Is an Almost 12 Year Old Okay to Watch Sleeping Kids for a Few Hours?

How old are the children? Is there any chance that any of the children will wake up while you are gone? Is the babysitter experienced? CPR? First Aid?

In Maryland the age for a babysitter is 13. I took a babysitting course at my church when I was 11 (6th grade) and started babysitter for a family friend at that time. They lived less than a mile from my parents house. Generally I went over around 8, the parents would put the younger 2 in bed before they left (they were 18 mos and 3 yrs). Around 9 I put the older one to bed (she was 6). Then I would watch t.v., play online and talk on the phone until the parents came home, which was generally some time between midnight and 2 AM.

I was very mature for my age, and as I said, my parents were less than a mile away. Now, 14 years later, I am a full-time nanny and still babysitting nights and weekends! Its something I trully love and the money is pretty good.

Ultimately the decision is up to you. Use your judgement to determine what you are comfortable with.

I'm pretty sure the legal age for a non-relative babysitter in Maryland is 13 years old. I have two 12 year old neighbors and both their parents have let me know that once they turn 13 and they have taken some state babysitter course and infant CPR, they will be able to babysit.
Children that are 8 and older can be left alone for up to 4 hours by Maryland law. This isn't for babysitting, though.
I'm not sure how old your children are, but I have three children 6 yrs and under and I am uncomfortable with leaving them alone with anyone who hasn't finished high school! All of our sitters are from the daycare center they go to during the day... and the youngest we've used is 18. Like you, my main concern is what happens if there is an emergency. Is an 11 year old (almost 12) mature enough to handle it? I'm not sure... so, I won't chance it. Go with your gut. If you are concerned now, and something does happen, will you think it was worth the chance?

I say that if you are feeling at all uncomfortable with the situation then you shouldn't do it...how well you know the girl and if you think that she can handle it is a decision that you have to make...Personally if i was in your situation and i really trusted the twelve year old i would see no problem in it...My thing would be whether i feel that she is reliable and mature enough to do it and not so much her age because i am sure there are more mature 11 or 12 years olds compared to some sixteen year olds!

i was under the impression (at least in md) that the age to be left alone was 9. but i think this a gut decision. i know that boys are differant then girls and i was babysitting at that age, so i think its really how YOU feel. if you are ok with it, then you will have a good time out, but if your not, then you wont. also, maybe once you meet her and get a gut feeling, maybe you will feel better. hope it works out for you

i thought the age for babysitting in MD was 13.
my personal, and only personal thought on this is no.
but the couples could alternate, one night the otehr couple watches your kdis and another night you do it for them.