How old were you when you started babysitting?

I was 12. I have to say that I was very responsible too. It was for a nice family, they paid well. News hit through the neighborhood, and I was working non-stop. it was great money.
My sisters also started at around 12.
But it does not seem like girls are doing it anymore..

I was 11. And I still babysit

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Posted by Janice

Do you think parents just give money to their daughters now?

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I don't think so, I teach 1st-8th grade, and a ton of the 7th and 8th grade girls babysit for families in the school.

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Posted by Janice

Do you think parents just give money to their daughters now?

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I got an allowence, but it wasn't much, so i always babysat too.

it just seems like none of my younger cousins or neighbors do it anymore.

I still babysit on Saturdays sometimes. DH works all day and it is great extra money

i started babysitting when i was about 12 or so for a family right down the street and my parents were home if i needed anything... then as i got older i babysat alot all through high school...
it doesn't seem like as many girls that age are doing it now... i guess its either their parents are just handing them money ( which isn't good- they should earn it) or because a lot of parents of little kid today are less trusting and don't leave their kids with babysitters as much... i hear from a lot of people ' i would never leave my kids with somebody other than family' etc... so i guess its a combination of things...

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Posted by ML110

because a lot of parents of little kid today are less trusting and don't leave their kids with babysitters as much... i hear from a lot of people ' i would never leave my kids with somebody other than family' etc... so i guess its a combination of things...

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I hear this a lot too, but in all my nights babysitting, nothing bad ever happened. anyone else? I never had an ER visit, or fire, or anything like that

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Posted by ML110

i started babysitting when i was about 12 or so for a family right down the street and my parents were home if i needed anything... then as i got older i babysat alot all through high school...
it doesn't seem like as many girls that age are doing it now... i guess its either their parents are just handing them money ( which isn't good- they should earn it) or because a lot of parents of little kid today are less trusting and don't leave their kids with babysitters as much... i hear from a lot of people ' i would never leave my kids with somebody other than family' etc... so i guess its a combination of things...

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A few of the famiilies who i have babysat for wouldn't leave their kids with anyone but college students.

I mean, i know I babysat at 11, but when I have kids, i don't think i'd have anyone younger than 14 babysit for them.

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Posted by DebsNY

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Posted by ML110

i started babysitting when i was about 12 or so for a family right down the street and my parents were home if i needed anything... then as i got older i babysat alot all through high school...
it doesn't seem like as many girls that age are doing it now... i guess its either their parents are just handing them money ( which isn't good- they should earn it) or because a lot of parents of little kid today are less trusting and don't leave their kids with babysitters as much... i hear from a lot of people ' i would never leave my kids with somebody other than family' etc... so i guess its a combination of things...

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A few of the famiilies who i have babysat for wouldn't leave their kids with anyone but college students.

I mean, i know I babysat at 11, but when I have kids, i don't think i'd have anyone younger than 14 babysit for them.

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LOL yeah... i totally agre with you... even though i was babysitting at 12, i don't think when i have kids i would leave them with somebody that young...LOL little double standard- what can i say? there is a lot more out there to worry about now... and i really think 12 years olds now are different than i was at 12... i wasn't even thinking about half the stuff these kids do when i was 12!!

I never really babysat....I never got along with kids that well

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Posted by LaurenluvsTJ

I was 13. I was a mother's helper. At first, the mom stayed in the house and did laundry and stuff while I watched the kids, and then she started to go out. I was with them for 5 years.. I wonder how they are....

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I always wonder how one of my families are doing too. I started at 12 and was with them till 18. I use to watch them 5 days a week in the summer and usually Saturdays too. They were so good to me. They would take me on vacations with them, and they bought me my first car. I should drop them a line.

I was 15 and watched them off and on until I was 23 and the older siser was 12 and they felt she could take care of her brother.

I the older sister last summer. She was working in Bertucci's. I felt so old! She has a car and a boyfriend.