in January 2022 Babies 🇬🇧

Older siblings babysitting!

So, I have an 11 year old (almost 12), and I was talking to a friend about how my husband and I are thinking about paying a professional babysitter so we can have some couple time. She said well, why not put the 3 year old to bed and leave your 11 year old on the sofa to keep an ear out and ring you if she wakes up. I'm really not sure if this is acceptable? I'm not really sure of which age is deemed acceptable? I, of course, would never leave my 11 year to look after my 3 year old in the day. What does everyone else think? Is it okay once in a while, or should I give it another year? Just a side note, my 11 years is very sensible, and level headed. Not sure if that's even relevant. Thanks

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Personally, absolutely not. If something happened they probably wouldn’t know what to do and it’s not fair to leave that responsibility on them. I used to be a nanny and I would only use an adult

@Georgia yeah, I think when my kids and 13 and 5 it could be okay then.

I was sensible.. I had a sister 14 years younger than me. It was expected I babysit whenever they wanted even if I had plans. Even though I was level headed and responsible.. looking back I had no idea what to do if she choked etc. if something happened I would have never forgiven myself but it wasn't fair I had that great responsibility when I was a child myself. Teenagers still make mistakes too. Looking after a baby/young child is not for another child to do in my opinion.

I personally think it's too much responsibility and isn't fair on your eldest x

times are so different now, growing up if i had to stay off school for illness or something my mum would just leave me and go to work, couldn’t imagine doing that with my own- i was about 8/9 so knew not to set fires and keep the curtains closed😂 i think hiring a babysitter will just keep everyone at ease, it’s not fair on your child to expect them to look after their sibling for you to go out, if they were older or if you were just nipping out for a few mins then fair but i think hiring a babysitter will be best for everyone