KidsHappen Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 We have tickets to a midnight preformance at local theater. Childcare plans for the youngest two fell through. If it was day time I would be fine with leaving them alone for that period of time. If they were their older sisters, I would be fine with leaving them at night. Legally, I can leave them alone and for the most part I trust that they wouldn't purposely do anything wrong. I can trust that they would lock down the house and watch a movie but not absolutely positive that they could handle any emergency. We all have cell phones and we wouldn't be terribly far away. We have plenty of neighbors that they could go to if necessary. Do I take the chance and give them the opportunity to prove themselves responsible or are they still too young? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I would trust them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeaganS Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Most 12 and 15 year olds could stay home by themselves no problem, imo. Especially with neighbors nearby, I'd say, go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoforjoy Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I used to babysit other people's kids when I was 12. As long as you don't have any reason to assume they can't be trusted, I'd say go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 The 15 y/o is old enough to babysit. If you are in a good area, if you have a cell on vibrate, if there is a good neighbor to call on, then yes, lock the doors, tell them to stay put, and go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KS_ Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Well, I think it really depends on the kids, but I think I'd be OK leaving mine at that age. We've started leaving them alone during the day to run errands, and they've proven responsible. In 3 more years time, I think I'd be fine leaving them at night for a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I may not be remembering your own family specifics, but most 15 year old are mature enough not only to be left alone on a Friday night but to babysit much younger children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimmy Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I'd keep a cell phone on vibrate and go have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azmomx3 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I would trust them, but I understand your struggle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Sure, no problem unless there were special needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I'd keep a cell phone on vibrate and go have fun. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckens Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 but not absolutely positive that they could handle any emergency. Some days, I'm not absolutely positive that I could handle any emergency! :tongue_smilie: 1) In our state (Iowa) 12yo can stay home alone, and 13yo can babysit others. Are there state guidelines you can look to for reassurance? 2) Depends upon the teen. Some 10yo I would trust to be alone in the house after dark. Some 25yo I would NOT trust alone with my house (and kids) after dark. 3) Do you live in a "safe neighborhood"? I know that is a subjective question, and it is no absolute guarantee that nothing will happen, but it is something to consider. For example, we lock our doors every night, but if we forget, it's not a very big deal in our town. 4) Between now and the midnight performance, can you practice by going out to dinner at 10pm , or even out for some late shopping from 8-10pm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooketopia Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 When I was growing up, the rule was that 10 years old was OK to be home alone, even watching a younger sibling. 12 years old meant you could babysit outside of the home. 15 years old--you're almost ready for a license, so being by yourself was never an issue. They know how to dial 911, right? If so, you're golden. Odds are that they won't need emergency services. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Your 15 year old is old enough to babysit someone else's kid late into the night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I'm surprised that you are asking. I was babysitting other children at 12, too. At 15 I had a job that my mom drove me to. At sixteen I was driving myself to babysitting and other jobs. My sons were...13 and 7 when I had to leave them alone for a few hours on a Saturday late afternoon/evening back when I was a wedding photographer. The fire alarms went off. Let me tell you it's scary to get a call on your cell from one of the neighbors. My sons were fine, there was no fire. In their panic they couldn't seem to unlock the front door, so they went through a window and ran to the neighbor's home. She called the fire department and then me. There was no fire--probably a spider in the alarm--but the firemen reassured my sons, checked things out, and left. Yes, my sons can handle an emergency. I bet yours could to. I'd rent a fun movie for them. Offer to make or order pizza and let them have a bit of a party while you are gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Yes. At 12, I was babysitting past midnight. They'll be fine. :) Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celia Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 When I was 12 I was babysitting a 5yo,3yo and infant 3 days a week from after school until 10pm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted October 20, 2011 Author Share Posted October 20, 2011 That's what I thought! And that is why I asked which emergency she thought her daughters could not handle. Someone here told me I shouldn't let my almost 10 year old stay home for 20 minutes because what if someone breaks in. Yeah, what if someone breaks in and I'm here? What am "I" going to do? I told my son to hide or sneak out another door. That's the best I could do (I can't fight the person off). Well, the neighbor girl set her kitchen on fire when she was 15. She handled it well and there was minimal damage. One of my older dd's also had a stove fire, also handled well. Finally, the 15 year old set ramen noodles on fire in the microwave but granted that was at least 5 years ago. So I worry about that a bit. And then the 12 year old can barely walk across the room without falling, running into something, knocking something over or some such thing. We do live in a safe neighborhood and we have great neighbors but for some reason the middle of the night thing bothers me. I have no idea why. It's not like they have any friends that would even try to come over at that time of night if they knew parents weren't home and I know that they would just