If she was ignoring the boy and talking on the phone then that's a problem. But if she was just making a quick call and he didn't come to bother her, then there is no big deal. I bet all you chastising her for talking on the phone have never baby-sat a kid a day in your life.

Your fault.

That's what you get for using a VCR. What are you, some kind of hobo?

This happened to my cousin. He was babysitting my younger cousin (his brother) who was like, 4 or 5 at the time, and they got in a fight over taking his toy away. He ended up chasing the little brother around the house, who ran into the kitchen, called 911 and yelled 'my brother's being mean to me!' and hung up. Cops came over, it was embarrassing for all. The kid got taught what a *real* emergency was that night.

Okay, so how do you all know it wasn't the VCR in his room? And then he went and used the phone in either the hall or his mother's room. I know I've called my mother because I couldn't remember if I'd turned off my straightening iron (I had, just couldn't remember doing it). Five is plenty old enough to play alone. To me, this is a case of the parent not teaching the kid the right and wrong time to call 911.

Oh, and I have a VCR and so did my boss at my last baby-sitting job.

I don't think it's you fault (depending on the scenario). Though, I don't think your life is F'ed either. If anything this is a funny story about a 5 year old kid that hopefully knows now what a ''real'' emergency is. People just OVER exaggerate both with their criticisms and also with reasons as to why their life is F'ed.

you should always be watching a small child even if you're on the phone. and make sure they don't use the phone especially!

Do your job next time, and that won't happen.

did you spank him