When I was younger my Dad encouraged me to create a babysitting website for girls…but until that day happens this is what I put together.
My Top Ten Babysitting Tips...
1) Inside a designated babysitting bag, have colored pencils, markers, or crayons [and paper!] in there when you watch children. [washable markers]
2) Keeping children occupied will keep them out of trouble. At least most of the time (:
3) Before parents leave make sure you ask about and/or have:
- Their contact information.
- Where are they going?
- Do the children have food allergies? [typically parents tell you before you ask. But don't hesitate to double check!!]
- What are the children allowed to do? [i.e. They may try to con you into thinking their parents let them "jump off the furniture all the time!"]
- Having an emergency contact is a must. If the parents/guardians do not have an emergency contact, which is highly unlikely, make sure you have an emergency contact you can call in case of emergency.
- Dial 911 for any emergency. Calling from a landline will help them locate where you are if you can't talk.
- Poison Control. Keep their phone number on you at all times while babysitting.
- For a poison emergency in the U.S. call 1-800-222-1222
- American Association of Poison Control Centers
4) Always use your best judgement when making decisions. You can always remind the children that you're not their parent, you're there to protect them and have fun with them! But, you will have "rules" they need to abide by while you are with them. Make sense? -- Expalin to them why you have put those rules into place. Children will typically behave better knowning they have to abide by those rules. It's important you have that structure for them. [note: while their parents are gone, most children will feel safer in your care with this structure.]
5) Be positive with the children. -- You want to build the children up. Not tear them down. --- Words can be deadly, choose wisely what you say.
6) PLAY with them. -- You'll become their favorite ;]
7) Bring an extra pair of clothes in your car and/or bag. [For example: What would you do if Susie gets sick all over you? Or, when you're simply out in the snow it's nice to put on dry socks when you come inside.]
8) If family or friends call: Please tell them what you're doing and then try to figure out a better time to talk.--- When baysitting, you are being paid to watch their children, not sit on the phone and talk. [Or, go on Facebook, instagram, or any other apps!]
9) Babies: Know what they can and cannot eat and how to prepare their food.
10) A possible game: In-Door Tennis
- Use two old wire hangers and bend it to an oval shape. [Or however many children you have.]
- Place over it pantyhose and then cut off the extra. [tie it in a knot first.]
- Blow up several balloons.
- Create some boundary lines in the room where you are playing.
- Begin playing!
- [You can also create your own game instead of tennis!]
BE CREATIVE and HAVE FUN (-=
