Wait a sec…are you talking about *our * son?
j/k…he really is a good kid, and I trust him. I just know that this is one of those things on the List of Things that Step-Parents Can’t Sugggest ™, along with strippers, military school, and haircuts.
It sounds like you’ve raised a great kid. 
I was babysitting my sister when I was nine years old. I’m the exception to the rule though. I was reading before I turned two, I was in every gifted and talented program in the San Antonio (where we lived before Nevada) school system, and I taught myself how to cook on the stove when I was five. MOST kids aren’t like that, but I’d say 15 is plenty old enough. When I was 15 I had two jobs, school, and a lot of extracurricular activities - kids would have been easy compared to the crap I went through at that point in time.
Good luck, and have fun! Don’t worry too much.
~Tasha
When I was growing up, girls at least were expected to be able to babysit pretty much anything younger than themselves by the age of 12. Thus, when we were 13 or 14 my friend and I were babysitting her 3 year old brother when – horrors-- he broke a mirror and cut himself pretty badly, necessitating a call to 911. We called promptly, the paramedics came and took him to the hospital, and although her mother was unreachable for hours (pre-cell phone era), the kid was fine. I say this not to scare you, but to give an example that if something does go wrong, and this particular thing could easily have gone wrong with mom at home, kids of that age can rise to the occasion and take quick, correct action.
I just wanted to post that I once had a really similar configuration of boys, age-wise (the baby is now 10), and the older ones were not in favor of babysitting.
They thought I ought to hire a teen-aged girl. They even had some recommendations. One recommendation apiece as I recall.
Right. That sounded like an excellent idea. The 14- (or 16-) year-old girl could babysit the baby while the 14- and 16-year-old boys . . . did what exactly? Oh, she’s babysitting all of them?
I hate to think what a girl would have charged me for that.
(And I would like to add that if I, as a teenaged babysitter, had run into a situation like that, my mom would have most certainly not let me take the job.)
Okay, I have decided that I will do this. I trust my son. He’ll be fine, and he’s always been a child that thrives when given responsibility.
All the necessary phone numbers will be listed for him, and their grandmother has promised to also call every couple of hours to check on them. I will do the same, but I truly do believe things will be okay.
It’s amazing for me to look at him now, and see the man he has become. Sure, he’s had his less than stellar moments, but there’s never been a time when I didn’t think I could count on him. He was my first child, born when I was 20 years old -my original side kick, and we went everywhere together. I clearly remember holding him in my arms for the first time, and now it is both terrifying and extremely satisfying to witness the fruit of my labors in creating a first class human being. He’s not just a good kid, he’s a respectable young man. It’s time for me to let go of the baby he was and embrace the adult he’s about to become.
You were right, Thudlow Boink, it’s more than just the idea of him being in charge for a night. It’s the knowledge it’s time for him to start shouldering these kinds of responsibilities in the regular course of his life. It makes a mom slightly teary, and not just a little apprehensive.
Okay, my maudlin mom moment is over. Thanks for the advice, everyone!
Your kid is clearly trustworthy. You’re being paranoid and overprotective.
Seriously, who do you hire as a babysitter if your mom can’t do it? Most people hire a teenager. You know your son better than any other teenager out there.
Obviously, people used to hire you as a teenager to watch their children, and I assume you don’t think they were being irresponsible. By refusing to trust your clearly suitable son with a responsibility that even much younger teens can handle, you send a message to him that you do not believe he can be trusted the way other responsible teens are trusted–whether you intend to send that message or not.
Sorry if this sounds harsh, but I really think that society’s pressure on parents to be uber-cautious with their kids is actually infantilizing them to an unhealthy degree. In just three years, your son will be an adult. It’s a big leap from overprotected child to being out on one’s own. Loosen your grip on the reins now and give him some experience in taking on adult responsibilities. It’s important for him.
Sorry, got all worked up after reading the OP and replied without going further. You’ve made a good decision.
Please don’t ring him every couple of hours, and make sure grandma doesn’t either. That is just indicates you aren’t really convinced that he can ‘do’ it.
Leave the onus upon him to call if there is some sort of crisis (which I’m damned sure there won’t be) and everyone will have a fine night.
But do let him know that it’s alright to ring if need be, that he won’t be punished for ringing - sometimes it’s necessary to pass things up the ladder.
Shit! I knew I’d turn into my mother sooner or later! 
Usually it’s a coworker of my husband’s (she has three boys, too) or one of the girls from the university where my husband works. I’ve never hired a teenager before mostly because I didn’t know any kids that were older than my children and younger than college-age.
I agree, and I have been trying to let go more and more. He’s been on several cross country trips to car races with only his uncle for company. I realize that doesn’t sound very adventurous, but a couple of those trips have been to the Indy 500.* He’s held down a part-time job in my brother’s shop changing oil, washing cars, and doing other menial repair tasks. I don’t monitor his internet usage or his phone calls other than to say"Don’t show naked ladies to your little brothers", and “Please call after 8, so I’m not charged for the minutes, but don’t call too late, either 'cause the other person’s parents might get mad and think you’re up to no good”.
I also failed to clarify earlier in the thread that I’ve allowed the older two to stay home on their own before. This would be the first time I’ve added the pre-schooler to the mix, and usually when the youngest had to stay as well was when we made arrangements for a sitter/grandma thing.
*Mom? Why do all those ladies flash their boobs at you? Some of them really shouldn’t be doing that. Guess what Mom!? Uncle X let me drive all the way through Missouri! :dubious: :smack: :eek:
Okay, I’ve downgraded you. That sounds a lot more reasonable.
It would be really good for the kid, too, to develop independence. Too many parents coddle their kids and when the kids grow up, they have no idea how to survive.
Based on my childhood experiences, I will give you a couple of tips. You should not assume that your son is available to baby-sit at your convenience. Give him several days notice and accept it if he says no. He should be paid the going rate for your area and you shouldn’t withhold payment because your displeased by something that
occurred while he was in charge. Not hiring him again is OK, not paying him is not (catastrophes excepted).