When Your Young Teen is the Babysitter

By Mimi Slawoff

I knew what I expected from a babysitter when my children were little. But now that my oldest child is a babysitter herself – and only 14 years old – I see babysitting from another angle. While she’s focused on caring for the children she’s being paid to baby-sit, I’m also thinking about my daughter’s safety and well-being while she’s in charge.

Will her safety be compromised in any way by older siblings and adults in the family she’s babysitting for? What if someone knocks on the door and won’t go away? Will she know what to do in case of an emergency? Of course, it’s because she’s mature and responsible that my husband and I allow her to baby-sit in the first place.

For many preteens and young teens, baby-sitting is a rite of passage – as well as an excellent way to earn money. Handled right, it can be a rewarding experience. It’s a good opportunity for teens to learn to deal with adults other than their parents and teachers and a chance to learn business basics.

While it’s important to allow our children to learn from this experience, there are precautions that we, as parents, need to take to ensure that our children are safe.

Before you and your young teen even talk about baby-sitting jobs, determine whether your child is mature and responsible enough to care for both herself and other children.

Babysitting Readiness

You can best gauge how responsible your child is by how accountable she or he is at home, says Marilyn Heins, M.D., and author of ParenTips for Effective, Enjoyable Parenting.

Look for how well he or she follows directions, does things without being reminded and demonstrates safety rules, says Heins. “You have to know a child can be trusted to take care of herself.”