Letting an older child babysit their siblings can be a great way to save money instead of paying a babysitter. But at what age is a child ready to babysit their younger siblings?
What age can a child babysit siblings? In general, kids can start babysitting siblings for short periods around age 11 or 12. Start by leaving them for short amounts of time and gradually increase it as they prove themselves trustworthy. Don't leave them alone overnight until your oldest child is at least 16.
In this article, I'll let you know what age a child can babysit their siblings and other factors to take into account, like their maturity level and how to prepare them for being alone.
How Old Should Your Children Be Before They Can Babysit Siblings?
As a parent, you've probably been dreaming for years of the day when you could just leave your kids at home—no babysitter required! But you don't want to get too eager and leave kids alone before they're ready.
In most countries, the law is actually quite vague about when children can be left on their own. While a child is typically considered anyone younger than 16, the laws don't normally state the age when children can be left alone.
Instead, the laws contain vague statements that parents should make "reasonable provision" for their children's care and supervision. But that's more often than not left open to interpretation by the parents.
So what is the right answer?
As a general rule, I recommend that babysitters shouldn't start working before the age of 11. That's the minimum age required to take a Red Cross babysitting course. For an 11- or 12-year-old, I would highly recommend that they enroll in a babysitting course before they begin watching their siblings.
For most kids, anywhere between 11 and 14 years of age is a good time to start letting them babysit their siblings. Although exactly when they're ready will depend on a number of factors.
Is your child an only child? My article is more relevant for that situation!
Babysitting Siblings - Factors to Consider Besides Age
Age is a good baseline to begin with when deciding if your oldest child is ready to babysit their siblings. But it's just a start.
You need to consider other factors as well before deciding if they're ready to stay home alone. Different kids will be ready at younger or older ages, depending on a bunch of additional factors.
Does Your Child Have Good Judgement?
If your child runs into a situation that you haven't discussed with them while they're babysitting their siblings, will they know how to work through it on their own? Or are they more likely to panic when they aren't sure what to do?
How are their overall problem-solving skills when they are faced with a difficulty and need to figure it out?
You want to be confident that they'll know how to react if a quick decision is needed, or if they're dealing with an emergency.
Do Any of Your Children Have Special Needs?
If your younger children are all age-appropriate, well-behaved, and pretty self-sufficient, then your oldest will have a fairly easy time when it's time to start babysitting.
However, things will be more challenging if any of your other kids are too young or have additional physical or mental needs. Managing a child with ADHD or autism will be much more of a challenge for a brand new babysitter, even if they're familiar with their sibling's condition.
Likewise, if you have a newborn or infant/toddler below the age of 2 years, the amount of attention and care required to babysit them can be substantial. The age when little ones begin walking around until they can be trusted not to get into too much trouble requires so much vigilance that the responsibility might be overwhelming for an older sibling who is left alone with them.
Some kids are also just more aggressive, anxious, or impulsive than others. Any kind of behavioral issues will make leaving your kids home alone more difficult. It doesn't matter if the issue is with the babysitter or the young children that they're watching since both can cause problems.
If your older child has special needs, such as ADHD or behavioral issues, it will take them a little more time to develop the maturity level needed to babysit younger siblings. Children at any age with ADHD will most likely be too impulsive, distractible, and lack the judgment to care for younger children until they are quite a bit older. You have to have an excellent attention span and be able to focus and think ahead to assume the responsibility of one or more younger children safely.
One way to look at the situation more objectively would be to consider the kinds of reinforcements your older child needs to get through a school day. If your child has an IEP (individualized education plan) and needs accommodations at school due to the problems mentioned above, it will be explained pretty well in their IEP. Reviewing the goals set by the special education teacher will help you determine if your child possesses the skills needed or is still working toward attaining them, in which case it is best to wait until they get a little older.
Are Your Children Self-Sufficient?
Can they brush their own teeth, get themselves a glass of water, call you if there’s a problem? The more that your children are already able to care for themselves, the less you'll need to worry about when letting siblings babysit each other.
Your oldest is probably ready to babysit their siblings if they're capable of cooking meals, washing dishes, going to bed on time on their own, and completing other tasks around the home.
If your child takes the initiative and knows to do things without being asked, that can be a very strong sign that they're mature enough to babysit. When you do give your child instructions, you should be able to trust that they'll reliably follow them.
Your child should also be able to identify safety hazards and avoid them, both inside and outside of the home.
How Long Can Your Child Babysit Their Siblings?
When you're letting your oldest child babysit their sibling for the first time, it's best to start small and work up in increments.
