Is THIS fair?

[Kazanne]

I was a bit surprised when I read this story,I thought the age someone could babysit was 13 !! have I got it wrong? This seems really harsh especially when kids much younger are left alone or to babysit,Do you think at 14 someone is old enough?
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/227553/Police-caution-mum-for-leaving-son-14-to-mind-three-year-old-brother

[Marsh.]

I wouldn't leave someone that young in charge of a child who hasn't even started school yet.

But then again, she only nipped to the shops and a 14 year old is more than capable of keeping their eye on the kid for half an hour (depending on the child obviously) so the punishment seems a bit harsh.

[arista]

Its a bit young
if its not a Family member etc

[Roy Mars III]

the problem is not that the babysitter was 14(I babysat my brothers at that age as well) but that the other kid was only 3. I think if the other kid was seven or older, it would be a different story

[Kizzy]

Stupid! why are they making out someone of 14 is an infant!?
of course a 14yr old should be responsible to mind siblings... I bet 1000s do!

[Kazanne]

Cant help but think its a shame these cops weren't in Portugal a few years back.

[Josy]

I was sure the age of anyone in charge if a child had to be 16+

[Kazanne]

I was sure the age of anyone in charge if a child had to be 16+

It might be Josy,I just had it in my head the legal age was 13.I think a caution for 'cruelty' here was too harsh

[Kizzy]

I didn't think there was a legal age, I was babysitting for my nieces and nephews at 14. It's redic....

[mizzy25]

I thought it was ok @ 14?

[joeysteele]

There is no set law as to an age for babysitting, however there are recommendations from places like the NSPCC that no one under 16 should be left in charge of Children.
Obviously it is far safer too to leave them with a family member or at the very least someone who is well known to the family and children.

It is still it appears left to the common sense of the Parents as to who they leave their children with.
I looked after my Nephews and Nieces when I was 13 but only for a few hours.

[armand.kay]

I don't see anything wrong with what the mum did she only went to the shops for 30minutes and it was with a sibling.

14 year olds nowadays are having children of their own anyway

[smeagol]

its another case of people not living in the real world. cant be alone under 14 no way. might as well caution the whole country lol
just cops being cops and the goverment being nobs as normal

[Benjamin]

I don't see anything wrong with what the mum did she only went to the shops for 30minutes and it was with a sibling.



I don't see an issue either. I had to look after my sisters sometimes around that age.

Our country is getting so petty about the most obscure things while actual pressing matters get sidelined.

[smudgie]

I never left my kids alone at14, never mind had them babysitting anyone else.
Personal choice really.

[user104658]

There are plenty of responsible 14 year olds out there who are more capable of looking after a 3 year old than half of the mentally deficient "adult" parents in this country. This should only have been an issue if it was clear that that specific 14-year-old was not capable of looking after the child OR had specifically stated that he didn't want to / didn't feel comfortable looking after him. Age 3 is not a baby :/.

[user104658]

I never left my kids alone at14, never mind had them babysitting anyone else.
Personal choice really.

... :shocked: ... I was occasionally alone over-night at 14 :joker:. Then again, I hit 6' tall aged 12... so maybe that makes it different?

[Livia]

I used to babysit at 14. Mind you, I lived in a street full of family and people I knew. If something had gone wrong there were people around.

[smudgie]

... :shocked: ... I was occasionally alone over-night at 14 :joker:. Then again, I hit 6' tall aged 12... so maybe that makes it different?

Yes, some kids are mature a 14.
I suppose it depends on personal circumstances as well.
Some families don't have a lot choice.

[Ammi]

...hmmm, I'll just wait to see if anything else comes out with this story because there was a sentence in there that was a bit ambiguous and there might be more to this particular situation and a reason for the police actions...

[MTVN]

This story is actually from February 2011 so I wouldn't expect any updates any day soon lol

[Vicky.]

To me, it depends on the 14 year old..some are more mature than most adults

[Kazanne]

This story is actually from February 2011 so I wouldn't expect any updates any day soon lol

Is it really? Ah well flaming internet news:hugesmile: but still I wanted to know peoples opinions.

[Jessica.]

It really depends on the individual, my oldest niece was born when I was 10 and have been babysitting her for as long as I can remember, maybe age 12 at the latest, although I was very protective of her, only the parent can judge when someone is ready to have such a responsibility. Once when I was 11 I was carrying my niece to the garden, my cat ran through my legs and I started falling face first, I somehow managed to land on my back holding the unharmed 7 month old child up in the air with both arms, it still makes me laugh, I don't know how I did it. :joker:

My niece is 10 now, she takes her 2 year old sister to the shop a 10 minute walk away for example and always brings her back unharmed. I think you have to know the babysitter well before you trust them though.

[Niamh.]

How did the Police find out I wonder? I guess 3 is a bit young but 14 is old enough I reckon, I'm pretty sure I did babysitting when i was 14 :/ there's surely more to the story then the mother just popping out to the shop for half an hour?