What is the appropriate age you should let your child start working?

Well I think you as the parent would know best. If you don't think she is mature enough to handle babysitting, then she probably shouldn't, at least not right now. However, if she seems rather serious about it, and you want to see how serious she is and test her a bit, see if you can find some babysitting classes for her to take. These usually involve CPR training and the like to help the younger generation learn some good basic skills that could come in handy. If she can make it through the classes, pass the tests and still seems serious about it, maybe you could give her some trial runs with someone you know.

All children are different, but 11 does seem a little young. Maybe she could be a mother's helper, where the parent is home, but busy with other things and your daughter cares for the child, but with an adult nearby. This could help her gain some responsibility and experience so she will be ready for babysitting a little sooner.

It depends on the kid. My advice is to let her try habysitting and see how she likes it. For her first job, arrange to home (in case of emergency so she can call you). Or try a paper route or if she likes to write or answer questions a site like Mylot might be up her slley.

I think that the maturity level of the child is more important than the age. I was 12 when I started babysitting. I think that babysitting at 12 is okay as long as it is only for a few hours at a time. I would not want a 12 year old no matter how mature they seem babysitting my kids for more than a few hours.

if you do not feel that your daughter is not mature enough to look after other children then do not let her.usually your gut will tell you when she is old enough to look after kids.maybe a paper run or something like that she could do for now.cheers sue

April~ This is coming from one of you best friends of all time. Though some times we hate each other or even get on each other's nerves we still love each other. At the end of the day we still call or im each other. So, I personally think what you should do is have her keep your younger ones (the girls) and make sure they don't kill each other at the end of the day then gradually add the baby and the other boy and see how it goes let her know you will pay her for her services and if they all survive each other at the end of the day give it serious consideration but if one kid comes out beat up or what not don't let it happen. But seriously sit her down explain the situation, sumthang like...Ok here is your first job. I am letting you babysit for me and if you do good I will pay you for it but if you and your siblings begin fighting it's over and you done. If it does go good let her keep baby sitting or help her find the appropriate aged kids. Oh and have her take a babysitting course so knows what to do if somthing like choking happens. :)

that would be up to you,but i think if he or she is babysitting another sibling 14 would be a good age.you wouldn't want an 11 year old to put up with someone elses child if their unbehaved that would be rough for a child so young,if your talking about a daughter and she is sort of a tomboy perhaps a paper route would work. i pay my granddaughter 20 bucks to cut my lawn every other week.at least she wants to work and not sit in front of a t.v.or play those games all day,i think that's great.