Comments on: 7 Reasons You Need a Date Without Kids

By: For Subscribers 02-08-08 : MInTheGap

For Subscribers 02-08-08 : MInTheGap — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:50:37 +0000

[...] 7 Reasons You Need a Date Without Kids [...]

By: MamaArcher

MamaArcher — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 23:35:34 +0000

We started when our oldest was 13. Never for really long periods of time and they were not to answer the door AT ALL! It really depends on maturity. To be honest, in our experience, the girls are better than the boys and can be younger too. MamaArcher's last blog post..Discernment

By: Mandy Houk

Mandy Houk — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:08:38 +0000

Great post — and so true (all seven!).As for babysitting ages, it depends a lot on the maturity level of the teen you’re talking about. Some will be ready at 13 (that’s when I started); others won’t be until 15 or older. That being said, our oldest girl is extremely responsible, and is usually kinder and more nurturing to her little sister than I am. Seriously. We started letting her be home alone, during the day, for 1/2 hour or so when she was eleven. I’d run to the grocery store with the younger one and see how eldest did by herself. She was not allowed to answer the phone (unless I called with our special “signal”). She was, clearly, not allowed to answer the door. And I had my cell phone in case she needed anything or felt the least bit uncomfortable.After she was completely comfortable staying home by herself, we asked her if she’d be okay taking care of her little sister. She enthusiastically agreed. So, now that she’s 12 years old (and her sister is 9), we will sometimes go out for a quick coffee or lunch date, or even an early dinner. We never stay out for longer than an hour and a half, and we’re always home before bedtime. We really let her comfort level dictate, so I’m not sure when she’ll feel ready to handle more. (I frankly think she could handle it now, but I’d rather wait until she believes it herself.)

By: MInTheGap

MInTheGap — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:55:49 +0000

Virtuous Blonde actually asked me the other day about what age kids can start babysitting. I said that I didn’t think it was until close to 16 (if there are other little ones). What’s been your experience?

By: MamaArcher

MamaArcher — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:43:37 +0000

It is so wonderful when your older children are old enough to babysit! It seems it took forever to get to that point but I sure enjoy it now! MamaArcher's last blog post..A Double Rainbow

By: MInTheGap

MInTheGap — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:17:08 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement. This is one of those things that we all know we need but we all neglect to do. I’m starting to think through things that I can do with Virtuous Blonde in the time coming up that’s new that we haven’t tried just to do something different!

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:43:00 +0000

Even re-reading this I got a great chuckle at the ending! Excellent advice, and boy do DH and I need some time away...it's been one thing after another for a long time. We almost got a date night/full night away, but our friends called to cancel their babysitting for us, b/c of sick kids, and it turned out that we would have had to cancel on them anyway, b/c the day before my 7 yo started her high fever ordeal. So, we still have it to look forward to! Yay. Sigh.This is a great reminder, just in time to plan something for an evening around V-day. We dislike going out on V-day itself, as every restaurant is packed out as it is. Mary's last blog post..How Does God See Us?

By: For Subscribers 02-06-08 : MInTheGap

For Subscribers 02-06-08 : MInTheGap — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:17:05 +0000

[...] you’re like me, it’s hard to find a sitter, and there are more than 7 reasons why you need a date without the kids! Sphere: Related ContentIf you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for [...]