You can start by having them watch their sibling while you are still in the house, for example, working in another room. You will likely be in earshot and can determine if there are control issues or other problems. If that goes well, the next step might be to go over and talk to the neighbor for just 10 or 15 minutes. If you come back and nothing has gone seriously wrong, then you can leave for longer periods of time.
Next, you may leave your children at home for an hour or so while you go grocery shopping. Let them know it's a chance to prove that they're trustworthy. Although if you come home to fighting kids, broken objects, or messes, that's a clear sign they aren't ready to be left alone yet.
Eventually, if things are going well, you can start leaving your kids alone for a few hours at a time. Whether that's having them come home alone after school while you're at work, or in the evening while you go out for dinner with your partner for a date night, you’ll determine when they might be ready depending upon how things have gone with the previous babysits.
When Can Children Babysit Siblings Overnight?
I would not leave an older child to babysit overnight until they're at least 16 and can drive safely. Because let’s face it, safe driving takes a lot of emotional maturity. You have to be able to follow the rules, be watchful, and avoid being impulsive. Those are pretty close to the skills needed for babysitting.
An 11- or 12-year-old may be ready to babysit in the afternoon or evening. But babysitting at nighttime is an entirely different situation that they aren't quite ready for in terms of maturity.
Tweens simply aren't prepared to handle the extra responsibility that comes with babysitting overnight. If you ask them if they're ready to babysit overnight, they might think they are. But once they're in a dark and quiet home all by themselves, they will probably feel very uneasy and scared, which is pretty normal for that age.
The difference between babysitting at night instead of during the day is mostly a mental one. It can be a very creepy experience for younger kids.
It also presents some new safety concerns. How will they react if someone knocks on the door late at night? Even if they know not to answer the door, just having someone knock late at night can be enough to throw a younger child into a panic when they're home alone.
They have to have developed a good level of foresight. That’s the ability to look ahead and determine, “if I do this, such and such might happen—or not.” This is a higher-order executive function and something important to teach your children from a young age. However, that part of the brain only begins the maturing process at around age 12 or so. With the right example and instruction, these skills can become well developed in the second decade of life. But, when you think about it, a fair number of teens seem to be lacking in this area until well into their twenties!
For that reason, I personally think the minimum age that kids should babysit overnight is 16. By that age, you should be able to tell if they are prepared and mature enough to handle the extra responsibility and pressure.
You should also check out my article How Old Should An Overnight Babysitter Be? (Safety Guide) for more details.
Prepare Your Child to Babysit Siblings
Once you decide that your child is old enough to start babysitting their siblings, you don't want to just throw them into it without any guidance. You should plan to provide them with the best chance to succeed as possible.
Start by making sure that they feel comfortable being alone and capable of looking after their younger brothers or sisters. You don't want to force it onto them if they might feel overwhelmed.
Signing your child up for a babysitting course is a great place to start. That way, they can learn most of the skills and knowledge they'll need to keep themselves and their siblings safe.
You should talk your child through most common scenarios, like what they need to do in an emergency. And you’ll want to provide them with your cell phone number, along with that of some trusted neighbors or friends they can contact if they run into problems.
Try roleplaying some situations that might come up, and let them talk through what they would do. What should they do if the smoke alarm goes off, or if their sibling falls and scrapes their knee? How should they handle it if their sibling won’t go to bed? What will they do if the doorbell rings?
Finally, make sure that you also discuss any specific guidelines for when they're home alone. For example, decide whether they're allowed to have friends over while you're away or not. Also important to talk about is what they're allowed to eat, how much they can watch TV, talk on the phone, or use other devices, and any other house rules.
Conclusion
Kids are usually old enough to start babysitting their siblings for short periods during the day around age 11. Most kids can't handle being left alone overnight until they're 16 or older.
These ages are just guidelines, though. Your specific situation will depend on how mature and responsible your oldest child is.
When it's time to leave your kids alone for the first time, set them up for success. It can be helpful if you write out all of the resources and rules for your child and stick it to the refrigerator or somewhere they can easily access it when they're not sure what to do.
Gradually increase the amount of time that your children are left alone and before long you can reach a point when you will no longer need to use a paid babysitter from outside your family. Hooray!
Next:
What information should you leave with your babysitter?
FAQs
Some children have the maturity to start babysitting as early as age 12 or 13. Others are better off waiting until they're older teenagers.
What age can an older sibling watch a younger sibling? ›
Experts recommend that: A child should be at least 12 years old before being left alone at home and at least 15 years old before they can care for a younger sibling. Children should not be left alone overnight until the oldest child is at least 16 years old.
