The Mission of a Christian

Do you want to know the secrets on becoming the best babysitter on the block?  Here are some tips that will not only keep the kids begging to have you over again, but will have the parents nodding in approval and recommending you to others.  Some of these tips may be obvious, but hey, they are all essential to becoming the best babysitter!

Just a side note, the following suggestions may vary depending on the age group of the kids you are babysitting.

1. First and foremost, you’re main priority is to keep the kids safe, and always know what to do in case of an emergency!  Parents just want to know that their children are in safe hands.
2. Some other safe advice to follow, though maybe obvious but none-the-less extremely important are these:  Never answer the door to someone you don’t know and never tell anyone on the phone that you are home alone with the kids or babysitting.  Talking to the kids about this ahead of time is probably smart.  You want to make it clear that the kids understand that when you are babysitting, you are to be the first one to answer the door and/or phone if need be.   Just a safety thing.
3. Be pro-active!  See the accident before it happens.  Spot danger before an injury.  Stay alert!  One child I babysit for said to me, ”You’re just like my grandma.  She sees danger everywhere!”  Haha.  That was funny, but it’s true that I’d rather be overly protective (and yes, maybe slightly paranoid) but that’s better than being laid back and unprepared if an accident or something does occur.
4. Consider scheduling a time to get together with the family you are going to babysit for before you actually babysit them.  That way you can meet the children and get to know them a little bit ahead of time, and they will feel more comfortable with you then once you get there later.
5. Listen attentively when the parents are giving instructions.  Ask them to write a list down if necessary.  I know when I babysit I usually always ask this, (I’m visual and I sometimes forget if I don’t have them written down) and it shows the parents that you take your job seriously.  Repeat the instructions back to the parent so you know you are both on the same page.
6. Remember, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions!  This is something parents look for in sitters.  Especially if it’s the first time you are babysitting for the family, you want the parents to show you the all the ropes around the place so you have everything down for future reference.
7. Learn about the child.  Ask about their likes and dislikes…They love to know you are interested in what they have to say, and it makes them feel special.
8. Engage in the child’s game.  Show him/her that you are there to have fun and play with them, instead of just watching.  You’re not getting paid to only sit around.
9. Remember, you’re not the friend, you’re the babysitter.  Of course, get involved and play with the children – who doesn’t want to be known as ”the fun babysitter”?  But, one thing to keep in mind, is that there is a time when too much, may be too much.  If you find yourself all too often getting down at “their level”, they will start seeing you as their playmate instead of the one in charge, and you may even find it harder to get them to listen and obey when you want them to. 
10. Keep the television off.  No parent wants their kids in front of the TV all day. It’s that simple.  I’ve  heard stories of past sitters from parents, who, upon returning to their house find their kids zonked in front of the television and the sitter on her cell phone.  Is that what parents expect from the typical babysitter?  When it comes to the television, unless the parents specifically tell me I can turn it on, I never do, and I have never needed to.  The parents are very thankful for that.
11. Put together a “surprise bag” you can bring when you go babysitting.  I did this the first couple years I started babysitting and the kids just loved it!  Ideas for your “surprise bag” can include anything from fun craft supplies and stickers, to puppets and books…anything that you think the kids would be interested in.  They will always look forward to what “surprise” you will bring next time.
12. Go to www.crayola.com for some great craft ideas for the kids!
13. There have been times when I have gone to babysit, only to arrive to a house full of sick children!  Yikes!  So, what to do?  Well, other than keeping your hands clean, it can sometimes be difficult to keep the kids accountable with washing their hands.  Here’s the solution: Make a “Clean Hands are Happy Hands” chart.  First, get together some sheets of paper (one per child), crayons and a pencil, and some stickers.  Trace both hands of the child on the paper, and write above: “Clean Hands are Happy Hands”.  Then let them go color it.  After, tape the sheets to the back of the bathroom door and explain to the kids, that every time they wash their hands, they get to put a sticker on their hand washing chart.  And let me tell you, I have never seen kids so anxious to wash their hands throughout the day!  It really works!
14. Understand the children.  Though some children may act out in ways that can be very frustrating and stressful for you, try to understand why they are doing it.  No, I am not saying to withhold correcting them when they act up, but if you think they may be lacking attention or something else is bothering them and causing them to act the way they are, talk to them about it.  Be caring and conscious of what the kids are feeling.  Obviously though, if they are just plain hard to handle or naughty, you may just want to kindly decline the next job offer. 
15. Be sincere.  Take the time to really show the children how much you care, by expressing interest even in the small things and giving sincere praise and encouragement when they’ve accomplished something. 
16. Be the story teller.  Kids love stories!  Every time I babysit, the children beg for me to tell them more of those funny, embarrassing, adventurous stories of when I was a kid.  They are so interested to hear, and get so excited when they can relate! 
17. Be sure to pick up the toys and put away the things you took out while you were there with the kids!  Parents don’t want to come home to a messy house, especially if the mess wasn’t there when they left.
18. Be helpful!  Parents are so appreciative when you go out of your way to do a little something extra.  Sweeping the floor, cleaning up scattered toys, wiping down the counters/table or tidying up the pillows are some small ways to bless the families you babysit for, and it shows your responsibility as the sitter. 
19. Another idea to try that will be helpful for the parents and fun for the kids is this: get the children together and start a “clean up race”.  Get the kids excited to clean as a surprise for their parents, and help them tidy up their own rooms.  Work together to make their beds, organize the book shelves, pick up toys…etc.  The kids will be so proud to show their parents afterwords, and the parents are very thankful!
20. If possible, teach the kids something new!  The alphabet, a fun song, a riddle, a math problem, a Bible verse, a game…etc.  The kids will be so excited to show their parents once they get home. 
21. If a child is begging to do something that you know the parents already said no to, explain to the child why they can’t, then try to distract.  It’s not that difficult to get a child playing and occupied with something else.  Especially if you get all excited yourself and show the child that what you are doing is fun.
22. Temper tantrums.  What to do?  The best thing is to just let it go.  If the child is screaming over something you already said no to or something of that sort, don’t try to make up for it with bribes or a treat.  Be kind, calm, and ignore.  Most kids will eventually die down after they come to realize that you aren’t going to give in.
23. Last but not least, be a good example to the kids you are babysitting, glorify God in everything, and be the best babysitter you can possibly be!

Filed under: Babysitting, FYI's Tagged: | babysitter, Babysitting, best babysitter, children, cleaning, encouragement, instructions, job, mess, parents, stories, surprise bag, tantrums, television