How old to watch alone?

[gaves99]

So I was pumping this am in the bedroom and heard the shower start. When i realized it was dh I stopped to go check things out since where's little miss?! He left her in the arms of DSD who is 10. Is it me or just way too young and way too soon to be unsupervised!?!? Tried telling me it was fine bc she wasn't fussy. Well how do u know the min u walked away she's not fussy and wiggly. DSD has no interaction or experience w babies and weirded me out. This is only her 3rd day with Molly. This has made me feel like a control freak but I don't think 15ish min is ok for her to be alone.. thoughts? How do you all handle your kids around the new babies?

 

[tristansmum]

I think it depends on the child. Some 10 year olds are super responsible where as others may not be able. I trust my 3 1/2 year old with my just turned 1 year old. He tells me if Sebastian is doing anything he shouldn't ect. But no way I would with some of my friend's kids. At the end of the day it's how you feel about it. In terms of an age I think 10 is fine with a newborn but there is more too it. Don't get too annoyed with dh though cause men don't think these things tthrough as much as we do!

 

[liz1985]

Yeah maybe at 10 I would. Not to like leave them alone in the house alone or anything but in another room. My brother is 11 and id let him hold my baby from been newborn while I was in another room, and tell him to shout me if he needed me. I wouldnt want him walking round with her but sitting holding id be happy with. I leave my baby and toddler in the room together while I go toilet. I make sure dd is in a safe place that ds cant pick her up from.

 

[lovebabyhopes]

I was exactly 10 when my baby brother was born and I practically helped raise him. From the start I was the little helper. I'd hold him, burp him, change him.. everything. I was the built in babysitter..lol. It really depends on each kid though.

 

[Night Flower]

Depends on the child. I held, changed diapers and prepared and fed formula to my youngest siblings (twins) when I was 10years old, while my mom took a (very quick) shower and made dinner, etc. It was only for 10-15mins at a time. She was a single mom, and I was the oldest responsible child at the time.

 

[HBGirl]

I trust my 13 year old nephew totally.