What’s your input on two 14 year olds babysitting a 10 month old and 2 year old for 11 hours? I read about a lady leaving her 14 year old in charge of her smaller siblings and she was arrested after one of the neighbors called police cause the 4 year old got out…I used to babysit my sister and cousin when our parents went out half the night. I was only 12. I was contemplating having my 14 year old niece and her friend babysit during the summer, as last resort, but curious what others think. They are responsible. They babysit her cousins from time to time (age 3&4).
i had my daughter at 15. no one arrested me for looking after her 
. i think it depends on maturity aswell.
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I was 13 when I started babysitting 6 kids at once. 4 in diapers lol
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Why not. As long as they are mature enough and you trust them, I say go for it!
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I started babysitting for other people at age 8. Check your state laws.
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My 10 year old babysits my 6 and 4 year old for short times. I started babysitting my infant brother when I was 10 and was babysitting regularly all over town by age 11. I would most definitely trust 14 year olds if you think they are mature enough. Age isn’t the issue, maturity is.
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As long as the girls are responsible, they know how to use the phone and have access to food and water. Then there shouldn’t be an issue.
I think the issue was that the 4 year old was outside unattended so there may have been a responsibility issue in that case.
Look up the laws where you live.
11 hours, NO! That’s way too long for any child to babysit, my goodness!!! Why bother having children if you’re making children watch them 11 hours a day!?!? Smh
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I think that’s fine aslong as they are responsible!
All depending on how mature they are. I was 14 watching 7 kids under 6 n for hours at a time sometimes over night and everything was great al the kids were fed and bathed and safe
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I personally wouldn’t with the kids being so young incase anything happened regardless of maturity😊
My 14 year old baby sits my 3 year old when needed… I trust her do it more than my 17 year old😂 She will actually be attentive.
Personally that’s a lot of hours for a 14 year old, and such young kids they’re babysitting, IMO. But I get a mom’s gotta do what a mom’s gotta do! If you think they can handle it, try it out. Lay down all the rules etc , keep your phone close by in case they call and check in every couple hours yourself.
Better check state laws and be sure the youths don’t have any disabilities…A mother was arrested for neglect and child endangerment when she had her 14 year old who has ADHD watch her siblings while mother worked a double…The 2 year old sibling got out of the house and went to play with a neighbors child…the neighbor called the cops when she had to leave with her child to run an errand…
Depends on maturity of the one baby sitting
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If you trust them and they have access to everything they will need and you cover the ground rules then you should be fine. You can always leave a note that you give them permission to watch your children from this time to this time just in case. 14 year old girls most of the time are pretty mature
I was 11 and watched 3 younger siblings
I tink it depends on the maturity of the babysitter to be honest. I have a 11yr old that would be perfectly capable of sitting 
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Maybe for a shorter amount of time. 11 hours is a bit much.
Not for 11 hours no way!
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I started babysitting when I was 11 lol I kept my lil cousins good, I knew how to make bottles and make their daily cereal and my aunt left a number and food that was easy to cook. As long as I didn’t burn the house down, she trusted me
In our stated there is no real set legal age but 10 to 12 is common. My daughter started at 12.
I think it’s appropriate since they have eachother for back up. I would take a day to run down possible emergency situations… I can’t imagine what would happen if the little babes were to choke on food or something that might cause panic 
Fine as long as they are responsible
I babysat my younger sister at that age during the summer while my parents worked. My moms job was also less than a mile from our house.
I now have 2 boys of my own and if we have a sitter I always make sure they are old enough to drive for safety reasons. (We live 20 mins from the nearest town) if an emergency happened, I wouldn’t have time to get to my kids and then back where they needed to get help quick enough!
I’m saying that, I definitely think each parent should use their own judgment! If you feel your babies are safe, then go for it!
It all depends on maturity of said child.
My 14yr old I would let watch my 1yr old but only for short periods. However my 13yr old, I wouldn’t trust him in a yrs time unless he matured a hell of a lot… I think 14 would be the youngest I would allow baby sit my 1/7 or 9yr olds
I was babysitting several nights a week for infants and small children when I was 14. It totally depends on the 14 year olds and how responsible they are.
I was 12 or 13 babysitting 6 kids ranging from 6months to 11 I babysat them probably 4-5 hours at a time sometimes longer. I think it depends on the maturity I would not let my 15 yr old watch my 10 yr old longer then 30 mins.
11 hours is too long. For a short amount of time would be okay
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11 hrs?! No way!!! Then again I wouldn’t ever let a 11 year old watch my kids. Family or friend I still wouldn’t do it
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The babies are too young imo to leave with a 14 year old for that long.