watch a movie or listen to music. They have enough sense to not tell anyone they are home alone or answer the door. They know to call 911. I think the problem just might be that they are the youngest and I think of them as the babies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginevra Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Well, the neighbor girl set her kitchen on fire when she was 15. She handled it well and there was minimal damage. One of my older dd's also had a stove fire, also handled well. Finally, the 15 year old set ramen noodles on fire in the microwave but granted that was at least 5 years ago. So I worry about that a bit. And then the 12 year old can barely walk across the room without falling, running into something, knocking something over or some such thing. We do live in a safe neighborhood and we have great neighbors but for some reason the middle of the night thing bothers me. I have no idea why. It's not like they have any friends that would even try to come over at that time of night if they knew parents weren't home and I know that they would just watch a movie or listen to music. They have enough sense to not tell anyone they are home alone or answer the door. They know to call 911. I think the problem just might be that they are the youngest and I think of them as the babies? Well, that would make more sense. But TBH, I was thinking from the other direction: you're an experienced mom, not a nervous, hand-wringing first-time mom. I'm totally surprised that you would even question it. :001_smile: And FWIW, I think the night time is better (even if it were an outside babysitter), because there is so little that needs to be done. I would definitely make a little party of it with pizza and a movie for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I know how you feel :) but I would let one neighbor know so they have a phone near by and be sure you have your phones on and go. My dd babysat and I was always home for questions but she never liked to stay at our house when we were out. Weird huh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in PA Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I used to babysit other people's kids when I was 12. As long as you don't have any reason to assume they can't be trusted, I'd say go for it. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I was babysitting at 10 or 11. If you are nervous about cooking....like someone said, order the. A pizza, and take them shoppung for their favorite ready to eat snacks. Let them watch a movie and keep your phone on vibrate. Are their older siblings around where they could call them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Girls' Mom Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Yes, I would. My 14 and 11 year olds spent nearly 24 hours at home alone recently (an emergency situation). Although it wasn't something I would have chosen to do, they did great. I would completely trust them for a few hours, no matter the time of day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela H in Texas Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Is it legal where you are? Yes, I think it is probably fine generally though the fact that you are asking suggests maybe I'm wrong or you are even more overprotective than overprotective moms. However, many times, there are laws regarding children being left alone past 10pm or 12am. I would make sure you wouldn't be breaking that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I'd be fine with it. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I'd be fine with it. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puma Mom Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Definitely. As long as you are reasonably sure they'd be willing to call someone if they had a problem. I babysat regularly at one house until 4 am when I was 14-15. Although I sure wouldn't let my 14yo get a ride home with the mom's date-of-the-night like I did! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 My 12yo babysat the littles so I say yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty in Pink Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Just tell them not to cook while you are gone. No stove or microwave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beccad777 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I would definitely leave them. That seems plenty old enough to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 The only time I would hire a sitter for teens is if we were going out of town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffeemama Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I would. Just curious, how old is the baby-sitter you typically use? Around here, once the kids hit 16, most are no longer interested in sitting... My sitters (when I can't get a sleepover at Nanny's) are 14 and 13. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wabi Sabi Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of hiring a babysitter for a typically developing 15 y/o! At that age I'd expect the teen to be capable of being nearly self-sufficient when it comes to basic tasks and certainly able to safely operate a stove/cook a simple meal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Yes. When my kids were 15, 13,11, and 5, we would leave them all home with pizza and a movie while DH and I went out - even sometimes staying out til 2-3am! Woohoo! Their only responsibility was to make sure the little one got fed and into pajamas. Actually, I am pretty sure we started them younger than that - the oldest was probably 12 the first time we left them all home by themselves at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I would not even think twice about it. :confused: 15 and 12 yo are plenty old enough to stay at home while you and dh are out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquinas Academy Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I'd have no problem with that. If cooking is an issue, just tell them not to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Teach them to handle whatever emergency you think they don't know how to handle. They are totally old enough unless there are disabilities or they fight and could hurt one another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higginszoo Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 My 12 and 13 year olds babysit other people's children. I wouldn't think twice about leaving them. Around here, it's difficult to find a sitter older than 15-16, having a 16 year old babysit a 15 year old would be pretty awkward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Grace Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I vote old enough. Plenty of safety nets, and you probably won't need them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.