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What do you look for in a young babysitter?

I am 11 years old and am very responsible. I have successfully completed the American Red Cross Babysitters Course so I know basic fist aid, and do exceptionally well in school. My report card is all A's and 4's, and I have won several awards including the P Residents Award of Excellence, the Modern Woodmen of America Speech Contest award, the Star Student:Math award, and I am in a GT (gifted and talented) class. I have participated in a WCATY (Wisconsin center of academically talented youth) class and also have taken DARE (Drug abuse resistance education) and Fire safety. I am an active member of our community church, I love reading and writing in my spare time, and love children! I have babysat before for kids aged 2-8 and enjoyed every minute of it. I am in several clubs including Site Council, AARK (amazing American resource kids) and CAW (cultures around the world). I'd normally charge around 2.00 an hour.

This was not an advertisement, but a question. Would you hire me? Like, do I seem responsible enough to watch your children for short periods of time? If not, what sort of things should I accomplish before becoming a babysitter? Thank you!
Liv: Sorry if I misspelled your name- I do know how to do what you said, pardon me for forgetting to mention the basics! I know how to make meals fun, such as ants on a log or smiley face pancakes, and persuade picky toddlers that beans are "body buddies" and are super delicious :)

Public Comments

1. get a bit older first

2. i really do not care about your school accomplishments when you babysit my kids but i would hire you... i would look to see if you were a good person

3. lol @ john! I agree....

4. Well you sound like a bright, ambitious young lady, but I have to tell ya, 11 is just too young. You may well be very responsible for your age, but what would you do if the kids pulled a piece of furniture on themselves that weighs twice as much as you, or falls in the pool, these are potentially panic situations and even someone years older may not be able to react.

5. i think you sound like a wonderful, smart girl. your parents must be very proud and your rate for babysitting is very low that's a good thing along with the experience. however i personally think you are a little young. i wouldn't hire someone under 14 but there are people out there who will. why don't you take an ad on your church bulletin. good luck

6. I'm sorry but you lost me in the first five words. I could never allow an 11 year old to watch my son, no matter how experienced and qualified she was. Sorry. I don't think it's even legal, not where I am anyway.

7. I don't look for a young babysitter.. period. Sorry, but my son is the most important thing to me and I would not trust him in the hands of a child. Although you may have some experience... what would happen if there were an emergency and you needed to get somewhere? You can't drive.. not for years. At 11 years old I really don't think you're mature enough to handle any situation that could come your way. I know you think you are.. I thought I was. Now that I'm older I look back and realize I was just a kid. I think you're on a great path to becoming a babysitter.. but you really need to just get a bit older. I honestly wouldn't leave my son with anyone until he was at least 2 years old.. and even then probably just a family member. I would never leave my son with someone who was too young to even drive. If I was looking for someone I would prefer someone who is in college or grad school and pay them well. Probably $10/hr per for one child... or $16 for two kids. $20/hr+ for 3. Charging $2/hr you might get some people who aren't able to pay more and less protective.. but it might be hard to find work. I really wouldn't let you watch my child for free.. or if you were paying me. Not till you were at least 16.. although I would prefer older.

8. I'm a babysitter myself, and I think that you would be good. Just have the people you've babysat for in the past make recommendations to your new clients. Also, you're price is pretty good, but some people charge up to $10 an hour. Keep babysitting :) . Maybe you could babysit with someone a little older than you too.

9. I have an 11 year old who is very responsible and a great kid. She helps out with her 2 sisters all the time and is a huge help. That said, I have never left her alone to care for her sisters. So while I'm sure you'd do a great job, I personally wouldn't be comfortable using you as a sitter. You sound like you'd be a great mother's helper though. You know, a mature kid that adults pay to take care of and entertain their kids while they take care of household chores? I can tell you for sure Mother's helpers are wonderful and worth every penny if you can find a good one. So if you find that you're having trouble getting sitting jobs because of your age you might change your advertisement to "mother's helper" People would be amazed at how much faster they can get housework done when someone else is handling the kids! Then in a year or so those folks who have been using you for a helper will be sure to ask you first when they need a baby sitter. Good Luck!

10. I'm extremely sorry but I would be looking for a babysitter FOR my 11 year old son... Wait until your at least 15, that's a good age to start and your experience won't go away so your sure to be hired when your just a little older. And if you want to earn money you can get your parents to pay you for chores you do around the house! :)

11. i am like you but im not a baby sitter in my point of view you should know how to cook clean make decent snacks for pickey eaters play fun games that involve all the kids and do not take a nap with the baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

12. Don't care what kind of training you have.
Don't care how mature you think you are at 11. Your still a child. Children don't watch children. You may think you could handle an emergency fine, but at 11 I think I'm not willing to take that chance.
Bottom line, at 11 I wouldn't hire you. I waited 5 years to be a mommy the first time. We're trying for our second child. My little boy is 2 years old and he is my world and quite honestly I wouldn't be comfortable leaving an 11 year old in charge.