Parents of Toddlers & Teens/Preteens - Page 2

[PikkuMyy]

I don't have siblings but grew up in a religious community where I was asked to care for other kids (and I wanted to) starting around 9 (with adults around). I think I began formally babysitting around 12 and started getting paid at 13 and kept it up until 24. I was very responsible and IMNSHO a d*mn good one even at 10. But all children are different as other posters have mentioned. When I have children, I'll have to gauge based upon their maturity in other matters and on how I see them interacting around the house (keeping in mind the example of the older boy getting "bored" with the younger one and leaving him alone).

Emily

[Alkenny]

When I was 10, I was babysitting a family of 4 kids (infant up to 6 years old).

My daughter will be 11 in a couple of weeks and the baby is almost 4 months, but there is no way I'd leave her alone with him. She's just not emotionally mature enough. I think I'd trust my 8 year old with him more than her (NOT that I'd leave him with him niether, as he's too young...he just acts more mature than she does if that makes sense.)