
	Intro: Before you begin Step 1: Find a job Step 2: Talk to the parents Step 3: Meet the family Step 4: Play with the kids Step 5: Deal with meals and bedtime Step 6: Stay safe








	Consider meeting a family before you sit for them. You can see if you and the kids like each other, get to know their house, and watch how the family does things (including skills like feeding or bathing a baby). If you like, bring one of your parents to the first meeting. This is no reflection on your maturity, and the clients shouldn't mind. If something comes up and you can't make it to a job, call as soon as you know. Never just fail to show up, and try to avoid canceling at the last minute--those parents won't hire you again, and they'll spread the bad word.

2torial #0865:
Learn2 Be a Good Babysitter (continued)

Talk to the parents

You get the call: Mrs. Martinez wants to know if you can sit next Friday. Before you blurt out "Yes!" (or say, "Um, yeah, sure, I guess"), you need to do a few things:

Check your calendar. Keep a calendar with all your commitments written on it: babysitting gigs, band practice, Aunt Mary's birthday party, and the homecoming game. Checking it means you won't agree to a job for a time when you already have plans.

Ask questions. Find out the job's hours. If this would be your first time sitting for a family, find out:

How many kids there are; their names and ages
What you'll be expected to do (feeding, bathing, taking the kids out, helping with their homework)
The family's phone number and address (get directions, and, if it's far, ask if they can pick you up as well as take you home)

Answer questions. New clients will want some information from you, including:

Your rate: It's best to agree up front on your hourly rate. If new clients think it's too high, make a decision. You may prefer to pass on a job than to add a cut-rate client to your list.

Your curfew: Tell the client now if you must be home by a certain time.

Your references: Be prepared to give the names and numbers of one or two families for whom you've worked, or whom know you well. Check with these families first to be sure it's OK to give out their phone numbers.