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I used to babysit for neighbors when I was 10/11. And then my 3 younger siblings when I got older.
I was freshly 12 when I started babysitting. And legit would have like 5+ kids at a time:rofl:
Don’t ask random people if they think it’s okay. Look up the laws in your area and make sure it’s even legal.
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I babysat at 12 very responsibly. I have an almost 15 year old and I wouldn’t trust him for that long. I think it def depends on the teenager.
It truly just depends on them personally. I know some 14 yr olds I’d be kind of okay babysitting toddler and other 14 yr olds I would not trust.
Depends on how mature they r
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I was babysitting 3 kids from toddler to 6 when I was 12 & I was on top of every little thing they did the entire time. It depends on the person & laws in your state
Umm no lol maybe if both kids being watched were a little older but def not a 10month old!!! And def not 11 hrs! That’s insane
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I used to babysit at 13. Tbh I think 11 hours is a long time though.
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14 I’d say they can handle it, I’d just be concerned about it being such a long stretch of time. Would they have to cook? Have an adult they could go to for back up
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I don’t see a problem with it as long as they are mature enough 
I say yes ring doorbell or cameras outside of home for peace of mind. If you trust them I don’t see a problem and you can check in every couple hours
My 14 year old looks after my 8 year old an soon to be 2 year old for a couple of hours I normally cook tea beofre I leave an there always someone around incase she needs back up
I was baby sitting at 10
My 13 yo babysits for me. Her siblings are 12 and will be 8 (14th)
Look up your laws in your state. But it also depends on the 14 years old maturity level and how they do under stress because a baby/toddler is stressful. Yes they’re fun but at the end of the day toddlers and babies are high maintenance. So in my opinion it depends on their maturity and handling of stress. But I would put nanny cameras up to monitor just to be sure honestly.
Get them cpr certified and first aid and look up your laws
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If you know the 14 yr olds. And you know for sure they can handle an emergency. A would be nervous with a 14 yr old watching 2 kids that young.
Depends on local laws. Oregon says a child can be alone if they can handle the reasonable responsibilities for a reasonable amount of time.
I would say no only because you have a baby. Babies are way different than babysitting a 3 year old. Find a responsible adult. A 14 year old wouldn’t know what to do with a baby in the event of an emergency
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It really depends on the teenagers. You can get cameras for inside so you can look in on them. Maybe get them some cpr and first aid classes or even look into babysitting classes.
Depends on the 14 year old.
My concern would be the 11hrs, not so much the 14 y/o’s if they’re mature and trustworthy. An 11hr shift is rough for some adults, and teens need more rest. I’d also double-check local laws/ordinances.
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If u know them personally I would… I was babysitting earlier then that.
Not the 10 month old no. To risky with choking etc.
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I was the neighbor hood babysitter when I was 12 it just depends on the maturity level of the kid. But 11 hours is a long time
It depends on if they are mature enough and not gonna be on their phones the whole time. I started babysitting when I turned 11 years old. I started up my own babysitting and housecleaning business.
I babysat a 6 month old many times at the age of 12. That was in the 80’s tho. lol
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Depends on the state laws. Every state is different.
I personally was a great babysitter at 14 yrs old.
I believe if you have them do a CPR course and if they are mature (responsible) enough then I say go ahead.
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As long as they’re responsible it’s fine.
I think 11 hours is long and a 10 month old requires a lot of attention.
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Times are different. Kids aren’t the same as they used to be. For 11 hours I would not. For a couple hours yes
One 14 yr old is fine to babysit. I took a Red Cross babysitting course and was CPR and infant CPR certified, and began babysitting at 12yrs old. By the time I was 14, I was watching 3-4 kids ages 6m-7/8, fixing them dinner, giving baths, getting to bed etc.
I think it depends on the sitter. And the laws in your state.
11 year olds nowadays… no way
I was babysitting long stretches and late nights by age 12 and it was common to have the kids until 2am or later by the time the parents got home and I would spend the night and they would just take me home in the morning. They were 6 months and 5 years old and I was 12 when I started watching them. I don’t think 11 hours with a 14 year old in charge is a problem at all. I would often have them for 10+ hours on weekends. I had necessary phone numbers for emergencies and knew what to do if I needed someone. I also had my CPR certification but I think I had to wait until I turned 13 for that. Local hospitals run the classes for teens that babysit. I made really good money babysitting from ages 12 to 15 until I could get a real job.
No I wouldn’t leave 14 year olds with my 10 month old
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I was 8 and babysitting kids in our town for money 
It’s fine in my opinion.
Way to long for a young child to watch a baby . and in most states against the law
11 hours is a long time for that age
In my opinion it would be fine, if they are responsible. If you felt better there are classes they can take, to learn what to do in emergencies. I started babysitting when I was 11 with friends and younger with my family.
