One of my sponsors, JuiceBoxJungle, wants to know what we think is the right age for a child to babysit. Does it depend on the age of the child? State law? The child’s level of responsibility? It’s certainly an interesting question!
Before I answer the question myself, I thought I would check to see what, if any, laws there are here in Michigan about babysitters. I found a blog written by Jeanne M. Hannah, a Family Lawyer in Traverse City that addresses this issue. Ms. Hannah says that while there is no specific law related to babysitting, “Michigan child support orders provide for child care reimbursements up the a child’s 12th birthday. While I could not find any law on point, this seems to be the age at which the courts deem a child old enough to stay home alone.”
Whether or not a child is really ready to be left alone at age 12 is totally dependent on the maturity level of the child. My oldest son was responsible enough that I could have left him home alone for short periods of time when he was about nine. To be honest, when Chris was traveling on business for a year and a half, there were times when I just wanted to run up to the store for milk BY MYSELF, and I would leave the boys watching TV, with instructions to not answer the door or the phone, make sure all the deadbolts were locked, and run up to the store. At age 10, Ryan was an extremely responsible kid, although I wouldn’t call what he was doing “babysitting”, really.
We didn’t start asking Ryan to officially babysit his siblings during the day until he was 12, and he only started babysitting at night after he turned 13. What I consider babysitting is when Chris and I want to be gone for a couple of hours, like when we went shopping for Easter stuff, and Ryan is in charge of Nathan and Kaitlyn. Heck, if he was asked to babysit a younger kid in the neighborhood and wanted to do it, I would totally let him.
Ultimately, I think it’s up to the individual parent to decide when their kids are old enough to babysit younger siblings. The child left in charge needs to know how to call 911, what do do if they smell smoke, what to do if someone gets cut and is bleeding, what to do if someone knocks on the door that they don’t know. Sometimes Fire Departments have laminated cards that show basic first aid and a place to write in emergency phone numbers that you can post by the phone, or you can make your own. And, it’s important to ASK the older child if they feel ready to be left in charge. We can’t just assume that our oldest children are our built-in babysitters! Although it certainly is convenient 
So what about you, dear reader? Do you have a child that babysits either younger siblings or for other families? How old were they when they started? Any thoughts you want to share? Leave a comment!
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Twitter: debmomof3
says:
We let our neighbor’s daughter babysit at age 11, but only when one of her parents was home, just in case. Now at age 13, we’re ok with her sitting anytime, even at night. She’s extremely responsible too. Her younger sister just turned 11 last week and we’re ok with her babysitting too, with the same restriction her sister had.
Abby’s 9 now – I’m thinking at least a couple more years before I’ll be ok with leaving her to watch her sisters.
.-= Deb – Mom of 3 Girls´s last blog ..She’s halfway to 18?? (13 things about Abby at 9 years old) =-.
Twitter: TheEchoes
says:
Munchkin being almost four, definitely not being left alone, and we really don’t know anyone with kids old enough to be let babysit. So, we usually leave him with my sister who rents our garage or with my Mum who lives round the corner.
I was left alone for half hour to two hours from the age of ten or so when we were in England. I suppose I fell into the category of ‘mature enough’, then there’s also the fact that we grew up in one of those fabled tiny little villages where everyone knows everyone and it’s all ‘safe’. I was walking to school by myself from around seven, I think.
I remember the first time I was left alone for any length of time I was SO disappointed that no strangers came to the door for me to ignore.
.-= Faith´s last blog ..Cook Outs =-.
Twitter: lovemy2doggies
says:
My daughter started babysitting when she was 12. Our hospital has a program called Safe Sitter which really teaches the kids a lot. I recommend that every child that is going to babysit take a class like this.
.-= Tammy @ LoveMy2Dogs´s last blog ..Thursday’s Things To Think About #2 =-.
I started babysitting my neighbor’s kids by myself when I was 13. I think having siblings helped, because even though we fought I still learned the responsibilities of dealing with those younger than myself. $3 an hour was a lot at the time.
It depends a lot on the maturity of the child that leaving him alone or with a younger sibling would be safe.
.-= Myhammer´s last blog ..sky box installation in IG8 7JT woodford green | Start Price £75, 1 quotes (Niedrigstgebot: £50) =-.
I agree with ‘Myhammer’, it depends on the individual kid, my nine year old is much more responsible and mature than my thirteen year old.But I guess parents would know best about each kids maturity level..if you don’t feel comfortable with child babysitting then trust your instincts.
.-= Joan Postalgold´s last blog ..Pirate From Postalgold Advert =-.
Twitter: BabyShowerGuide
says:
I started babysitting when I was 12. I think that’s a little to young. I’ve had babysitters as young as 14 and I think that is to young as well. My idea babysitter would be Grandma!
Barbara
http://www.OfficialBabyShowerGuide.com
.-= Barbara´s last blog ..New Free Baby Shower Printables =-.
I remember my parents has to leave us for work during Saturdays and I get in charge of my two sisters. I was 12 back then and my sisters are 7 & 8. Sometimes we were left with our grandma but most of the time we’re alone. We’ve had no problems then and we didn’t burn the house during those times.