Comments on: Littlemummy Discusses Babysitting

By: Alasdair

Alasdair — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 08:58:34 +0000

I don’t think age is really that big an issue.

I wouldn’t leave with my kids with anyone who I thought to be irresponsible or just incapable of recognising the needs of my children. This precludes that anyone under the age of say 18 would be allowed to look after the weins and anyone over that age would require vetting.

Example, I wouldn’t let anyone anyone babysit the baby as she can’t speak and therefore express what she wants effectively with anyone who isn’t intimate with her vocalisation or general behaviour (sheesh, there are times I struggle!).

I won’t allow my own mother to babysit, mostly though that’s because I don’t think her husband is as good with bairns as some would like to have us believe.

I would allow the mrs’ parents to babysit because they are very good with the kids. I think they share a similar mentality

My point is that I think that drawing a line at a particular age is fairly arbitrary when it comes to defining how responsible someone will be as a babysitter.

By: Little Mummy

Little Mummy — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 15:19:00 +0000

I’m the same, I’ve only left Erin with family so far.

By: t-bird

t-bird — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 15:13:21 +0000

i think it depends very much on the teenager in question. One of my Rainbows Junior helpers who is 12 would be more than capable of toddler wrangling, in fact I suspect she’s better at it than I ever was. However, I know a lot of much older girls (and a few adults!) who I wouldn’t entrust the guinea pigs to let alone a toddler.

I know legally it’s a grey area however I also know that if anything happens then hte parent is liable if it could be considered that they were negligent in who they left their child with.

To be honest I’m probably over-careful, I very rarely leave Aprilia with anyone unless it’s a close friend.