It may be too much time for a 10 month old I personally would not do it even if the child is responsible at that age they are distracted by phone and a child that young is a lot of responsibility they don’t know danger
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It depends on your state laws what age they are allowed to babysit our YMCA does babysitting/cpr/safety courses for teens. I personally let my 13 year old babysit for family members often, even overnight. Shes amazing and super responsible with the kiddos.
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I would call the local police department and ask them what the law is in your state. Here in Texas as long as the teenagers are responsible and you can trust them to be home alone with the babies then it’s fine but you are risking it especially if they aren’t CPR certified and first aid
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Nope I wouldn’t never allow that ever But that’s just my opinion
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If they are responsible, sounds fine to me
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Have them take a babysitting and first aid/CPR class.
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Depends on the kid. I was 12 when i was babysitting my new born brother all the time, then by 15 was looking after a 4yr old and new born brothers. Helped with daycare costs for my family.
My twins are 16 now but they started babysitting together at 12 and did great.
The reason that lady got introuble was because her daughter has a diagnosis of ADHD…my daughter babysat at 14 and a few kids at a time. She even did it for a week during the summer one year, alone, while the parents were out of state, I would look into your state laws and go from there.
Depends my daughter has been babysitting since she was 13. She is CPR certified and our state law says she can babysit if she’s responsible and cpr trained.
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I was 12. If they’re responsible yeah go for it.
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Both of our neighbor girls babysat for us at 12. They were wonderful, responsible girls and never had any issues, even when my son was a newborn. I however was a latchkey kid and always had my younger siblings at that age too 
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I would start out with just an hour then up it an hour. 11 hours would be too long for my comfort level
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I used to babysit at 12 yrs old but some girls aren’t matured enough at 14 it all depends upon the maturity of the girl 
I babysat on the AFB when living with my older sister on base also watched her kids while she worked off an on base I have 9 older siblings who all had kids so I learned early on to be responsible
Depends on the maturity level of the kid and laws where you’re at. State law where I’m at has no hard and fast rule about leaving children alone. You can be 8 and be left to babysit your younger siblings. You can’t babysit other people’s children unless you’re at least 12. You don’t HAVE to be cpr certified. Obviously if left for extended periods of time authorities and cps can get involved. But
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I was 15 watching my 3 younger siblings with my grandma supervising. I would wash clothes, dishes and cook.
I wouldn’t be comfortable for 11 hours. 4-5 hoirs, sure. But it’s really up to you and how well you know the 14 year old 
No way! I have two 14 year olds and a toddler they’re so good with her and very capable of babysitting but only for a couple of hours. One alone would be better imo they get too distracted
It just depends on the kids. At 15 I had a babysitting job watching 3 young kids. I babysat them and I did some housework as well (I wasn’t asked to, I did it to help the mom out). I was cooking meals for them and the whole 9 yards. I was mature and responsible so there was never any concerns or issues.
As long as your local laws permit it and the girls are responsible and mature enough, I don’t see an issue.
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My best friend and I were 12.Her mother was a single mum, we would often babysit her 5 younger siblings 0-8 up to 12 hrs a day sometimes more if she was working overtime. If she knows how too change the baby, feed and look after then i see no problem especially being there is 2 kids 2 caretakers. If you are abit worried maybe do a few test runs. Try a hr or 2 every weekend or so or ask them to babysit over night to get used to it you be in the house but let them do all the caretaking and show them guidance if needed. You will be able to see how they handle them and if they have the maturity and patience needed.
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The length of time is what concerns me. If the girls are responsible and they meet the criteria in your area to legally babysit then I would let them. If you have to resort to this you could do the classes like others have stated. I would recommend maybe talking to a neighbor or a friend that lives close and see if they will periodically check on the girls. I’m not saying they need to babysit the girls just maybe pop in halfway through the day or later in the day to make sure they aren’t overwhelmed or need something. Two kids can be overwhelming at times especially with 10 month old.
My first thought is choking.
Would they know what each child is able to safely eat? What would they do in the case of an emergency?
Are they level headed. Would they be able to handle any emergency?
Are they CPR trained?
I’m leaning on no.
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I would definitely have the both of them because of the young kids ages. I started babysitting at about 12 for family friends. You have to use your best judgment of the 14 yo.
I would say it depends on the maturity level of the babysitter. I started babysitting at 12 and would do it all summer and on weekends. My mom was only down the street and would call or walk down and check on things. There was never an issue. These days kids from 11 and up can take a babysitter course through the Red Cross that teaches them basics, gives them CPR/First Aid training and certification as well as giving them a Child Care Certification.