How old fo you think a kids should be to babysit?

I would say about 14 to start babysitting, 12 seems a bit young to me... i think that at the age of 14 they'll can handle responsibility better and they will be better at controlling the kids than at 12.

I think its just a *sing of the times* we live in for them not letting them leave is all :( sadly but my daughter took that same class over the summer as well - shes 13 - she loved it! she since has babysat my niece - her mom(my sis) went shopping and even on a date twice and its been great! shes now wanting to branch off and babysit the neighborhood kids! im a bit apprehansive - ONLY Because from what i have seen from some of the parents NOW - they are neglectful and i dont want my daughter involved in that :( BUT... i think it depends on the maturity of the babysitter ( boy or girl) if they can contact 911 ( or whatever number it is for police/ambulance) and know what to say and can handle a crying kid/baby then sure!! :) XX with my daughter babysitting my niece FIRST it was a test for her ( tho she didnt know that! ) lol and i feel shes ready! we all had to start someplace! :) my FIRST *babysitting gig* was three VERY *advanced* boys! oh boy!! they drove me NUTS!! the middle one always trying to take my pants off!! pulling on my legs and pulling them really hard even trying for the button!! OH BOY!! i told thier mom, shed be embaressed and tell them to stop it!! but theyd just laugh!! I think it was just them being boys and hyper!! i would laugh as well ( HE NEVER DID GET THEM DOWN) he eventually just started sitting on my foot and id have to walk around like *frankenstien* dragging him along with me everywhere! lol ( except the bathroom) hed wait outside the others were usually glued to the TV watching HE-MAN! lol id give her *test* sitting and see how it goes - then go from there :) GOOD LUCK :) XX

I think 12 is a good age if they are mature enough.My daughter is 12 and will be 13 next month and I want her to babysit for extra change in her pocket.I didnt know they have training classes for that.I wonder do they have them here.Thats something I want to look into for my daughter then.

12 years old is a very young to take care of a baby. But in my own opinion, it depends on the child if she or he is responsible enough to take care a baby. Because I noticed that there are other 12 years old kids who are very responsible in taking care of a baby but there are some who are not. So I think it really depends on the attitude of the child.

There is much more to consider beyond the child's age. For example the age of the child she will be watching, length of time, location...are there neighbors close by that can help if needed? I was 11 when I began babysitting. I babysat in our neighborhood after school and weekends. My mother lived just down the road and was available if I ran into trouble. My oldest daughter was very responsible by the time she was 11 and watched her younger sisters while I worked in the evenings. My middle daughter however was not as mature and even at 13, I would have hesitated leaving her for any length of time in charge. Each child is different and so are situations and all should be considered.

well i think 12 is ok but really depend on the child.because some children at that age are very mature and responsible and some at that age dont know much and you cant trust them.so to me it all depends on this child.take care.pattie

I started babysitting with my new sister when I was 10,but didn't realy start with neibours children till 12,we didn't take any courses back then,so long as you could change diapers and keep little ones happy,you could sit. Of course,I did not start midnights or far from home till around 15. I have slowed down a great deal now,mostly family and freinds,but after 40 some odd years,I think it's about over now.lol

I was 12 when I started babysitting. I helped raise my two youngest brothers and was 12 when I started. As long as the child doing it is well prepared it shouldn't be too difficult. I'd just make sure they know what to do in an emergency. **AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~

Hi vicki! I am not familiar with babysitter cos I was brought up in an environment where most poeple who lived there are penyless. Babysitter certification training is not a familiar thing to me, but its a good thing getting children registered as it will help them. I thing what the woman is doing in my opinion is right. She is doing it in order to make things go the right way. Thanks

Well I guess there just trying to be more cautious these days.There's alot of strange people out there that do alot of strange stuff.

My daughter started babysitting at 11 and that was just for a short time, while they went to the store, or run to pay a bill, things like that. She is now 12 and I let her babysit longer. I think if a child is mature than let them do it, because it teaches them how to earn their own money. My son also babysits and he is now 13, he also started at 11. They know if they need help to call and I will be right there !

I think that 12 is a good age. I was 12 when I started babysitting. I also took the babysitters training course. I do think it is strange that they are learning how to be in charge of smaller children and you had to sign her out. That does not make sense to me.

i think they should be at least 16 years old. i'm a mother and personally i wouldn't let anyone watch my kid if they were under that age. as for them having you sign out your daughter, i think that is awesome. i would rather there be too much protection than not enough. at least you know they care enough about your child to not have just do whatever she wants after class and have who knows what happen to her. plus, you have to admit there is way more crime and violence nowadays than there was even 5 years ago.

in China 12 years girl is sunflower ,seldom people will ask their children deal any babysitt work .if some parents deal that ,they must be think very poor . but I think that different way of education ,hope we change it in furture