Babysitting

[monster]

Mother in UK cautioned for leaving toddler with 14yo

Obviously each toddler and each teenager is different, but what would never be ok and how much should the state intervene?

And should there be a different guideline for siblings as opposed to unrelated babysitter?

How old were you when you first babysat if ever? Did/Do you leave your kids with teenagers and if so, how old the teenager and how old their charges?

What about being home alone?

I've always taken 13 as "the age" , simply because that's "what it was" when I was young. When you turned 13 you could start babysitting for money. But I never did and I was never babysat by a 13yo as far as I can recall, and we never employ babysitters. But I will leave my 13yo home alone for brief periods in the day if she's happy to be left. Occasionally the 11yo too. Never the 9yo (and he probably still won't be OK to be left by the time he's 13) They are responsible for themselves, but I always make it clear that if there's an emergency, the 13yo is the one I expect to call me or 911 or go next door for help unless she is prevented from doing so by the emergency, then it becomes the 11yo's responsibility. I don't think I'd leave the 13yo in charge of a toddler, although she's very competant. She is a mother's helper for a toddler, but the mother stays nearby. And if she wanted to go out, I'd be nearby