2torial #0865:
Learn2 Be a Good Babysitter

Get paid to play

Flexible and fun, babysitting is the job of choice for millions of teenagers (and many adults). For a lot of older kids, it's their first chance to learn job responsibility and earn their own money.

Babysitters will be in demand as long as parents need time to themselves, and good ones are routinely offered more work than they can handle. If being a superstar babysitter appeals to you, read on. We'll tell you how to get your first job, what to expect when you get there, and much more.

Take a few minutes to consider if babysitting is for you.

Do you like children? Are babies and small children interesting and fun to be around, or do you think they're too demanding? If you don't genuinely like kids, the job won't be easy or fun--for you or the children.

Do you have experience? Maybe you like kids in theory but haven't had to take care of them. Volunteering to help babysit at a church or temple, day camp, or your local YMCA will teach you what to do with kids, and whether you like the work.

Do your parents approve? Your folks may be concerned that if you start babysitting you'll fall behind in your schoolwork, or you won't be available for family time. Talk with them about their concerns, and try to come up with a compromise (perhaps limit the number of jobs you'll take, and review how you're doing after a few months).

Do you have time? Babysitting (like any job) takes time away from other activities, like homework, practice for arts or sports, or just hanging out with friends. Consider what you might have to give up to start working, then start out slowly to see how much you can handle.

Find a job

Before you start looking for your first job, ask working babysitters about the going rate for babysitting in your neighborhood. More experienced sitters usually get more, and most sitters charge extra for more than one or two kids. Don't undervalue yourself by charging less than the going rate, and don't charge more either: You won't get much work.

Now you just have to convince people to hire you. Here are two good ways to find your first clients:

Volunteer. Volunteering to watch children at your church or temple or at the YMCA introduces you to a group of kids and their parents--potential clients. If there are kids in the group you really enjoy, approach their parents about babysitting.

Word of mouth. Put the word out among your friends and neighbors that you're looking for babysitting work. Talk to trusted adults who know lots of families with young children: for instance, your minister, family doctor, or old kindergarten teacher.

When business gets rolling, ask satisfied clients for references: They'll be good sources of new clients. Here are some others:

Advertisements. Make flyers or cards advertising your services, and post them in places where parents of young children go, like the library or a local preschool. Include your name and phone number, and be sure to ask for permission before you post it.

Babysitters' club. Ask friends who sit to pass on your name to their clients if they can't do a job. Or form a club (yep, just like in the books). Your members can advertise together and share clients: If one of you can't make it, maybe another can. If you're all good sitters, parents will be thrilled to use your club. They'll know they can get a sitter when they need one.

Note: Check with your parents before you advertise. They may not be comfortable with your posting personal information in public. If they're concerned, ask if you can advertise in familiar places, like your family's church or gym. That way, even if your parents don't know a family, they probably know someone who does.

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.

Meet the family

Try to arrive at a new client's house about 15 to 20 minutes early. You'll need to gather a lot of data before the parents leave.

Get the facts. Parents on their way out can be frazzled. If they don't have this information together for you, ask for it:

• Numbers where you can reach them (including cell phone)

• Emergency numbers: fire, police, pediatrician, emergency room, poison control center, rescue squad, neighbors, and taxi

• Location of first aid and emergency supplies (fire extinguishers, flashlight, batteries, candles, and so on). Make sure the house's address and phone number are next to the phone, so you can tell emergency workers where you are if necessary.

• Tour the house, so you know where the childrens' rooms and bathroom are. Ask how to work locks and any alarm system.

Learn the rules. Now is your chance to find out the parents' expectations about a number of things:

• Television: Can the kids watch television or videos? For how long, and what programs? Can they play video or computer games? Do the parents mind if you watch television after the kids go to bed?

• Games: Can you take the kids out in the yard or to the park to play? Are there any games and toys they especially like? Are there places they aren't allowed to play?

• Food: When and what should they eat, and what can't they eat? Any allergies or eating problems? What can you eat?

• Baths and bed: Should you bathe the children before bed? When is bedtime? What are the bedtime rituals (tooth brushing, face washing, stories, nightlights)? Can they have snacks or drinks close to bedtime?

• Medication: Does a child take any medication? When? How is it administered?

• Pets: Should you feed any pets, or let them out or in? Can the pets sleep with the children?

• People: Are the parents expecting any visitors or telephone calls? Can other children come over and play, or can the kids you're sitting go to a friend's house (find out which friend, and where they live).

Meet the kids. When you enter a family's home, children may start crying--your arrival means mom and dad are going away. When they do leave, more trauma can ensue. Stay calm and don't take it personally. Reassure the children that their parents will be back, and start playing with something (like blocks, cars, or dolls) where they can see you. Soon enough, curiosity should conquer their tears.

Play with the kids

Some parents (and children) don't mind if you park the kids in front of the television and let the Lion King do the sitting. However, it's much more fun for everyone if you interact with the kids, play games with them, read to them, or help them with their own projects.

