What do you think... 14/13 too young to babysit a newborn?

[1rockinmamato2]

I am agreeing with the others who state that a 14-year-old is too young to be responsible for a newborn/infant every day, all day.

Of course the safety, phone, and transportation are of the utmost importance here, but let's also not forget the nuturing that a newborn/infant needs. As a parent, you are not only responsible for choosing a responsible caretaker for your child, but one who will properly bond with your child. Because, as we all know, it is healthy for children to form bonds with their caretakers. And, personally, I do not think a 14-year-old has the instincts necessary to foster that.

Am I even making sense here? LOL!!! I hope so. Best of luck to you, OP!

 

[momrek06]

My assistant manager at work offered me up her 14 and 13 year old daughters to babysit next summer after baby is born (She knows I am a planner and have been trying to figure out what to do!) so that I could come back to work.

She says that they are old enough (I don't know, this is my first baby and I never babysat when I was that young) but I'm a bit hesitant-- a newborn? Left alone with a 14-13 year old?

Her points were that we would be easily reachable with one phone call (yet we'd both be about 30 minutes away in another state if something happened)
My DH would be a 10 minute drive away, but he's not always reachable. My mom would actually be 10 minutes away too, but calling her would probably be a last resort.

So what do you think... are they too young to watch a newborn by themselves? They're good girls, I just worry. I feel like if I'm going to tell her I don't want their help I need to do it now, not go all winter with her thinking they'll be babysitting and then say "Oh, no."

Sorry, Patsy...no way! PERIOD! JMHO!

 

[teacups]

There is one thing I have to add, even if only to laugh at myself.
I had a very good job, making lots of money, great benefits and the whole 9 yards... I checked into care centers, interviewed people and made my arrangements for the baby to go once I went back after my 6 weeks off. LOL!! I never went back to work!! NO WAY could I leave her!

9 year SAHM and luvin' it!

 

[Piecey]

Holy cow, you are just a kid yourself! I had my first kid at 33 and I was freaked out by it all, too. I was lucky to have friends and sisters who had more experience than I did. I have to say that now that my kids are six and eight we use a WONDERFUL 13 year old girl to watch them for a couple of hours every once in a while. A PP was right when she said that is a great age because the teens are still interested in the children, but I maintain that it is far too much responsibility for someone that young to watch a newborn. Good luck in your childcare search. It is one of the most important decisions you will make.

No kidding, my first thought when I got the + was "My parents are going to KILL ME!"
Then I realized I'm married, buying a house and I'm in my 20's. Seriously, when did that happen? I had a moment where I regressed back to 16 there.
My only sibling is in Orlando.. I wish I had a sister handy!

I'm thinking all these very valid points are very valid reasons to be a SAHM (er well mom/student!)
My MIL was a SAHM, so it shouldn't be too hard to convince DH..

 

[TomLovesBecky]

I babysat a newborn when I was 14. However, there is no way I'd ever let a kid that age babysit one of MY newborns. I just wouldn't feel comfortable.

 

[lillybug]

They're too young, imo.

Looking back at how overwhelmed I was with my first child as a newborn, I can't imagine a 13-14 year old having that kind of patience or responsibility. That's a risk I wouldn't be willing to make with my babies.


Good luck with your decision!

 

[PaulaSue]

OP, 13/14 is too young for a newborn, IMO especially without an adult also in the home. 30 minute drive away is a no go too IMO If their was a problem she couldn't even drive the baby to the doctor/hospital.

 

[DVCLiz]

Childcare issues are certainly one of the factors people use when they decide whether to continue work or be a SAHM. On this thread, though, that's not what is being discussed. It is the level of experience and maturity of a particular sitter.

There are many women who find excellent childcare - in centers or in homes - and depend on it to make their choice work for their family. And in those cases child care providers -again, from in home nannies to large centers - have staff who are (or should be!) well trained with easy access to medical help, easy access to telephones in order to contact parents, and easy access to transportation in case it is necessary to transport a child for an emergency.

I just don't want it to sound like I am anti child care because I stated your choice wouldn't be acceptable to me. I used many varieties of child care when I worked full time and they all enriched my children's lives and were valuable partners in my parenting experience.

But none of them were 13 years old.

 

[Disneychix]

I don't think the transportation part is an issue b/c the first thing ANY caretaker should do is call 911 in an emergency. You don't want someone driving the baby around looking for help.

You should def. consider getting even just a basic land-line in your house if only for when your cell phones may be out of battery or the power goes out. How will you be able to call for help?

 

[Piecey]

You should def. consider getting even just a basic land-line in your house if only for when your cell phones may be out of battery or the power goes out. How will you be able to call for help?

Not to be argumentative, but we don't want a landline. We want to turn it off and go on with OUR lives.

If the power goes out and the phone dies (all very possible) we'll walk to our vehicle and plug it into the car and make the call.

 

[chisnpeke]

No. It would be different if it was for a couple of hours when you went out to dinner every once in a while, but never on a daily basis.

 

[freckles and boo]

Not to be argumentative, but we don't want a landline. We want to turn it off and go on with OUR lives.

If the power goes out and the phone dies (all very possible) we'll walk to our vehicle and plug it into the car and make the call.

I am sure you don't even need an account to plug a phone into the walljack and dial 911. If you still have a phone you can plug in, give it a try. Well, don't actually call 911 but see if you have a dial tone.

 

[Piecey]

I am sure you don't even need an account to plug a phone into the walljack and dial 911. If you still have a phone you can plug in, give it a try. Well, don't actually call 911 but see if you have a dial tone.

Actually, I think you're right.
Our city has a 911 fee included in our fire, police and trash so I would bet that it definitely would work.

Someone told me it's required for all cell phones, with a contract or not, to dial 911 so I always keep an old one in my car with the previous car charger just in case I don't have a new one and something happens while I'm out!

 

[Chereya]

OP, just wanted to say congrats on your first pregnancy. I am a little further along in my 3rd pregnancy. Once you hold that tiny little baby in your arms and experience what caring for him/her is like over the course of a few weeks, you'll KNOW whether you'd entrust his/her care to another person. Let alone young teens with no newborn experience.

I was 28 when I had my first and I think no matter how old you are, taking care of a newborn baby is always scary at first! I remember being in the hospital and asking the nurse to change the baby's diaper for the first time because I was just too nervous to do it myself and I wanted to watch someone experienced do it on my child as it's not the same as practice on a doll, KWIM?

Best of luck with all of your planning and research and I hope you have a healthy pregnancy and baby!

 

[lil mermaid]

Another vote for NO WAY. They are too young. For a million and one reasons.

They are, however, the perfect age for "mother's helper" type stuff.