Do you let your 11 and 10years old, bbsit younger siblings?

I wanted to go out for an hour or 2 to a shiur my husband also had to be out same time, but my 2 older kids didn't want to watch bcause their younger siblings could be hard to handle.. what do u think/ is it safe to leave 10-11 years old to bbsit for about 2 hours?

Executive Member Joined: Jan 16 2012 Posts: 446

I think 2 hrs is a long time to have an 10-11 yr old stay home by herself, let alone babysit for that long!

I meant an 11 years old boy and an 10 years old girl (brother-sister) watching their youger siblings together...

Executive Member Joined: May 25 2010 Posts: 325

If they arnt comfortable with it I wouldnt do it.

Gold Member Joined: Jan 12 2010 Posts: 2261 Location: US

I'd only do it if they were comfortable doing it, and the younger siblings aren't too difficult to handle. (of course also assuming they can contact you at any time by phone.)

edit: On second thought, it is really young to babysit, so I'm really not sure - maybe it depends on their maturity.

Depends on how many younger siblings, their behavior and if the older child(ren) are willing.

Doesnt sound good in your case.
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I did it with my 11yr old all the other kids were fast asleep, my neighbor new I was out. We had an emergency run to the ER on motzei Shabbat. B"H all is fine. My husband was at the Kotel for Aicha. But otherwise I am not sure I would do it.

Silver Member Joined: Jun 12 2011 Posts: 700

I think it very much depends on the maturity of the kids, how many kids they would be watching, and how difficult the "job" is. I personally was already babysitting for neighbors when I was 11! With my own son, however, I will only occasionally leave my almost 11 year old "babysitting" at my house for short times (under an hour), but only with one or two younger siblings -- not a full house -- and not a baby.

But in any case I would NEVER do it if the kid doesn't want to. I don't think it's fair to ask a child to take that level of responsibility if they are at all hesitant.

Silver Member Joined: Jun 12 2011 Posts: 700

duplicate post

Diamond Member Joined: Feb 28 2010 Posts: 4861

No, in general I would not. Then again, it does depend.....
Do the 10 and 11 year old get along very well, or do they often fight? IF the latter, then no, I would not leave them in charge together.
Will you be close by, and can come within 5-10 minutes?
How many children are you leaving them in charge of? If it's a 5 year old and a 6 year old, I would be more likely to say fine, sit them all in front of the tv if you have one so their chances of getting into trouble will be less.
If we're talking babies/toddlers (under 2) I wouldn't do it. Babies are so fragile, and so many things can potentially go wrong. I also wouldn't leave them with more than 2 kids to look after.

My kids usually didn't like to be left alone at that age at all, let alone babysitting. Usually around 12 they switched, and LOVED being alone - but 10/11 is young, especially if they don't want to do it. Once they are older (13 and up) I did sometimes leave my kids in charge even if they didn't want to, but never of babies or with siblings they didn't get along with.