How to Know When Your Child is Old Enough to Babysit

Deciding when your child is old enough to babysit varies from child to child. Many states actually have laws that designate how old a child has to be to babysit for other people, however most states allow you to choose when your child is old enough to stay home and babysit their siblings. No matter which situation applies to you, here are some tips for deciding when your child is old enough to babysit.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Investigate the law. If you are going to allow your child to babysit for another family, make sure that your child is legally old enough to hold that responsibility. Although your child may be perfectly capable of babysitting, to protect your child, make sure the law in on your side.
2. Decide if your child is mature enough to handle the responsibility of another person. Although your child may be old enough to babysit, really ask yourself if they are capable of putting another person’s well-being in front of their own.
3. Ask yourself if your child can follow rules. Your child will have to follow house rules, including potentially dangerous rules like diet and allergy restrictions, giving the correct dosage of medicines, and knowing what to do in case of emergency.
4. Ask yourself if your child is good in emergency situations. If the child they were watching was bleeding would they be capable of handling the situation? If there was a fire could they calmly get the children outside and call 911? Your child must be mature in emergency situations. Make sure your child knows basic first aid.
5. Ask yourself if your child is absent minded or easily distracted. Before you allow your child to babysit make sure they understand exactly how important their utmost attention is. If you find your child gets easily distracted by the television or gets sucked into a book, instruct them not to do these activities while babysitting.
6. Ask yourself if your child is patient. A crying baby or misbehaving two year old can be stressful, even for adults. If your child tends to lash out, they may be too young to babysit. Frustration is one of the largest causes of abuse in young children.
7. Decide if your child makes logical adult choices. When in charge, your child assumes adult responsibilities. They should be able to use common sense to make good decision in regards to the children’s well being.

Tips & Warnings

• Check state law to see when your child can legally babysit.
• Make sure your child knows first aid.