Teenage babysitters WDYT???

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Depends on the teenager and the child. I babysat as a teen and knew the children and parents well beforehand (family friends). My mum lived a 5 min walk away. At first it was when the children were in bed (paid for watching TV and doing homework, bonus!) but age 15 onwards it was for whole days. It was a great summer job!

I think if you know the teen and she's responsible, doesn't matter about experience. A lot of people have no experience about things they do for the first time, a good dollop of common sense is all you need most first times. There are some teens I know I would be OK with them babysitting Liebs (should the need arise) so I don't think it's a bad idea.

[LimeSlice]

Given her parents are right next door, I cannot see an issue.

We all pretty much were babysat by teens or sat as teens, I think it is great experience, and a bit more invested responsibility and trust in teens these days wouldn't go astray.

If you trust her and the kids get along with her well, go for it - and have fun on your night out!!

[didispunk]

Yes I would allow her to mind my kids.. i pay a sitter now that is a qalified child care working 10$ so i would pay the same..

[briggsy's girl]

I think if you know the teen and she's responsible, doesn't matter about experience. A lot of people have no experience about things they do for the first time, a good dollop of common sense is all you need most first times.

this is how i feel - age is nothing but a number - if she is responsible and you trust her to take care of your children as you expect them to be cared for, go for it!
i was babysitting kids by the time i was 12, newborns by 14 (youngest was 5 weeks - brother was unwell and she needed to get him to the doctors, she was a very nervous mummy and just couldn't cope). all were within 5 minues drive for MY mum if things went to hell and i needed her (never did, but knowing she was available helped).

i think looking past the age and looking at the person is the ONLY way to decide who you are comfortable looking after your kids. make sure you are clear about your "rules" re bedtime (routine/drinks etc) and what your expectations are

i used to get $20 for an evening caring for a kidlet, up to 9.30pm, then i went to $10 an hour after that (mum did FDC so she made sure i didn't get ripped lol). during the day it was dependent on who, how many kids etc as to what we negotiated for me to be paid. most of the kids i looked after were FDC kids who became friends of the family, so the parents knew me, had seen me with their kids etc...

[AwesomeFoursome]

I would do it.

[Mak]

Great thanks everyone! My gut feeling is really good about this - I am also very happy to have her in the house which is not necessarily how I have felt about other people. I am off to chat to her mum and dad to make sure they are all ok with it too. If that is good then we'll organise an hour or two with the kids on a Sat pm and DH and I will take the dog for a walk!!! I am really excited as Dh and I both realise we need to make a bigger effort to invest in us after 4 years of just getting by.
One last question - is $10/hr too measly???
Thanks again for your encouragement!

[Tinks]

I'd do it. When we were kids we were always babysat by teenagers and I've always had teens babysit my kids when I've needed it.

She lives next door so if she needs any help her mother is right there.

$10 an hour sounds perfect.

[Mum2Romone]

i remember i used to get $10 an hour..... when I was 12 My mum used to leave me with 2 brothers 9 and 6, step brother 5 and stepsister 1 yr old. So lots of other parents started 'using ' me lol

But of course experience with younger brothers/sisters was what made it easy for me.
I'd only leave my son with someone he knew, who had experience with a baby and could react in an emergency. Not just call 000 or run next door to their parents. I'd want someone who could help me son if he was choking etc. Things happen in the blink of an eye.

I'd trust a 12 year old that knew how to look after a child already rather than an 18 year old who didn't. Just my thoughts

[LimeSlice]

$10 sounds perfect...

If you come home and she has done your dishes and tidied up for you then I would up it to $15 lol

[Chocaholic]

$10 a hr sounds like a good deal. I would also have treats for her (i.e. chocolates, flavoured milk) and let her know she can bring DVDs etc that she wants to watch.

When I babysat, I found that the more welcome I was made to feel, the more comfortable I was with the kids and I felt more capable as the parents trusted me. Also helped when I accidently broke a plate and owned up when they got home. I would have found it harder to own up to a mistake if I wasn't comfortable. Luckily, they were understanding and refused to keep my 'wages' for the night as payment for the plate. Later the wife told me that she hated the plate and had been trying to 'accidently' break it for years. Apparently it was a wedding present from an aunt of her DH's that she loathed.

I agree that you start with short visits and go from there.

Have fun on your night out!

[Rouge]

$10 an hour is great IMO.

If I were to have teens here they get access to wireless, my cooking, snacks, foxtel etc so IMO $10-$15 is a good deal