What's the youngest age a child can babysit siblings? ›
In general, kids can start babysitting siblings for short periods around age 11 or 12. Start by leaving them for short amounts of time and gradually increase it as they prove themselves trustworthy. Don't leave them alone overnight until your oldest child is at least 16.
At what age can you leave an older sibling babysit? ›
A good rule of thumb for a minimum age for siblings sitting for short periods is between 11 and 12 years old. Younger siblings should be over two years of age. On the other hand, the recommended age for an elder sibling for overnight sibling sitting and care of siblings under two years of age is 16 years old.”
What age can a child take care of a sibling? ›
To decide if your child can take care of himself, consider:
Experts believe a child should be at least 12 before he is left alone, and at least 15 before he can care for a younger brother or sister. These are the minimum ages. Not every child is ready then.
Can a 10 year old watch younger siblings? ›
Research presented at the national conference of the American Academy of Pediatrics found that children should be at least 12 before they should be left alone for more than 4 hours.
Can older sibling babysit younger sibling? ›
Older siblings should be older siblings who may occasionally provide temporary oversight. Older siblings should not be virtual stand-ins or replacements for mom and dad. If your younger children are receiving more direct care and provision from older siblings than from parents, there is a problem.
Can a 12 year old look after a younger sibling? ›
There's no legal age a child can babysit – but if you leave your children with someone who's under 16 you're still responsible for their wellbeing. You should also think carefully about leaving your child alone with an older brother or sister.
Can a 12 year old babysit younger siblings? ›
Some children have the maturity to start babysitting as early as age 12 or 13. Others are better off waiting until they're older teenagers. Before you let your tween babysit, demand the same qualifications that you would from any babysitter you are considering hiring.
Should older siblings be responsible for younger siblings? ›
Bilek suggests unless you are putting your oldest in charge of babysitting, the responsibility of “being in charge” of their younger siblings shouldn't come up and says, “Putting the responsibility for the choices of the younger kids on the oldest really isn't fair.”
There is no minimum legal age to babysit in California.
How do you babysit younger siblings? ›
5 Tips to Make Babysitting Siblings Easier
- Plan as much in advance as possible and make sure everyone knows the plan. ...
- Make dinner arrangements that make everyone happy. ...
- Go over the bedtime routine with everyone present. ...
- Pay/barter a fair amount with your babysitter.
Wednesday Age Rating
Wednesday is rated TV-14 for violence, fear, and profanity, which means it may not be suitable for children under 14 years old.
Is it my responsibility to take care of my siblings? ›
If you mean loving them and being kind to them, then yes. Your siblings can learn by your example. Also, sharing past experiences with your siblings can help them with their own personal struggles. it is not your responsibility to make sure your parents pay the bills, or get along.
How many kids have to take care of their siblings? ›
In the United States, more than 5.4 million children and adolescents take care of siblings, parents, and grandparents on an ongoing basis (AARP & National Alliance for Caregiving, 2020).
What is the eldest daughter trauma? ›
Eldest daughter syndrome is the burden felt by oldest daughters because they're given too many adult responsibilities in their family before they're ready. Eldest daughter syndrome can make women feel overburdened, stressed out, and constantly responsible for others.
Can my 13 year old watch my younger kids? ›
13-15 years old may babysit infants and children but not overnight. 16 years old and older may watch children overnight.
Can a 10 year old watch Now You See Me? ›
Parents need to know that Now You See Me is an entertaining (if uneven) caper movie that could be thrilling for teens interested in magic and illusions, though some fight scenes may be too harsh (kicks to the face, pistol-whipping, a deadly car crash) for younger viewers.
Can a 11 year old watch child's play? ›
The “Buddi” dolls in the film seem like a logical step in that direction - walking, talking cameras and microphones that monitors you constantly, awaiting orders. The “R” rating from the MPAA ought to give you a good idea that Child's Play isn't going to be the best film for your ten-year-old's birthday party.
What age can brother and sister share? ›
While it's not illegal for them to share, it's recommended that children over the age of 10 should have their own bedrooms – even if they're siblings or step-siblings. We know this isn't always possible. If kids are sharing, try to have regular conversations with them about how they're feeling.
Parentification or parent–child role reversal is the process of role reversal whereby a child or adolescent is obliged to act as parent to their own parent or sibling.
How does the oldest sibling act? ›
“Firstborn children can be goal-oriented, outspoken, stubborn, independent, and perfectionistic,” Smelser says, and when you look at the way firstborns are nurtured, it starts to make sense why. “These traits are often reinforced by parents through their interactions with the child,” she says.
