how old were your kids?

[jipped genes]

Tweetwhen you left them alone for the first time?

[daved150]

Tweetnight time or a few hrs during the day?..for an afternoon type thing, like after school while we're at work, it was at 11yrs old for my daughter and 12 for my oldest son (now 18). at both homes, here and in fla, we had retired people living next door and my daughter did that babysitting class thing. in fla, my son only had to stay by himself for about an hr, then his mom would get home. we had retiree's next door as well. imo, it has to do with the majurity level of the kid in question. i was left at home starting at 11yrs old. my mom came home first, but not untill 6-7pm and i got home from school at 3. never had a prob. and we never have had a prob. with our kids either

[McKenzie]

TweetWhat Dave said...10, 11...almost 12, but never over an hour or so.

[daved150]

Tweeti got nieghbors that get a baby sitter for their 14yr old!!! she (the 14yr old) is an A student and very respectful. it's so phuqed up the way they got this girl clued down...i sent my daughter over there with her certificate of clompleation for the babysitting class and had her ask them what the job pay's!! lmfao...you shoulda seen my man's face...he politly told her thank you, and they will be talking to a few others first! some parents choke their kids too hard! i feel sorry that, this girl will be noway prepaired for life when she leaves the nest....

[McKenzie]

Tweet^ How does one/or she become certified in babysitting?

[daved150]

Tweetthey have classes at the schools up here, after compleation, you get a certificate. they teach 911, cpr, safty things to watch for. they have different levels, like for 1-3yr olds, 4-6yr olds, ect. it's a good program..my daughter got very high marks for infints, and toddlers.(they dont have a 14-18level, lol).

[diggi]

Tweetdidn't know there was a cert. for a baby sitter but it does make sense alot..

[daved150]

Tweetmaybe just a local thing? i dont know, but people actually ask!

[Scalleywag]

Tweet^ they have the class here through the YMCA and the Red Cross.

[Scalleywag]

TweetMy daughter was 11 the first time I left her but I only went to the gym for about an hour. She called half way through my workout and said she was scared so i had to come home. I got home and she had this place locked up tighter than Fort Knox. She asked me for a password and ID card before she let me in.

Shes almost 12 and shes good now though.

[jipped genes]

Tweetdaycare during the summer is killing us. we have an afterschool program during the school year which is cheap but we pay $140 a week.

my son will be 10 next summer, my wife and I have been talking about letting him stay at home (with strict rules)

i can stop by any time i want as long as i dont have a call to go to.

i guess we shall see

[daved150]

Tweet

daycare during the summer is killing us. we have an afterschool program during the school year which is cheap but we pay $140 a week.

my son will be 10 next summer, my wife and I have been talking about letting him stay at home (with strict rules)

i can stop by any time i want as long as i dont have a call to go to.

i guess we shall see

my oldest, i wouldnt have done that. my youngest now is 8...i think that kid would almost be fine now!!! each kid is on a different responcability level. me and my wife just assed it, and was honest with it. we live in the country, there's good neighbors around at all times, and my kids now when a situation is an emergancy and when it's not. they dont cry wolf. if the boy is responcible and has been taught right and wrong and the various things to do in an emegancy, if there is other adults, that you can trust, in the neighborhood that would be available, god forbid something happened, then i dont see the prob.

[pigmeat]

Tweetmy kids were left home for 30 min alone after school stating at 7&9....the bus dropped them off, and the old lady didnt get home for anothr 30-35 min...we live ina good neighorhood, in a small town so it was all good...hell the kids 5&6 years old all walk to school with their friends everyday...the ones within 6 or 7 blocks do anyways.....glad my kids dont have to live in a city!!!!!

[McKenzie]

TweetOMG...i'd be a nervous wreck...I couldnt let a 5&6 yr old walk to school....especially girls. I believe they should stick together, one cant go without the other and they must have their cell phones.

[daved150]

Tweet

OMG...i'd be a nervous wreck...I couldnt let a 5&6 yr old walk to school....especially girls. I believe they should stick together, one cant go without the other and they must have their cell phones.

cell phones!!! lol...i wont give my kids cell phones until their 16!!....ofcorse, they dont need one sitting at home, do they?
we live in a small town, and the kids run in pack's, so it wouldnt bug me either....