13 is apparently to young to babysit

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Is 13 too young to babysit?

  • Yes, 13 year old children should not be allowed to babysit

    Votes: 4 21.1%

  • No, 13 years old is young enough to babysit.

    Votes: 1 5.3%

  • It depends on the maturity of the 13 year old.

    Votes: 13 68.4%

  • Only if they are at home with their parents, or parents live nearby.

    Votes: 2 10.5%
  • Total voters
    19
  • Poll closed .
V

violakat

Guest
The first link is the blurb about a woman arrest for allowing her 13 year old to babysit her younger siblings. The last two links are blogs.

New Canaan Debates Arrest of 4-Year-Old's Mom - New Canaan, CT Patch
Mother Arrested for Using 13-yr-old as Babysitter
You’re Guilty! She’s Guilty! We’re ALL Guilty! - Milford, CT Patch

What do you think: Is 13 to young to babysit? Would you allow a 13 year old to babysit your children?

I know I started babysitting when I was around 13. But, I lived right next door to the people I babysat for, so it was easy to get help if needed.
 
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Most 13 year-olds aren't mature enough to care for someone else's children in someone else's home.
 
hmmm so most students in grade 8 are not mature to take care of children for an hour or two? Maybe it's a difference of cultures or time. I see nothing wrong with 13 year old kids babysitting, but then it needs to be with some supervision, as in their home. The funny thing is, no one thinks of anything of a high school kid babysitting, and a 13 year is just one year away.

So if you think 13 year old kids are not responsible enough to babysit, what are they responsible enough to do?
 
Today when compared to yesteryear 13 yr. olds are way more immature (at least in the United States.
 
I think it depends on the maturity of the 13 year old, and the number of small kids they're looking after. If it's just one kid and she's responsible, that's no big deal.
 
It really depends on the kids and the age and needs of the kids being watched. 13 is still very young, but some 13 yr olds have what it takes. I came out of the womb a mother. I've been babysitting infants since I was 11. But I'll admit I was the exception. I babysat in bad conditions but I do it because if I hadn't these kids would have left in much more dangerous situations.
Kids in decent homes nowadays where they are not required to grow up too fast are likely not ready to watch a child at 13 yr old. I watched 2 6 mo olds, 2 6 yr olds, and a 2 yr old all at once and their mothers didn't how up until the next day. Your average young teen will not be able to handle that.
 
It definitely depends on the maturity, and how well they've been prepared to take on this type of responsibility. I started babysitting my own brother at 10 and other people's kids by 11, but I had observed and assisted my mom and other relatives in childcare since I was around 5.

I will say that a good majority of 13 year olds in modern western society are probably not responsible enough.
 
My friends 10 year old is mature enough to babysit, she is also her class president.
 
It totally depends on the situation. I was babysitting the next door neighbour's kids when I was 11. That said, I was a very responsible 11 year old and had one or both of my parents next door most of the time while I was babysitting. I think as far as the authorities would have been concerned even ''back then'' 11 would have been too young had my parents not been right next door. I maybe wouldn't leave young children with a 13 for an all day babysitting job, but a few hours shouldn't be an issue as long as they know how to contact you and call 911 if need be. Of course when you start getting into overnight child care I think the babysitter should be at LEAST 17 at a bare minimum.
 
I think it depends on the kids being babysat and if they respect the 13 year old and if the parent establish rules like NOT leaving the house.

I think an 10, 4 and 1 year old is too much for any 13 year old to be expected to watch. though I would think the 10 year old would help.

and personally I would not leave the house until the baby sitter got there.

I don't understand why she didn't take the kids to church with her?
 
Do you think in general the 13 yr. can monitor properly what comes through the media such as television/cable etc. to the little tykes?
 
??? disconnect the cable, put the tv on pbskids or have pre-approved movies they can show them

or remove all electronic and just have them read books or play boardgames or hide and seek, hula hoop, play in the backyard, etc.
 
crossnote said:
Do you think in general the 13 yr. can monitor properly what comes through the media such as television/cable etc. to the little tykes?
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If you have ground rules, then yes, I do, simply because a 13 will know that something is off limits. Also, many parents use parental guards on their tv. And if babysitting was only based upon TV monitoring, then a lot of adults should have their children taken from them, as some will take their children to see movies such as Nightmare on Elm Street. Age is does not always mean someone has common sense. Hopefully, as you grow older, you do become wiser, but not always.
 
violakat said:
If you have ground rules, then yes, I do, simply because a 13 will know that something is off limits. Also, many parents use parental guards on their tv. And if babysitting was only based upon TV monitoring, then a lot of adults should have their children taken from them, as some will take their children to see movies such as Nightmare on Elm Street. Age is does not always mean someone has common sense. Hopefully, as you grow older, you do become wiser, but not always.
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That's my point, today adults are barely mature enough to babysit let alone a 13yr. old.
 
crossnote said:
That's my point, today adults are barely mature enough to babysit let alone a 13yr. old.
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I don't think all that many adults are that immature. Yes, there are quite a few, but I still think there are more that have matured.
 
Ariel82 said:
??? disconnect the cable, put the tv on pbskids or have pre-approved movies they can show them

or remove all electronic and just have them read books or play boardgames or hide and seek, hula hoop, play in the backyard, etc.
Click to expand...

getting rid of TV/Movies would actually be good for the adults as well.
 
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