What is the closest in age siblings can be? ›
It's technically possible for two siblings to be as close as 9 or 10 months apart.
Why do kids look up to their older siblings? ›
Essentially, almost all younger siblings have the innate desire to mimic their older sibling, especially early in life, says Dr. Varedy. “They want to look like them, act like them and mostly want their approval,” she says.
What happens to a child at 12? ›
This is a time of many physical, mental, emotional, and social changes. Hormones change as puberty begins. Most boys grow facial and pubic hair and their voices deepen. Most girls grow pubic hair and breasts, and start their period.
How long can a 9 year old stay home alone in Texas? ›
Answer: Texas law doesn't say what age is old enough for a child to stay at home alone. However, adequate supervision is critical to keeping kids safe. An adult caregiver is accountable for the child's care and inadequate supervision can be a type of neglect (neglectful supervision).
Can a 12 year old babysit in Texas? ›
There is no statutory minimum age to babysit in Texas, and no particular training is required. This lack of regulation makes it easier to find babysitters and easier to get started earning money by caring for children.
Should 9 year olds have phones? ›
The right age to give kids their first cellphone is really up to you. Age isn't as important as your kid's maturity level, ability to follow rules at home and school, and sense of responsibility as well as your own family's needs.
What is the oldest child syndrome? ›
Oldest child syndrome refers to a number of characteristics people develop as an outcome of being the first-born. For instance, following the birth of another baby, the firstborn goes from being the “only child” of their parents to having to share their parent's love and attention with a younger sibling.
Which sibling is most responsible? ›
Oldest Child - “The Achiever”
As a result, firstborn children tend to be responsible, well-behaved, and possess strong leadership qualities. The oldest children are often held to a higher standard than the later-borns. They are the first of everything, and their parents are going through it for the first time, too.
Over 5 years. Anything over 5 years is considered a large age gap. This could be planned or is sometimes a whoopsie or just situational, such as children from different relationships. A larger age gap doesn't mean siblings can't be close, it is just will be a different type of relationship.
What state has the youngest age to stay home alone? ›
Leaving a Child Home Alone and the Law
Only a couple of states specify a legal age to leave a child home alone, including Maryland (age 8) and Illinois (age 14).
Can a 17 year old babysit a 10 year old overnight? ›
The law is vague and there is no legal minimum age requirement which makes it down to the parent or legal guardian to decide when children can be left overnight.
Can a 9 year old watch Stranger things? ›
The Common Sense experts say the show is fine for kids 13+, while both parents and kids agree the show is appropriate for ages 12+.
Is babysitting a parentification? ›
Parentification is more than just babysitting, it is when an older sibling adopts a disciplinary or caretaker role with the younger sibling even when the parent is present, and can occur with or without the parent's support.
How do you spend time with younger siblings? ›
Plan a special activity.
- Try going to a museum together, especially if either of you have an interest in a particular subject. For example, if you're older and can drive, and your sibling loves science, take a trip to a museum of science within driving distance. ...
- Go roller skating or ice skating together.
The film contains scenes where sex paraphernalia are used in non-sexual contexts for humorous effect. While this makes the film unsuitable for young children, the material is unlikely to be harmful to teenagers as the sexual meaning is akin to "toilet humour".
How many hours can a 10 year old watch? ›
Recommended time limits
Under 2 years old: Zero screen time, except for video chatting with family or friends. 2-5 years old: No more than one hour per day co-viewing with a parent or sibling. 5-17 years old: Generally no more than two hours per day, except for homework.
Can I let my 9 year old watch Wednesday? ›
In Wednesday you can expect violence, murder and death, some gore and intense scenes, and profanity by some of the characters. To sum it up, Wednesday is not kid friendly for young kids, but should be reserved for tweens and teens.
When siblings don t help with elderly parents? ›
And if siblings refuse to help, seek help from community resources, friends, or hire professional help. Some siblings in the family may refuse to help care for your parents or may stop helping at some point. If they aren't willing to work on resolving the issues, the best approach may be for you to just let it go.
A parentified child has responsibilities placed on them that are inappropriate, considering their age and abilities. These responsibilities can include practical duties, such as paying bills, or emotional support, such as acting as a confidant. Parentification can have negative effects on a child.
What is parentification of eldest daughters? ›
Many eldest daughters are subjected to a form of parentification, which Healthline defines as a type of dysfunction wherein kids take on traditional parenting roles in the household: “Instead of giving to their child, the parent takes from them. In this role reversal, the parent may delegate duties to the child.
