what do parents look for most in a babysitter?

Question

Im going to start babysitting soon and I would like some tips from mothers who hire young 12-14 year old babysitters. I can tell you that I'm responsible and very mature, I have red cross training in child and infant cpr and first aid, I have been a mother's helper for a couple years, and I have took classes on babysitting. What do you wan't most in the babysitter you hire?

Answer 1

red cross training is excellent. get a couple of grown up references, from parents friends, older folks you know who will say you are responsible, have common sense, etc. When I was your age and babysitting, I got an old small suitcase and filled it with supplies: a simple magic trick or 2, construction paper, markers, stencils, chalk, pipe cleaners, glue sticks, stickers, craft supplies... a couple of kids books, some silly knock knock jokes ( you can get from internet and print out!) I called it my ' baby sitters kit' but you can call it 'the box of surprises, the magic box, " whatever. I got ALL the best jobs! parents loved my creativity. you could have an "under age 3" box and "over age 3 box" , avoiding choke hazards for the little ones. you can get the supplies for free by making a poster and putting it wherever your town allows, "teen looking for odds and ends of crafts for my babysitter kit" or "teen seeks unused toddler toys : soft balls, board books etc" for babysitter kit... then also have contact info in case any parents think hey, what a creative kid, I want to hire her!!! Also, microsoft works program has in one of the database lists a parent contact info sheet I think. or you could make one, with places for parents names, where they will be, doctor info, allergies, bed times, all the pertinant info. make a bunch and give them to the parents to fill out before you go and babysit. I'm now in my 40's, with 2 boys, and would hire someone with your qualifications, especially if you had a babysitter kit!!!
good luck!!

Answer 2

Sounds like you have the safety aspect covered. I can tell you what I don't like in my babysitter's. I don't like to come home to someone who has not helped maintain the messes because they were too busy on the phone or watching t.v. while my child was in the other room playing. Babysitting once is easy. Getting repeat business is more of a challenge. The kid can help decide that for you sometimes. In my experience, its always good to come with something special that the child hasn't played before or is new to them, like a board game or cards or a coloring book. This way you are interacting with them, showing the parents thats your intentions and getting the childs attention from the start. Also, depending on the age, all kids like to sing and dance. Get a Kids Bop cd or kids music that you can play for them and dance with them. If you pack a backpack with different, inexpencive age appropriate things and take it with you each time, the kids will look forward to the next time you come and be more willing to listen to you at bed time as you have worn them out playing! :)

Answer 3

Well I do occasionally hire young sitters especially if they live in the neighborhood and thus have "Mother" backup in case of emergencies. One of my favorite young babysitters regularly plays with my children and enjoys teaching them new things and is very on top of what is going on with them. The fact that you've been a mother's helper should go a long way towards getting you your first jobs. The mother(s) you've helped should offer to give you some excellent references. Make sure they know that you want to go solo and are looking for jobs. If you volunteer in your church's nursery the parents who use that facility will often hire workers from there for jobs too. I know because I run our church's nursery and people are always seeking my list of phone #'s and for inside info on the girls.

Answer 4

They want to know that their child will be safe while they're out and respect shown for the rules of the house. To know that their child is going to be interacting with another person and not be sat in front of the t.v. or have company of their own over also. It's good if the babysitter tidies up the house as well (after the kids are done playing) and that the dishes are done (that were used while you were there).

Answer 5

I would hire you just because you've displayed the intiutive to get yourself qualitified first.

I also look for a babysitter to come prepared. I love the fact that our babysitter come with a book if we are going to be our late. I know that after our kids are in bed, she's reading and not talking to her friends on the phone. She will also bring a special book to read to our kids (usually a very silly one like 'the gas we pass' or 'everybody poops' which my kids find very funny and the think they are getting away with something).

Never talk on the phone to friends (the kids will always tell their parents), never use their computers, never do, say or watch anything your wouldn't want the parents to know about. Kids tell it all and parents talk to each other.

Good luck, it sound's like you'll make a wonderful sitter!

Answer 6

Someone who is kind to the children

Someone who doesn't get "creative" and just sticks to the plan the parents lay out. For example, if I ask someone to give my child the sandwich and apple and juice I left for them, I'd like to know the sitter didn't decide to do something different like have cookies before the meal, and then have the meal "whenever". If I leave word that I don't want playing near the fireplace while I'm out I'd want the sitter to stick with that type of thing. (I mean so my two-year-old won't fall on the bricks and get a head injury while I'm not. There wouldn't be a fire in it.)

Someone who will not bring in guests or smoke.

Someone who respects my home and doesn't leave a horrendous mess everywhere.

Mostly, someone who just sits with my children, plays with or reads to them, tell them "while your Mom isn't here you can't be doing that" (certain activities I'd specify) and is sensible.

Answer 7

I baby sit alto, so what I think parents look for most in a babysitter is that you respect there stuff. They have to know that they can trust you. And if anything goes wrong you can try to fix it. If not phone them and tell them the problem. Also one more thing NEVER EVER leave kids alone in a house by themselves if you need to go out, take them with you. If the parents found out that you left them alone, there will be some trouble,

Answer 8

I am not a mother (don't even play one on TV) and my child rearing days are somewhat in the past---but---I have a number of people that I know that have the need and use babysitters on a regular basis and it seems to always come down to this one thing over and over again-----trustworthiness
Having the ability to take on a task---take the requests of the people you're doing the job for---and fullfilling those requests to the letter and being steadfast in the job !!!

Answer 9

the biggest thing i would look at is your personality, i would want to see how you react to a screaming baby or a misbehaving child. you sound like you are very qualified and a good babysitter. but honestly though, i wouldnt hire someone under the age of 15, thats just my thing, even though you may be mature, to me 12-14 yrs old is not old enough unless if an adult is in the very near proximity of you.

Answer 10

Wow. I'm impressed that you have taken so many classes to prepare yourself! Good for you! I think that in looking for someone to care for my kids, I look for responsibility (knowing how to follow the house rules and doing what I have asked), safety for my kids (and you have that down) and that you know how to entertain them (without the TV). I want someone who is going to play with them and be their friend, as well as be able to carry out the plans for the evening, such as feeding them dinner and giving a bath. I also want a babysitter to be able to know when they are in over their head and need help.... they should feel comfortable calling me if there is a situation they can't handle, or be willing to call the police/fire department/ambulance. The classes that you have had and the experience you have are definite pluses... I would hire someone with your experience.