Age your child sat for your own kids?

What age should older kids should watch there younger brothers and sisters? My daughter is only 9 and I would never dream of having her stay home alone with her brother who turns 1 on the 16th. Her best friend, Becca, stays home with her younger brother who is 3, while mum goes to the post office or to get milk. I think 9 is way to young. What are your thoughts?

Chris, my 17 y/o son used to watch our three year old, Nicholas. When Nicholas was under one, but over six months,  and Chris was 15 he  would keep an eye on him after he went down at night. When Nicholas was over one Chris would watch him during the day. There were never any problems.

I would be a bit worried to leave a child that young with a baby - they just aren't equipped to handle real emergencies. It's a bit of a crap shoot, I think.

My cousin was 11 when she started watching her young cousins.  Maybe 9 is ok to stay home alone for an hour or two but to watch a 3 year scares me.  I mean, I was still playing with Barbies and dolls-I don't think I could be responsible for a one year old at that age. 

I think under 12 is too young even for a few minutes.  We started leaving the then 13 year old alone with the five year old to run quick errands.  We then went to longer errands and last summer she watched her (7) while I worked.  Now (16) she babysits for the neighbors.  But seriously 9 is way too young. 

I was 13 when I started babysitting but I also did reading groups to 9 year olds at that age.

My sister was 12 when she was allowed to watch me whilst my mom nipped out.  But I was 8, not a baby or toddler.  She was able to truly babysit me at 14, which I hated b/c at 10 it really peeved me that she was 'the boss'. 

I was 11 when I started to babysit for money (for kids in our neighbourhood) and had a pretty good business going by the time I was 12/13! I was a very mature (looking and acting) and responsible kid, but I'm not sure I'd trust someone that young with my kids now that we're in the planning stages of our own family! Who knows. It would depend on the kid!

I was even younger when I started watching my brothers, (one six years younger and one 11 years younger), unpaid of course.
My Mom and Dad got lots of childcare out of me, now that I think of it! Some of my favourite childhood memories are from these times, though- I used to sing to my brothers at bedtime- taking requests!  Firm favourites were "Wildfire" and "Maybe" from Annie hehe Such nice memories!

Aww...only I can get weepy over a babysitting thread!

My oldest was about 14 when he started watching his younger brother who was then 7.

I'll never forget getting to my (now ex) sister in law's house to pick up my kids when she was babysitting for me and finding she'd left to go somewhere leaving my then 6 month old in the care of 3 boys (her 2 and my oldest) all under the age of 12. She said it was only for a few minutes...she had to go pick her daughter up from school.