How many children are good for one family? ›
Three or more children = wrong
Despite the growing trends mentioned above, two children still seems to the ideal number. An actual study revealed one to two children is the ideal number for “happiness”, but with two you don't have to deal with the aforementioned only child issues.
Are half siblings considered full siblings? ›
Full siblings share the same biological mother and father, maternal half-siblings share the same mother only, and paternal half-siblings share the same father only. Therefore, full siblings share, on average, 50% of their genes with one another and half siblings share approximately 25%.
Do kids need both parents in their life? ›
Physically, socially, intellectually, and psychologically, every parent has a distinct role they play in their child's life. One parent cannot fill in both the necessities and the role the other parent can. This is why both parents need to be involved in their child's life, that is, if they are both still alive.
What is the middle daughter syndrome? ›
Middle child syndrome is the belief that middle children are excluded, ignored, or even outright neglected because of their birth order. According to the lore, some children may have certain personality and relationship characteristics as a result of being the middle child.
How do you prevent eldest daughter syndrome? ›
Setting boundaries as an oldest daughter
- Hold your ground. “Just because they are family doesn't mean your boundaries have to change. ...
- Build your own support network. “Families are complicated. ...
- Stop giving unsolicited advice. “Ask if your opinion is wanted before giving it.
Results demonstrated the connection between childhood trauma exposure, high-risk behaviors (e.g., smoking, unprotected sex), chronic illness such as heart disease and cancer, and early death.
Can a 15 year old watch siblings overnight? ›
The law is vague and there is no legal minimum age requirement which makes it down to the parent or legal guardian to decide when children can be left overnight.
What sibling age gap is too big? ›
Gaps of over five years are associated with pregnancy and birth problems (not just because you're likely to be an older mum) (Conde-Agudelo et al, 2006). With bigger gaps, your children may be into different things so not as close until they're much older.
North Carolina has no state law regarding teens and babysitting. This means that there is no state prohibition on a teenager providing child care in their home or parents` home.
Can a 15 year old look after a 10 year old sibling? ›
There's no legal age a child can babysit – but if you leave your children with someone who's under 16 you're still responsible for their wellbeing. You should also think carefully about leaving your child alone with an older brother or sister.
Is it normal for a 15 year old to sleep with their parents? ›
Some children are all-night sleepers, but they're in the minority. It's natural for babies and children to want to sleep with their parents, or very close to them, as it's a primal thing to do. A look at young dependent mammals will attest this - they all sleep next to their parents/mother.
Can a 5 year old watch a 15 film with parents? ›
15 – for 15 year-olds and over
No one younger than 15 can go and see a 15 rated film in the cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video, DVD or download.
What is the best sibling combination? ›
According to a survey conducted by British parenting website Bounty, two girls are considered the best combination for parents to have a happy and harmonious family life. In their study, they surveyed 2,116 parents who had children aged 16 and under.
Is 10 years a big age difference for siblings? ›
One third of all couples conceive within about 18 months after the birth of their previous child, making the median age interval between children 24-29 months. Although shorter age gaps are more common than larger age gaps, 5% of births occur with age intervals as large as 10 years.
What age can kids stay home alone? ›
While child experts typically agree that 11 or 12 years old is an appropriate age to stay home alone for a few hours, there are a number of factors to consider. It is important to recognize that the right time will vary by family, so trust your instincts.
At what age can a kid stay home alone in Texas? ›
Answer: Texas law doesn't say what age is old enough for a child to stay at home alone. However, adequate supervision is critical to keeping kids safe. An adult caregiver is accountable for the child's care and inadequate supervision can be a type of neglect (neglectful supervision).
How many kids can you babysit without a license in Texas? ›
In Texas, you can legally care for up to three children at once without a license if you are babysitting in your own home. The law also states that if you are providing childcare outside of the home, you must obtain a professional license from the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
Can a 13 year old babysit younger siblings? ›
Some children have the maturity to start babysitting as early as age 12 or 13. Others are better off waiting until they're older teenagers. Before you let your tween babysit, demand the same qualifications that you would from any babysitter you are considering hiring.
The guidelines state that at age 11, a child can babysit siblings and family friends for up to two hours. At ages 12-14, youth can babysit siblings and family friends up to three hours. It is recommended that children and youth who babysit others take the Red Cross babysitting course.
Can a 12 year old babysit siblings in Florida? ›
While Florida has no law for a minimum age to babysit, most experts say age 12 is a good age to consider light babysitting responsibility such as an hour or so while parents run an errand. However, there are several other factors to consider before allowing your child to care for siblings or other children.
