Do you think babysitting jobs for young girls help prepare them for motherhood?

In our community the Red Cross offers babysitting classes for kids who are eleven and older. I think it is good for them to take the classes and then when they pass the class do some babysitting or help in the church nursery. In fact nursery situations are better because they are usually supervised by an adult who will help them with any problem that comes along.

Not that it makes a difference but I am interested in knowing how old your daughter is? Did you not have any other children that are a bit younger than her that she maybe changed a diaper or two when she was younger? Does she now live in the city now and has she not taken any prenatal classes where they teach you how to take care of a baby? I am just wondering these things. I am 28 years old and don't have any children yet but I was lucky enough to babysit when I was younger so I got to learn how to take care of a baby. I also took babysitting classes in school when I was 11 years old. When I was in school we didn't have a choice but to take the class. It was compulsary. But I am glad I took it because then when I turned 12 years old I was allowed to babysit so I do have quite a bit of experience for when I am ready to have a baby. They will also teach your daughter a little bit about how to take care of a baby in the hospital. But it would be good if you could go help her. I think you don't mind anyways because it sounds like it might be your first grandchild. When my brother had his first baby, the baby will be 2 years old in November, my mother flew out to be with them for a couple weeks. My sister in-law didn't need my mom's help so much but my mom just wanted to be there since it was her first grandchild and she was pretty excited about it. Good luck to you and your new grandchild, Littlemissy saying talk to you later

I think that it might make them realise that having a baby isn't simply the amazing experience that a lot of people seem to think that it is. Far too many people just seem to think that all there is about having a baby is feeding and changing it, and they don't have any idea about how time consuming that can actually be. However, I think that your daughter will be fine because new Mums have to learn a lot about parenting in the first couple of days of their baby being born. People worry about how they're going to cope, but the majority of people find that they just warm to it and manage perfectly well.

Hi Kizzy Cat fish: Actually I haven't thought about this, but now that you mentioned it, I think it's a good preparation not only for teenage girls but also for boys who in the future would be fathers too. I think that a preparation like this could help improve their skills and also to value the work from their parents. ALVARO

When I was around 10 to 11 years old, I used to babysit my nieces and nephews. But they were already around 3 months old when I was able to handle them. Somehow I managed to learn how to change diapers and prepare their infant formula. It is quite hard to do that job at a very early stage but since they are my nieces and nephews that I loved so dearly, I was able to tolerate their tantrums and dealt with all the difficulties. Baby sitting other people not from my family is I think another thing. I haven't tried it yet on a long term basis so I don't know how it's gonna be making a difference in our experience. But going back to your question, somehow, it would help perhaps in a way like carrying a baby, feeding, burping and changing diapers. At least they can familiarize themselves how it's going to be when they have their own.

ya,no doubt about it,not only it prepare girls for their motherhood also make them to be patience and give many good personalities, i have many friends who babysitters. after several months of working in this field i feel the difference from them, i recommend it for teens

I think it is a good idea for them to start baby sitting so they can have experience. They will then find out not just to change a diaper but also to know the experience of having a child. It is a pretty hard experience to have a child.

I think it is a good idea. When I was sixteen I worked in a daycare with the 6 weeks to one year old babies. I told my parents it was the best birth control anyone could ever give a person. And of course there are the practical things you learn like diapers.

I do think it would be a good idea for them to be around babies for awhile before having their own children. It would teach them what it is like in some ways. It wouldnt show them how they will be up all night with a crying baby and only getting a few hours of sleep. It probably wont teach them to bathe a newborn or how it feels to have post partum depression. But it will teach them the basics and for some new moms that might be a really good thing to have that little experience ahead of time.

Hi Kizzy, indeed young girls should be allow to learn babysit, so that they are well-prepared for their future motherhood. I helped my mum to taking care my younger sister and brother when i was only 15 years old. At that time, my mother was diagnosed with diabetes and having the complication. She was hospitalized for a few days, so left me alone to taking care both of them. Because my father still need to go to work at that time. At first it seems quite difficult but over time, i see myself quite familiar with the daily process of taking care of them. I giving birth my son a few years ago and see myself don't have any problem taking care of him until now. Seems like, an early hands-on experience in taking care children do gives a good babysitting knowledge to me.

Good point, kizzy! I too don't know how to change a diaper. I'm hoping my mom or in-law would help me when the time comes. Maybe, it's really good to have babysitting experience..

Haven't she thought of learning how to do things for her upcoming baby before she gave birth to her son? Doing that, would have prepared her well for that big event. However, as her mother you can teach her the basics in taking care of the baby. Then, her maternal instinct will just come out.

yes.each and every girl should know atleast something about baby sitting.if they know basic things like how to handle the newborn baby,how to carry them,diaper changing etc,it will be useful for them in future.it will also make mom like you to feel relax that their daughter knows something about babysitting.

I think that your daughter will eventually learn babysitting. It may be hard at first, yes. As the mom, join her at times to help her. But still, young girls must at least try babysitting so that it won't be hard during motherhood. :))

Yeah. I think if girls are mature enough to be a good babysitter, then I think it would be a good experience for them.

I think that it is a very good idea to let a 13 to 16 year old girl do some baby sitting. She could learn how to change a diaper, give the baby his or her feed and how to hold the baby. When I was a teenager my secondary school let the girls do a course on baby care. Some of the girls needed this because they got pregnant quite young. I worked as a children's nanny in Finland when I was 18 years old and when I was 20 to 21 years old I did some work as a children's nanny in Australia. So I was well prepared when my baby son was born. I was 22 years old by then. Good luck to your daughter with baby Carter when he is born. I am sure with some help she will learn how to look after him.

Yep. I think they should have babysitting jobs... or even just assist in caring for a younger sibling.

Well I'm not convinced about it. Few years ago when I was nursing student I had some practice on Maternity Ward. I learn how to change dippers and bath newborns and take care of their basic needs but this experience did not convinced me that I would be good mother. Kids needs more than taking care of their basic needs and those skills are not something that you can learn.

I think teenage baby sitting job are good eye openers for teenagers because it shows how hard it would be to have your own child and it helps build experience for when they become a parent