Saturday night Justin and I went to go eat and then met some friends to watch the UFC fights. Well when Justin told our friend we would meet up with them later he asked who was watching the boys. Justin told him that Jonathan was babysitting for us and he replied, " Is that legal?"
What?! Was he being serious?
Jonathan is about to turn 14 in a little over a month. I trust him to watch his brothers. They mostly just sit in the living room and watch tv. Actually I think the little ones mind Jonathan more than they mind me! Ha! Plus it's not like we go way across town. We always sta'y pretty close to home and I always call and text almost every hour to check on them. I raise my boys right and they know how to act. I trust my children. Also I believe this is also teaching Jonathan to have some responsibility.
I was 11 when we used to stay home by ourselves after school until my parents got home and during the summer. I also remember babysitting around age 13. So what do y'all think? How old were y'all when you first stayed at home alone? At what age would you let your children stay home alone?
Hope y'all are having a great Tuesday!!!
Your kiddos know how to act. And Jonathan is smart. Everyone is fine! Sheesh. Who was the dummy who asked that. HA!
ReplyDeleteI was babysitting at around 13 also. As for being left alone when I was little my mom was a SAHM so that wasn't an option. She did get a job when I was in Jr High though and boy did I get in trouble being home alone then. Hehehe!
Wow I don't really remember! I think my parents started gradually. I remember when I was maybe 8 getting to stay home for like 30 minutes while they ran an errand. I think when I got into 5th ans 6th grade is when they trusted to leave me for longer periods at a time.
ReplyDeleteI think you having Jonathan watch the kiddos is a great idea. Like you said, teaches him responsibility. :)
I had to come home from school alone when I was about 10 or 11, so I think the decision is based on the maturity of the kid and your boys seem VERY well-behaved, so I think you're good :)
ReplyDeleteOh good gosh - I was in full fledge babysitting mode by the time I was 11 years old. And I mean that people would hire me to sit for their kids. 14 is definitely old enough!
ReplyDeleteI may not be a great person to ask b/c I also trust my 33 year old Down Syndrome brother to watch Hudson every afternoon. Hudson sleeps most of the time anyway. And my office is only 5 minutes away, so i'm comfortable with it. Which is all that matters. If you're comfortable letting Jonathan babysit - go for it!
I really don't remember when I started staying home alone but I do remember starting to babysit at 12! Go with your gut instinct. 14 really doesn't sound too young to me.
ReplyDeleteI think 14 is fine to be responsible enough to stay home and watch his brothers. I think I was home alone at wround 12.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby watches UFC too! Have a great day!
I typed out a long eloquent message yesterday on my phone and then when I hit send it just disappeared! Oh well, I was going to say that you know how responsible your kid is...and if you are comfortable with him watching the kids then they will be fine. My kid is 9 and I know by the time he is 13 he will have to walk home from school (about 6 blocks) and stay alone for a few hours until we both get home from work. That's life.
ReplyDeleteI think that as long as you trust your son to babysit, it's the right choice! I was babysitting my niece and nephew regularly when I was 10. That being said, I wouldn't have a 10 year old watch my kids nowadays, but if it were an older sibling, I'd do it!
ReplyDeleteOh please. That is WAY old enough. I was babysitting from 5 a.m. in the morning to 3 p.m. every summer when I was 13. And that was for 3 young girls! Psaw! People are crazy.
ReplyDeleteI think giving your kids responsibilities like that is a very healthy thing. :)