What age do you think teenagers should be left alone as sitters with your child?

i just read a question from a girl that is watching her baby brother, that is one and a half. there were all sorts of problems and it got me thinking, what is the proper age for a sitter? I mean, don't you feel that some ppl leave their children with kids that are too young? it's scary...What age do you think teenagers should be left alone as sitters with your child?
for a child under 3 16 and for a child over 3 14What age do you think teenagers should be left alone as sitters with your child?
like 16 im 16 and i sit only now
if the child being watched is under the age of 3 the sitter should be 16 or older.


if the child being watched is over the age of like 3 or 4 with no behavioral problems like ADD or autism or anything...than the sitter could be 14 and up.
i would say 16 17
I went to a babysitting training class in which I was trained to react in all sorts of situations and I know how to do the Heimlich and Life Resucitation on all ages. I was only 12 when I started babysitting. My clients were all over 3then. But now I watch 6weeks and older and I am 14.
i woud say around 15
I think the age really depends on the individual kid. Legally in our state its 12 but I know 12 year olds who i wouldn't trust to watch themselves! I think all to often people jump the gun and leave irresponsible children alone home and in charge of others. Although I do know some girls who were very responsible at the age 12 or 13 and made great sitters. I guess you just have to really know your children and how they would do!!
An adult is needed to watch a 1 1/2 year old. Babies are delicate, and can have a life threatening emergency in the blink of an eye.





I am more comfortable with ages 5 and up. At that age, they have at least a little sense, and the physical ability to snatch themselves out of hot water, literally. Things can still go wrong, but at that age, they help a little bit in taking care of themselves. Also, it depends on the child. There are some demon young gentlement that need a full adult to watch them every minute.
18. I watched my younger siblings at 13, but that is alot of a child. I did it because I had to.
I think it depends on how old the child that's being babysat is as well.


For a child younger than 2, 16 and up. There's no way I would trust someone younger than that with an infant or young toddler.


A child between 3-5 then I would say around 13 or 14.


Older than that, a 6 year old can pretty well take care of themselves to a basic point, so long as someone is around to make sure they don't crawl in the oven. An 11 year old could handle that for certain.


I don't think it should just depend on their age though. I babysat newborns when I was 12 years old.


The whole thing depends on how responsible the teen/adolescent is, how mature they are and how good they are with children.


I wouldn't leave an infant with a 12 year old, but a 15 or 16 year old, probably be okay for short periods of time. My son is 6 months old and his sitter (everyday, 8 hours a day) is 21. And I trust her more than I trust my own mom to watch my son.


Some people are too trusting with their kids. But a 14 year old can handle a 3 year old for a couple of hours easily, a 12 year old can keep a 6 year old in line. But under 3, gotta be almost an adult at least.
I think 14 is a good age. You really start to understand things and have a good footing at that age. In an emergency you are able to keep your witts about you and do what is necessary.
below 3 then the sitter should be at least 15


above 3 then 13 if the sitter is mature
13,14 and up
I started staying alone with one of my sisters when I was 13. Depends on the kid.
Age should not be the only consideration for babysitting. How responsible is the teenager should be of paramount consideration. In general, I believe the teenager should be at least seventeen years of age.