My daughter is 12 years old too young to get on someone's payroll. But she wants to make money over the summer for school. I have a 4 year old who will also be out of school this summer and need t have someone watch him. I can put him in days care for 3 months for about 100-175 per week (I'm a singe mother that is hard on my pockets) but will do what I have to do. My daughter told me that she would watch my son for me and that I can pay her what I like, she wants to earn money to get things that she wnats for back to school. So I thought about it and figured that I could let her watch him and pay her 50 per week that would give her a few hundred to have to go shopping with for back to school.

But my question (sorry for taking so long to get to it) where do I go to find out what is the legal age that she can baby-sit? I in WDC

By Vicki on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 08:40 am:

Most information I was able to find didn't really give a clear number as an answer to this question.

I did read however that you should take the childs maturity level and go from there. There is no magic number. However, if an emergency arises and the authorities don't feel that the child you had in charge was able to handle the situation properly, you could be charged with child endangerment.

In my area, the Red Cross offers babysitting classes. I would suggest that you look into that for your area as well. That will give your dd very good and basic information on babysitting, CPR, first aid and more. I also think that if a emergency did come up, it would show that you took it seriously and made sure she has proper education etc.

By Conni on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 09:04 am:

My son took the red cross babysitting class at age 11yrs, i think. Wow, he'll be 16yrs old next month. sniff!!

If she is responsible and you set up rules/instructions for her to follow...I think it's a great opportunity for her and her little brother. Is he easy to care for? I had 2 boys that were easy and one that was like ummmmm as my friend put it " a monkey on crack" ...hahahaha Couldn't take your eyes off that boy for, literally, ONE second or your house might fall down. Ugh!! In that case I would send him to daycare and not stress my daughter out. LOL But, not many people have a son like mine. Or the whole world would be on Prozac.

LOL

By Trina~moderator on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 09:18 am:

Before having your DD watch your younger child FT over the summer, I would check the laws in your state. Although at 12, she may be old enough to legally stay home alone by herself, but might not considered old enough to care for younger siblings.
Ditto Vicki. You could be charged with child endangerment if the authorities don't think there was adequate supervision.

By Karen~admin on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 09:18 am:

Ditto the Red Cross babysitting course - they get certified in CPR, and when/if she decides to pursue other babysitting jobs, that will definitely be a plus.

By Trina~moderator on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 09:22 am:

Sorry, just reread your post. You're asking WHERE to find out about the laws. LOL! There might be something at SafeKids.org, but I'm not sure. I'll see what I can find. You could also call your local police department.

By Amecmom on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 09:25 am:

I know in New York there is no legal age - I remember checking that out not too long ago. You could call your local district attorney's office or your local sherrif's dept.. Ditto on the Red Cross course.
Ame

By Trina~moderator on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 09:34 am:

Leaving Children Home Alone

Children Home Alone

By Dandjmom on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 11:17 am:

Thanks Trina, I took a look at those links and it sdirected me to my states SSD so i'm going to go there.

Conni, he is easy to care for if you dont' mind every half housr he wnats to eat, mostly peanut butter and jelly, I always make sure that there is stuff inthe hsoeu for them adn they have there own shelf so it's easy to access. All he will wnat to do is paly the video fgame adn looks at sponge bob.

He stays up late wth me when there is no school so that he doenst' get up that next morign until after 10 they have there breaskfast and play for a while , then 12pm it's nape tiem adnhe usually sleeps until 3pm, sometimes later. but i'm home at 4:30. I live in a secured building, my daughter knows the rules of the hose and the phone. she doesnt' answer unless seh knows the number, no pay phone, dont' open the door leave out the hosue unless there is an emergency that you must leave the building.

I'm gong to see if red cross in this area offers any of thsoe classes. I'm still going to check and make sure there istn' or if there there what is the legal age that he can stay alone and watch anothre child.

By Dandjmom on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 11:18 am:

Sorry that one got away from me.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 11:22 am:

I started babysitting when I was 12, although it was usually just for a few hours, so people could have an evening out.

By Kym on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 11:44 am:

Here's my two cents.
In Arizona, the "law" is 11 years old to stay at home during the day and 16 for overnights. so there wouldn't be a "legal" problem.
Have your daughter get certified with the red cross, find a babysitting course in your area, these are usually at a community center and free. This is great because it teaches them to be professional and alert while sitting. My 11 year old son is fully capable,mature, helpful knows the rules etc, but he would turn the TV on and space out.NOT good babysitting material
I would also only hire her part time, and put him day care somewhere. I say this because in our home, we have had our oldest watch our three younger from time to time, but if it's too much, it changes their relationships. Part time would allow her to "grow" into a sitter for you and others, and still allow her to be a kid and a big sister.

I do think 12 is plenty old enough to sit, especially in a single parent home (as I grew up in) you tend to be a bit more mature and understand responsibility at a different level. My 14 year old had been babysitting for us and and others since 11, but don't think even she would be ready for full time.

By Marcia on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 11:47 am:

My girls took the babysitting course at 10.5. My 15 year old has been babysitting since she was about 11, and everyone loves her. My 13 year old has stayed at home with her younger sibs, but not for anyone else yet. She's not as confident with smaller kids as her older sister, but she does have enough common sense to be left alone. It's just not her thing right now.
I would start off by leaving her at home with him while you do some short errands, and then start extending the time. If she does ok, it sounds like it will be a great thing for all of you.

By Kate on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 03:49 pm:

So is your daughter staying home alone all day regardless of where your son stays? When I was thirteen I took a summer babysitting job with visions of dollar signs dancing in my head. I lasted a week and then quit. It was HORRIBLE. I was WAY too young for five full time days a week of childcare. I was in over my head and I was really upset at not getting to have any FUN all day long. And I absolutely could not handle the kids and I didn't LIKE them after a few hours the first day (I had previously sat for them several times for evenings out and LOVED them...but not anymore!!!!!). I would think your kids' relationship could easily sour. I would make sure your daughter is fully aware of the reality of it all....

By Crystal915 on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 04:26 pm:

I was babysitting other people's children at 11, so if you think she will be responsible enough, you shouldn't have any issue. If she starts to burn out, maybe she could co-sit with a friend, which will keep her from feeling too tied down? So, your original question, I would call CPS and ask them. Who better to know the laws for children staying alone and babysitting than Children's Services? Good luck, let us know how things are going!

By Dandjmom on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 08:12 am:

Kate she is aware. and actually she woudl be in the house wtih him , but she will not have to deal wtih him all day. I would be leaving the hosue later then usual for work wtih school being closed, he is still sleep when I leave she is usually awake, when he wakes usually between 9-10 she feeds him breakfast ( cereal, oatmeal, oj, microwave breakfast) thsi us usually. He knwos that he still khas to take his nao just as if he was at school so 12 he is down for his nap adn usually sleeps until 3pm. I get home at 4:30 exactly.
His father drives schools buses and usually his summer hourds are shoerter then the winter hours, so he my arrive home a lot of days during the 1 o'clock hour and they will not be alone.
If she does not watch my son she will probaly go to summer school( just ot have something to do) she does nto have to go , she is a a student on the honor roll. Or wait until I arrive home to go to the pool on our property.
She has sat with him boefre while I went to the laundromat, grocery shopping or other local errands. So she knows what it intails