13 months and 3 years!! HELP!!!?

Question

I babysit a 13 month old little girl and a 3 year old little boy. The boy really wants to be played with all the time. but when I am feeding the girl, he wants to play too. and I have to care about the baby sometimes too but then the boy starts to say i hate him and stuff. And sometimes I dont
pay enough attention to him and grrrr it is sooo annoying!!!!

Answer 1

The three-year-old sounds like a typical toddler who sees himself as the star of the show and doesn't understand why you would not be spending all your time with him! What you can do when you're feeding the baby is either give the older boy a little 'task' to help you with such as picking out snacks for you both or give him what's needed to make you both a sandwich (no knives, of course!) as there's nothing like being a helper to make a toddler feel like a 'big kid'.

You can also play 'Eye Spy' or something with him while feeding the baby so you're keeping him occupied but at the same time giving the infant her food. You could also go off little picnics in the garden so feeding the baby isn't such a chore for him but it's also a nice way of letting her have some fun too.

Answer 2

You should discuss the boy's feelings* with the parents. They need to be aware of this. Maybe this job is not for you. It sounds as if the parents need to seek professional help for the older child.

In the meantime, do not let the boy out of your sight. Three year olds have no concept of other's feelings. And he could harm the baby. Maintain your position as the authority figure. But be gentle. Don't scold him. Instead, tell him what a big boy he is and give him an opportunity to "help" in caring for the baby. Start small and don't leave him alone with the baby. Say, "I wonder if you could bring me the baby's ________." Give him a chore to do when you are attending to the baby. Don't let him think of it as a chore, but as something a big boy can do.

***Edit--my apologies, I misread the remark about how the boy says he thinks you hate him. Either way, you should probably discuss it with the parents.

Answer 3

The 3 year old should know that the 13 month old needs more attention than him, or something bad could happen to the baby. She needs more care and help than the 3 year old. And if not, then you can probobly figure something out to do with both kids.

Answer 4

I would say put some cartoons on and give him a time frame on when you'll play with and when you'll feed the baby he sounds like he's a little jealous. Ask him if he would like to help feed the baby he's not use to being 2nd.. Include him in things that invole the baby

Answer 5

Show him there is a time to play and not a time to play. First try allowing him to hold the his baby sister aiding him in his experience. Explain to him that's how you use to hold him. Try to get him to understand he had his place there and it's his sisters turn, that it's time for him to move to bigger and better things. Kids sway easily and there is always a different approach you can take get him to see they are loved equally. Takes your time and use patience, don't get frustrated it makes worse. But if all else fails show him you mean business and put some cow skin on that hide.

Answer 6

ok, i watch my four year old cousin all the time, and my little sitser, who is just under a year,and while, im feeding the little baby, i get the four year old to eat , too, then i put the lil baby to a nap, and i ask the four year old if he wants to, and if he doesnt ill play with him

Answer 7

Sometimes little kids feel unloved when the new baby arrives.When you put the girl down for her nap do extra special things with him watch a movie/color/ect... so he knows he still special.

Answer 8

play a game where all three of you can play together and when the baby sleeps go outside and play with the boy
also when you feed her fed him

Answer 9

try to play with both of them or just quit