In the past few weeks there have been 2 babysitting related fatalities in the news.  The first was the case out of Florida where the 12 year old boy reportedly beat a little 17 month old girl with a baseball bat.  Then just days later, here in Wichita, a 24 year old was arrested for the death of an 18 month old boy while in her care.  She says the toddler fell off the couch.  Doctors say his injuries weren't consistent with that story.

What I want to know is when is the appropriate age to allow someone to start babysitting?  Obviously it depends on their maturity, and the age of the children who are being watched.  But are there any good guidelines to follow?

And my next question is how much is the going rate for a good babysitter?  I'm not talking about daycare, which I understand is very expensive...I'm just talking about 4 hours on a Saturday night or something like that. I guess for right now my little ones will keep going to the grandmas.  I know we are very blessed to have so much family around, but I would like to give them a break some day and stories like these make me nervous.

As always, thanks for your thoughts!  See ya Saturday morning!