Is Your Child Ready to Be a Babysitter?

by Genevieve Thiers

Looking for a babysitter for your kids? Perhaps she's right under your nose! From the age of 12, children often begin to transition from being the one sat for to the one doing the babysitting. Especially during breaks from school, babysitting or mother's helper gigs can be a great way to occupy your tween or teen and teach her about working and responsibility -- paving the way for ice-cream scooping, life guarding or other jobs sure to come up in the future.

Children mature at different rates, so it's up to you to make sure your child is up for the challenge. Wondering if your tween or teen is ready to make the switch from babysittee to babysitter? Ask yourself the following questions.

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  1. When watching your kids, the professional babysitter:
    • Is likely to solicit advice from your tween/teen whrn younger children act up
    • Tends to keep a close eye on all your children -- including your tween/teen
    • Occasionally helps your tween/teen with homework
  1. Your kid -- the budding babysitter -- is playing basketball alone when a younger neighborhood child or sibling comes over. Your child would:
    • Continue to play but let him watch
    • Teach him how to aim and shoot the ball
    • Tease him with the ball but never let him have it

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