

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&nbs
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Registered: 11-08-2004
Tue, 09-27-2005 - 2:19pm
Wendy,
How old is she? If she's at least 12 (I think that's the legal age to bs here) and you're comfortable with her, I say go for it. Your girls are old enough that they are pretty independent and really just need a sitter to play with them and be there in case an emergency comes up. My kids are 4 and 6 and we have a 12 year old sitter. I find the younger ones are often better sitters because they're usually excited to do it and they don't have as many conflicts (boys, jobs, etc.)
Good luck! Hope you have a nice worry-free evening out : )
Wendy
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 09-28-2005 - 6:39am

Thanks ladies! I never thought of the age thing. I don't think she will be 12 until December. Sigh. I still haven't figured out what to do. Maybe we will just skip going out.

Thanks again,
Wendy

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