whast the youngest age you woudl let someone babaysit 3 kids under 7?

i just heard that a friend of a friend leaves his kids( well fiances kids) alone. The ages are 10 7 5and 3. The younger ones go to bedbefore teh parenst leave and the 10 year old is in charge if they wake up. Now its not lke they are going to the corner store they are going to another bourough out to dinner and a bar until 12-1230 at night. i am shocked and disgusted by this!

Message edited 11/26/2008 8:42:08 AM.

Re: whast the youngest age you woudl let someone babaysit 3 kids under 7?

Um, yeah, not a 10 year old

Re: whast the youngest age you woudl let someone babaysit 3 kids under 7?

wow! i started babysitting when i was 11... but the parents were never gone that long. it was maybe for 2 hours while they just went out to dinner or went shopping for a little bit. and most of the families only had 1 or 2 kids... so i wasn't in charge of 3 kids. lol that third one can push it over the edge sometimes LOL
also- with a sibling watching siblings i think theres more potential for fighting and " i don't have to listen to you!" type stuff, too!

Re: whast the youngest age you woudl let someone babaysit 3 kids under 7?

At least someone in HS! Probably about 15. I also babysat when I was younger, like 12/13, but it was for like 2 hours while the parents went to a church group.

Re: whast the youngest age you woudl let someone babaysit 3 kids under 7?

No way in hell would I let a 10 year old in charge.
MAYBE 13 if it was the older sibling. And not while I was out for the night.

Re: whast the youngest age you woudl let someone babaysit 3 kids under 7?

I'm bad, only a adult. ALWAYSSSSSSSS

Re: whast the youngest age you woudl let someone babaysit 3 kids under 7?

At least 18+

I am even sure you are allowed legally to leave kids 10 and under home alone.

Re: whast the youngest age you woudl let someone babaysit 3 kids under 7?

No way! At least 18 yrs. 10 is insane. Where do you have to be SO BADLY that you leave your 10 yr old in charge???? Sorry but it sounds very selfish. Either pony up for a babysitter or eat in.

Re: whast the youngest age you woudl let someone babaysit 3 kids under 7?

I started babysitting at 12 years old but it was a next door neighbor & my mom was down the street.

My 13 year old niece watched my 7 & 5 year old - and usually brings a friend who helps watch too. I don't know that I'd ever feel comfortable with letting a sibling watch another sibling & definitely not a 10 year old.

Re: whast the youngest age you woudl let someone babaysit 3 kids under 7?

a 10 yr old? NO WAY. not even for 5 minutes.

when i was 13, i babysat an 8 yr old, a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old. and that was with the father being downstairs in his medical office!

i would say that MAYBE at 13 or 14, i would let them babysit 3 under 7, but not if the youngest was less than 2 yrs old. and it also depends on the babysitter's level of maturity!

Message edited 11/26/2008 1:29:25 PM.

Re: whast the youngest age you woudl let someone babaysit 3 kids under 7?

I wouldn't leave my kids with anyone that I don't know and know WELL. The youngest person to babysit my boys was my niece - she was 14 and her 15 year old sister was there with her. They were armed with cell phones, the number of the restaurant where were were, the cell phone numbers of all members of our party, the next door neighbors number, my sister's telephone number and $100 for a cab if necessary.

And I STILL was a nervous wreck and couldn't wait to get home!

But.. I started babysitting at 10 years old. I babysat my neighbor's 2 year old daughter and they would take the boat over to Fire Island. I'd be there from like 7pm until midnight and later. Looking back on it I am kind of shocked that they allowed it and even more shocked that my parents were okay with it!!

Re: whast the youngest age you woudl let someone babaysit 3 kids under 7?

i started babysitting at 10, but it was 4 houses away from mine and my mom was always home. the girl was also around 4 or 5.
I left my DS & DD( 15 monhts and 8 years) home with a babysitter for the first time- she is 14, and her mom watches my son during the day, so she is familiar with my kids- AND her mom was home and available if need be.
DH was home by 11:30pm too, it wasnt a very late night. I was nervous, but it all worked out.
10 years old is a little young to me these days, even though i used to do it.