i found a babysitter, but need advice

I would go with the 15 YO babysitter. He is in the neighborhood and you know him. My babysitter for my son when I was in school at night was a 13 year old male, that I used for over 3 years. We had no problems with him, his older sister though was a nightmare as a sitter. My son at 15, was a highly sought after babysitter. He was reliable, kids and parents loved him. A sitter with 5 other kids has her hands full already.

i think its better you choose the last option the 15 year old boy since you know his family well. Since his job is to send and fetch your child to school, he may be responsible enough to do it.

Go with the girl. He could be a wonderful boy, but these days it's hard to trust even those you know well. It may be more of a problem time wise, but I think you might feel more assured with a female. Also, your daughter would have some playmates for a short while.

i think if you trust the kid, the last option is better, as far as i understand, you kid is little right? it will make too long of a day for her...(i think anyways)

I think if you should go with your instincts. If you feel that the 15 year old boy would be the best choice to watch your daughter, then you should go with him. My son just turned 16 and I know he would be great with a four year old. When I babysit my grandchildren ages 2 and 6, my son helps me watch them and he is great at it. What does your daughter think? Who does she want to babysit her. Maybe that would help you make your choice. Good luck, I'm sure that you will make the best choice. Congratulations on going back to college.

If you are completely comfortable with the boy across the road, i would go with him. It is hard for a child to get up and ready so early. Never lone the longer travelling she would have to do. Being at home would be a lot easier for you and her. Best wishes to you

This may sound bad, but I just don't trust most 15 year old boys, no matter how well I know them!!! This isn't a generalization, this is from going to school with them, and from when my sister used to date them, when she was a teenager. I'd be more likely to choose the lady with the children.

I never had this problem and I am so glad. My mom watched my daughter when I went to work. I would try the boy. If you know him and his family maybe things will be ok. I am just sceptical about a boy watching a baby girl. I did not know there was a course you could take to be a babysitter. The other thing you can do is put what is called nanny cams in the house so that you can see what is going on there when you are not there. This is not a bad thing. These cameras are a great invention and it keeps our kids safe. You can get these cameras just about any where. They can be a little expensive but worth the cost if it protects our children. This way you will know in a matter of a day or two if this kid is ok with yours and she is safe with him. I am just suspisious of everyone I guess. Good luck.

If it was me, I would ask my child what she thought. Does she like the boy across the street? Since she knows him, and he would be watching her in her own house, she would probably feel more comfortable that way. Also, she would get more attention from him since she wouldn't have any other kids to compete with. If he's going to be cooking or fixing any snacks or meals for her, that's a guarantee that he can fix something that she will eat. Going to a babysitter with five kids already, they might not eat the same things she does. As long as you really trust him, and your daughter likes and trusts him, I think that the kid across the street would probably be a better bet.

Myself,I'd go with the 15 year old.....he lives across the street and it's more convienent for you and your daughter.....also,if something happened,his mother is right there to help.....with this other woman having 5 other kids,I'd be worried about mine being neglected

Hi poppoppop111. Going back to school and starting school is going to cause a pretty big schedule change that will take time to work out so that everything fits. My daughter is 21 now and out on her own, but I can still remember the day care challenges I faced in those early years. I have had experience with a single sitter, a home day care and regular day care with various results. I must say that the single sitter worked out much better for me, but at that time, I didn't have to pay for daycare since a family member watched her in shifts around mine and hubbys schedule. The home daycare was more expensive and with 6-8 kids, it was rather annoying when I'd get there to pick her up & have to help find her. After seeing she'd crawled into a cabinet and fallen asleep, and that it wasn't the first time, I decided on a small regular daycare. That didn't work out much better as they have a higher class count and is not very good in the potty training phase, lol. Since you're beyond that already, I would recommend the 15 year old across the street as there will be sufficient backup if there is an emergency situation. Something you should probably discuss with him is an alternate sitter as backup just in case he can't get there in time for your daughter in the afternoon. At 15, you can never tell when something may come up, like detention, and you can't be there on time. I'm sure he can probably suggest a friend that he can get to fill in on an emergency basis and is something you should both be prepared for. You and your daughter would also want to meet and get to know the alternate ahead of time.

I would trust the kid better...It'll save you money and hassle of waking your child up earlier than normal. Plus if you know his family, you obviously trust him. Also god-forbid something happened while he was babysitting, his family is right there. I think he would be the better choice. Plus the other person has 5 children. So who says that your daughter won't get the right amount of attention...you know? She's use to being an only child so she probably likes the one-on-one attention.