Is 12 years old to young to babysit a small child?
If someone dropped off the small child at the 12 year old’s house and a responsible parent were around, I’d say sure. That’s basically paying the 12 year old to play with the kid, but on their own, I would not expect a 12 year old to know what to do in case of poisoning, choking or other serious problems.
It depends on the 12 years old and the small child. A mature 12 year old and a small child who know each other would probably be fine, especially if the child has had babysitter training. The Red Cross gives classes for kids, and certifies them in babysitting. They are taught basic child care and safety. I recommend it for kids who are going to babysit.
I personally cannot think of a single 12 year old that I would trust with my child. Not even myself at 12 years old, and I had been babysitting my younger siblings for at least five years by that point. A 12 year old cannot be expected to handle an emergency situation with clarity, judgment and reason. In case of emergency, a 12 year old cannot drive my son to the hospital.
