Can People Be too Old to Babysit?
By worldwise1
@worldwise1 (14885)
United States
September 21, 2007 9:53pm CST
I posted on another issue that led me to this discussion. I have thought for a long time that sometimes people who are babysitting have just become too old for the job. This is not discrimination-it's just common sense. Many older people suffer the effects of senility or dementia. This, in my opinion, should be taken into account before parents decide to leave their children in their care. Because their minds are not always working at full capacity, they become untrustworthy. I know that I do not have the patience that I once had when it comes to dealing with small children. A couple of hours is alright, but I will draw the line at anything more. Before my mother passed away some of the great-grandchildren would take their babies there for her to watch. I did not approve of this because I knew that her health was failing. I held my tongue, though, because they were not my grandchildren who were foisting their children upon a sick, elderly old woman. I just don't think that anyone who has passed the age of 80 should be watching children unless it is an emergency.
5 people like this
7 responses
@tifluvnick (52)
• United States
22 Sep 07
I am going to say I agree with you and that even 80 may be too old. My grandmother is in her 60s and to full mental capacity and plus has 21 grandchildren many of which she has helped raise including myself. But its still very exhausting on her when she has the younger ones around because they constantly run around. My other grandmother is 75 and can hardly handle it when my brother and sister who are 12 and 14 come over. Not that she isn' mentally capable, she just is used to her quiet way of life and likes to keep it that way. If an elderly person is getting old enough to where their health is in question, they should not be in charge of someone else's health. If something were to happen it would be horrible damaging to everyone involved when the parent should know the health of them in the first place. So yes, I agree... age should be taken into consideration.
@dreamy1 (3811)
• United States
22 Sep 07
I think as long as you're active and lively and physically able then there shouldn't be an age limit. Yes if an 80 year old is basically incapacitated can't move and is basically a vegetable then of course they are in no shape to look after anyone. But if a 100 year old is spry and has all their mental and most physical facilities then they should be able to babysit if they are physically and mentally up to handle it.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Sep 07
When people get to be of a certain age, tifluvnick, I really don't think it is right to even ask them to babysit. There are exceptions to every rule, but speaking for myself, I am tired of babysitting after all of the grandchildren and some of the great-grandchildren. It's not that I'm incapable-I just feel that I've done my share.
@tifluvnick (52)
• United States
27 Sep 07
I think that's a really good point. There shouldn't be a forcing issue, it should be the choice of whoever is babysitting. It's not fair to make you babysit and it's hard to say no because it's not like you love them any less and it's ok to just not feel like it. Very understandable
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
22 Sep 07
Most definitely people are too old to watch children, heck I am only 48 years old and I feel sometimes I am too watch my granddaughter, just I don't have the patience anymore like I used to when I was raising my children and when that happens I call my daughter and tell her I am done, can't do it that day (of course I babysit 4-5 days a week for her) so she doesn't mind when that day comes cause I help her out so much. But when children are at the toddler age they are just into everything that I think it effects people that are not used to being around kids all the time.
@marciascott (25529)
• United States
22 Sep 07
Hi, Lorie that is right we don't have the patience like we use to have, I agree with you. I had oneof My grand twins yesterday, he gets into everything, terrible 2. Then all the noise, I can't take it to long, I half to go and get some peace. have a nice week-end!
@marciascott (25529)
• United States
22 Sep 07
I think I am getting to old to baby-sit, because I have 2 grand fraternal, twins, they are 2 years old, and I can't keep with, they get into to much, I had one of my Grand-twins, and he is something else, always into something you half to keep your eyes on him at all times, he wore me out yesterday, I had to keep running after him. I was glad to take him home, he should of been a track star, because he runs very fast.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
25 Sep 07
I don't think most 80 year olds would have the ability to take care of little kids. Most cannot get around good and have health problems.
@pismeof (855)
• United States
22 Sep 07
I think that a responsible parent should certainly be taking into account a person's capacity both physical as well as mental before dumping their children off to be babysat.
You are to make a judgement based on a worse case scenario of how or if that person could handle a given situation.
@gwendovere (1279)
• United States
22 Sep 07
Yes & no. Age is a state of mind. But when the mind starts to go and/or the body is not strong enough to care for others, it's time to find a new babysitter.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
22 Sep 07
I am in my mid fifties and my two year old granddaughter gives me a run for my money....I don't believe that someone who is eighty could possibly be considered a good prospect for babysitting! I do think someone can be too old.
