How long should I expect to continue paying babysitting costs?
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How long should I expect to continue paying babysitting costs?
My daughter is currently 12 years old. She goes to a babysitter 3-4 days a week depending on my
ex-wife’s work schedule. My ex wife works early mornings, so she drops her off at the sitter’s house, and the sitter gets her on the school bus. I was assuming when she turns 13, she would no longer need child care. However, my ex-wife informed me she would still be taking our daughter to a sitter in the mornings. I find this highly ridiculous, especially considering the school bus stops right in front of my ex-wife’s house. I feel at 13, my daughter should be old enough to get herself up in the morning and catch the bus. How long should I have to continue paying for this?
Asked on November 11, 2017 under Family Law, Illinois
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
Please refer to your stipulation of settlement. It is your contract between you and it governs. While the child abandonment law says that a child under 13 should not be left alione, there are many other factors to consider such as safety, maturity, how comfortable your child is with being alone, etc. Maybe your wife is worried that if someone knows that your daughter is alone in the morning she will become an easy mark? Perhaps a neighbor or friend the same age can help, dropping her there instead of a sitter? The needs of your child are primary here. Perhaps you could run over in the mornings until she boards the bus? That may solve all the issues. Good luck.
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