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I have a new theory called the Babysitting Theory that posits that plans with friends did not go away because of phones or COVID but because babysitters are no longer a common thing

From like 12 to 14 years old, I had a lucrative babysitting business. One of the parents always picked me up from my home and drove me back. Kept my pockets full of mall money. One of the families even hired me to clean their house on Saturdays. Does this not work anymore?

Most people don’t even think a kid that age can be alone by themselves anymore, much less responsible for other kids. And a lot of parents wouldn’t trust the charges’ parents to drive their kid.

I once babysat some kids (3 of them ages like 4-8) and their CAT DIED (old age) the night I was there. The dad came home and put the cat in a bag outside and then returned to event. The 4 year old kept asking me when kitty would come back. I was like 13.

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The couple that hired me to clean their house were a disaster. She stayed home, they had 2 rowdy boys, and she never cooked or cleaned. Whenever I was there I cooked lasagne or something that would last for a few days, then I scrubbed toilets and changed diapers. I was also like 13 at tthe time

I do think it’s fine for a teen to watch a kid for a couple hours in a low key situation but we were definitely both in over our heads!