Playing is a great way to build rapport. Little kids look up to older kids--they want to spend time with you and get your attention and approval. They're also more likely to obey you if they see you're interested in them.

Babies. Babies sleep a lot: You'll often find them in bed or nearly ready for it when you arrive. When they're awake, tiny babies (two months and under) mostly eat and digest; the world is still too new for them to understand playing.

Older babies (three months to a year) are very curious about everything. They love colors, music, and human faces, and they like to grab things and put them in their mouths. Rock them, sing, talk, make silly faces, and give them simple colorful toys. Keep them away from sharp objects, and make sure not to give them anything smaller than their fist, or they might swallow it or choke.

Toddlers. Little kids, ages one to three, move around fearlessly, so they can be quite a handful. They're starting to walk and run, and around age two they're talking (though you may not understand much of what they say). They often can't amuse themselves yet, so read and talk to them, draw and color, and do simple crafts like modeling clay or making paper hats (see 2torial #0599: Make a Paper Hat).

Toddlers are known to say "no" a lot, and some throw tantrums. This is not "bad" behavior, they're just testing the limits of what they can do. To avoid getting into a power struggle with them, try not to ask yes or no questions (like, "Do you want to have dinner now?"). If they throw a tantrum, don't try to argue them out of it. Calmly play with something else nearby; they'll most likely stop crying fairly soon and come to see what you're doing.

Older kids. Children ages four and up frequently have their own ideas about what they want to do. If you're caring for more than one child, they'll often amuse each other. Help them with their projects if they want; otherwise just stay nearby. If they want to play with you, try cards, board games, play acting, and books, or practice shooting baskets or throwing a baseball. Don't let kids play too rough, or otherwise do anything that seems dangerous to you.

Play safe. Whatever you do, don't let the kids out of sight or earshot. Kids can hurt themselves in an instant, and small ones don't yet understand what's dangerous. It's your job to stay alert to their surroundings and keep them safe.

Deal with meals and bedtime

Follow parents' instructions for what the kids can eat, and when, and when they should go to bed.

Some general guidelines are:

• Feed kids simple foods, like cereal, sandwiches, or scrambled eggs.

• Seat them only when the food is ready, so they don't get too restless.

• Don't play games with kids while they're eating--it can distract them from actually eating.

• If they've eaten something but don't want to finish their meal, trying to force them probably won't get you far. Tell the parents later how much the kids ate and ask how they'd like you to handle this in the future.

• Be gentle but firm about bedtime. Turn off the television and help the kids get ready.

• If they keep getting up, keep leading them calmly back to bed. Eventually they'll stay there. Again, tell the parents about any problem and ask how they'd like you to handle it next time.

About babies. If you don't really know how to feed, bathe, and diaper babies, you should take a class before you're left alone in charge of one. Alternatively, ask an experienced sitter or a baby's parent to show you what to do. Just be sure you're clear on everything they show you, and that you're comfortable doing it all yourself.

Stay safe

Keeping the kids safe is part of everything else you do with them. Mostly, this means staying aware of where they are, especially near streets and in public places. Above all, never leave children alone near water, even if it's just for two seconds and there's hardly any water. Kids can drown in buckets or toilets as well as in swimming pools or bathtubs.

Medical emergencies. If you take a class in first aid and CPR, you'll be better equipped than most adults to handle injuries. If you don't take a class, get a book and learn how to deal with some of the most common medical emergencies kids experience, including:

• Animal bites

• Choking

• Major cuts and burns

• Poison

• Sprains and fractures

You should also know how to deal with smaller problems, like insect bites, splinters, vomiting, bloody noses, and minor cuts and burns.

Disaster. If a fire breaks out, get the kids and yourself out of the house immediately. Don't stop to use the phone, but call the fire department from a neighbor's house. If an earthquake, tornado, or other natural disaster happens, keep calm and take the children with you to a safe place.

Security. Unless the parents have told you someone is expected and it's OK to let them in, don't open the door to anyone. Try not to let phone callers know you're alone in the house with the children. Outside the house, be cautious around strangers.

The chances that a child you're watching will get injured or dangerously ill are small. Fires, natural disasters, or break-ins are even more unlikely. Don't worry too much about these things, but be prepared. If they do happen, stay calm. You'll be able to think better if you don't panic, and the kids need to feel you're in control (even if you don't feel you are).

Your safety. On the job or off, your safety is as important as the kids'. Don't go home alone after dark, even if it's a fairly short walk. If a parent comes home drunk, don't accept a ride. Call your parents and ask them to pick you up.

Don't ever be afraid to call for help if you think you need it. The kids' parents and neighbors, your parents, fire and police squads, and hospitals and doctors are all interested in the same thing: keeping you and the kids you're caring for safe, sound, and happy.

Finally, don't let the responsibility of babysitting overshadow the fun parts. The more you babysit, the better you'll get at it. And if you're reliable but still know how to play, parents and kids alike will love you from the start.

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